Are apostles are very strong men. Both in ancient times and current latter day times. You also keep using the wrong word, religion. No, I don't think he was there to create a religion. He was there to establish his "CHURCH" organization. That's why he called the 12 Apostles, the 70 and other groups of his disciples. He didn't come to walk the earth with his message. He came to organize a group of disciples to take the correct doctrine, commandments and ordinances to the four corners of the earth. That means to as many countries as possible around the world.
Now, the Apostles were meek men. Not weak men. Meek men are leaders who with the Holy Ghost spread his Gospel and organized churches (Wards and Stakes) to where they could get to. It's not your place to judge their strength or weaknesses as many left their families to do missionary work. They left their jobs to make money as well. They were actually very strong men as most met a truly awful ways to die. Something you could never do as you truly are a weak person.