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2 Corinthians 12:9-10 KJV
2 Corinthians · chapter 12 · verses 9–10
9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.2 Corinthians 12:9-10 · King James Version
What 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 means
Paul asked three times and got this instead. Then watch what he does with it: he says he will glory in the very thing he wanted removed. The last line is not a paradox for its own sake. Strength that depends on you ends where you end, and his does not.
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2 Corinthians 12:9-10 in context
7And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
11I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
12Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 12 →
Commentary
Cross references
- Philippians 4:13
- 2 Corinthians 12:10
- Isaiah 40:29-31
- Ephesians 3:16
- Joshua 1:9
- Isaiah 43:2
- Hebrews 4:16
- 1 Corinthians 10:13
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
- Ephesians 6:10
- Romans 5:3
- 2 Corinthians 13:4
Key words (Strong's)
- persecutionsdiōgmospersecutionG1375 →
- necessitiesanagkēnecessity, imposed either by the circumstances, or by law of duty regarding to one s…G318 →
- sufficientarkeōto be possessed of unfailing strength, to be strong, to suffice, to be enough, to defend…G714 →
- reproacheshybrisinsolence, impudence, pride, haughtiness, a wrong springing from insolence, an injury…G5196 →
- distressesstenochōrianarrowness of place, a narrow place, metaph. dire calamity, extreme afflictionG4730 →
- strengthdynamisstrength power, ability, inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its…G1411 →
- weaknessastheneiawant of strength, weakness, infirmity, of the body, its native weakness and frailty…G769 →
- pleasureeudokeōit seems good to one, is one's good pleasure, think it good, choose, determine, decide…G2106 →
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Here we may observe, I. The narrative the apostle gives of the favours God had shown him, and the honour he had done him; for doubtless he himself is the man in Christ of whom he speaks. Concerning this we may take notice, 1.
— Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on verses 1-10