2 Corinthians 12:10 BSB

2 Corinthians 12:10

That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

BSB

Parallel translations (2) ▾

ASV

Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

KJV

Therefore 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.

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Commentary

3 voices

Basil of Caesarea

HOMILY 20 ON PSALM 59 (379)

Not in the amount of money, not in the pride of power, not in the height of glory is victory gained, but the Lord freely gives his help to those who seek him through excessive affliction. Such was Paul, who made his afflictions his boast. Therefore he was able to say, "When I am weak, then I am strong." … Do you see where affliction leads you? To hope that does not disappoint..

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

He does not mean his sinful infirmities (those we have reason to be ashamed of and grieved at), but he means his afflictions, his reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses for Christ's sake,

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

This is a Christian paradox: when we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; when we see ourselves weak in ourselves, then we go out of ourselves to Christ, and are qualified to receive strength from him, and experience most of the supplies of divine strength and grace.

Voices on this verse

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Original language & word study

20 tagged words

Original	Transliteration	Meaning	Word study
διὸ	dio	Therefore	G1352 →
εὐδοκῶ	eudokō	I take pleasure	G2106 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
ἀσθενείαις,	astheneiais	weaknesses,	G769 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
ὕβρεσιν,	hubresin	insults,	G5196 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
ἀνάγκαις,	anagkais	hardships,	G318 →
ἐν	en	in	G1722 →
διωγμοῖς	diōgmois	persecutions	G1375 →
καὶ	kai	and	G2532 →
στενοχωρίαις,	stenochōriais	difficulties	G4730 →
ὑπὲρ	huper	for	G5228 →
Χριστοῦ·	Christou	Christ;	G5547 →
ὅταν	hotan	when	G3752 →
γὰρ	gar	for	G1063 →
ἀσθενῶ	asthenō	I may be weak	G770 →
τότε	tote	then	G5119 →
δυνατός	dunatos	strong	G1415 →
εἰμι.¶	eimi	I am.	G1510 →

Rare words are the text's own signal of a deliberate thread: the fewer the occurrences, the more the places it appears belong together.

The walk

The walk8

Where the connections lead

Follow this verse’s cross-references two steps out. Each card is a verse this one points to, and beneath it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several different paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it. Every stop shows its own words, and every stop is a page.

Through
2 Corinthians 12:9
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of…
leads to
- Philippians 4:13
  I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
- Isaiah 40:29–31
  He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak.
- Ephesians 3:16
  I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,
Through
James 1:2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,
leads to
- James 1:12
  Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9–10
  But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of…
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
- 1 Peter 1:6–8
  In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials
Through
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
leads to
- Joshua 1:9
  Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
  Reached by 2 independent paths from here.
- Isaiah 40:31
  But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

Featured studies on this passage

The Ecstasy of Saint Paul — Nicolas Poussin

On 2 Corinthians 12:10

Power Made Perfect in Weakness — 2 Corinthians 12:7–10

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Walks through 2 Corinthians 12

2 Corinthians: the Study Guide

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About 2 Corinthians

The Crown of Thorns — Gustave Doré (engraving, public domain)

2 Corinthians: the study guide →Read chapter 12 →The featured study →

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01Commentary

The record, by era

Voices on this verse

02Original language & word study

03The walk

Where the connections lead

04Related verses

05Featured studies on this passage

06About 2 Corinthians

The record, by era

Where the connections lead

Commentary

Original language & word study

The walk

Related verses

Featured studies on this passage

About 2 Corinthians