Christian Standard Bible
2 Corinthians 12:10
10So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10 in other versions
- King James Version (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.
- New International Version (NIV)That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- English Standard Version (ESV)For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Context of 2 Corinthians 12:10
8Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 11I have been a fool; you forced it on me. You ought to have commended me, since I am not in any way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. 12The signs of an apostle were performed with unfailing endurance among you, including signs and wonders and miracles.
Read all of 2 Corinthians 122 Corinthians 12:10 word by word
διὸ εὐδοκῶ ἐν ἀσθενείαις, ἐν ὕβρεσιν, ἐν ἀνάγκαις, ἐν διωγμοῖς καὶ στενοχωρίαις, ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ· ὅταν γὰρ ἀσθενῶ τότε δυνατός εἰμι.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Thereforeδιόdio · thereforeG1352
- I take pleasureεὐδοκέωeudokeō · to delightG2106
- inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
- infirmitiesἀσθένειαastheneia · weakness: weakG769
- reproachesὕβριςhubris · mistreatmentG5196
- necessitiesἀνάγκηanagkē · necessityG318
- persecutionsδιωγμόςdiōgmos · persecutionG1375
- distressesστενοχωρίαstenochōria · hardshipG4730
- forὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
- Christ’s sakeΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547
- forγάρgar · forG1063
- whenὅτανhotan · when(-ever)G3752
- I am weakἀσθενέωastheneō · be weak: weakG770
- thenτότεtote · thenG5119
- am Iεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
- strongδυνατόςdunatos · ableG1415
Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 12:10
- 2 Corinthians 1:4He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
- 2 Corinthians 4:8We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair;
- 2 Corinthians 7:4I am very frank with you; I have great pride in you. I am filled with encouragement; I am overflowing with joy in all our afflictions.
- Acts 5:41Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be treated shamefully on behalf of the Name.
- Romans 5:3And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance,
- Romans 8:35Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
- Philippians 1:29For it has been granted to you on Christ’s behalf not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,
- Philippians 2:17But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
- Colossians 1:24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for his body, that is, the church.
- James 1:2Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,
- 1 Peter 1:6You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials
- 1 Peter 4:13Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23Are they servants of Christ? I’m talking like a madman — I’m a better one: with far more labors, many more imprisonments, far worse beatings, many times near death.
- 2 Corinthians 4:5For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’s sake.
- 2 Corinthians 10:18For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends.
- Luke 6:22Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander your name as evil because of the Son of Man.
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12:10
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 10Therefore I take pleasure - I not only endure them patiently, but am pleased when they occur; for I do it for Christ's sake - on his account; for on his account I suffer. For when I am weak - most oppressed with trials and afflictions, then am I strong; God supporting my mind with his most powerful influences, causing me to rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 10Therefore I take pleasure - Since so many benefits result from trials; since my afflictions are the occasion of obtaining the favor of Christ in so eminent a degree, I rejoice in the privilege of suffering. There is often real pleasure in affliction, paradoxical as it may appear. Some of the happiest persons I have known are those who have been deeply afflicted; some of the purest joys which I have witnessed have been manifested on a sick-bed, and in the…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-10Verses 7-10 The apostle gives an account of the method God took to keep him humble, and to prevent his being lifted up above measure, on account of the visions and revelations he had. We are not told what this thorn in the flesh was, whether some great trouble, or some great temptation. But God often brings this good out of evil, that the reproaches of our enemies help to hide pride from us. If God loves us, he will keep us from being exalted above…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7-10We do not know what Paul's thorn in the flesh was (see Numbers 33:55; Ezekiel 28:24; Hosea 2:6). We only know it was meant to keep him humble, to burst his pride. It was a messenger from Satan, meaning something or someone evil, so Paul asked the Lord to remove it. The Lord replied each time, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." Paul's weakness allowed Christ's power to work through him by God's grace. Paul accepted his suffering…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1010. take pleasure in--too strongly. Rather as the Greek, "I am well contented in." infirmities--the genus. Two pairs of species follow, partly coming from "Satan's messenger," partly from men. reproaches--"insults." when--in all the cases just specified. then--then especially. strong--"powerful" in "the power of Christ" (2Co 12:9; 2Co 13:4; He 11:34).Read the comment
Topics related to 2 Corinthians 12:10
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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