New International Version
2 Corinthians 12:10
10That 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.
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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Context of 2 Corinthians 12:10
8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 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. 11I have made a fool of myself, but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. 12I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, 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 1:4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
- 2 Corinthians 4:8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
- 2 Corinthians 7:4I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.
- Acts 5:41The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
- Romans 5:3Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
- Romans 8:35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
- Philippians 1:29For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,
- Philippians 2:17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
- Colossians 1:24Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
- James 1:2Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
- 1 Peter 1:6In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
- 1 Peter 4:13But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.
- 2 Corinthians 4:5For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
- 2 Corinthians 10:18For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
- Luke 6:22Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject 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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