New King James Version
2 Corinthians 12:10
10Therefore 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.
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 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
8Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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. 11I have become a fool in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing. 12Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
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 tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
- 2 Corinthians 4:8We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
- 2 Corinthians 7:4Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.
- Acts 5:41So they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name.
- Romans 5:3And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
- Romans 8:35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
- Philippians 1:29For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
- Philippians 2:17Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.
- Colossians 1:24I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,
- James 1:2My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
- 1 Peter 1:6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
- 1 Peter 4:13but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.
- 2 Corinthians 11:23Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.
- 2 Corinthians 4:5For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.
- 2 Corinthians 10:18For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.
- Luke 6:22Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake.
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries