2 Corinthians 12:10 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.
2 Corinthians 12:10 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.
2 Corinthians 12:10 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.
2 Corinthians 12:10 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.
2 Corinthians 12:10 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.
2 Corinthians 12 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 1:8-9 | "for we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our strength" | Suffering produces perseverance |
| Phil 4:13 | "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." | Christ's enabling power |
| 2 Cor 13:4 | "For to be sure he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power." | Christ's weakness and power |
| 2 Cor 3:5 | "Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as our own, but our sufficiency is from God." | God's sufficiency |
| Rom 5:3-5 | "suffering produces perseverance, and perseverance character" | Suffering's fruit |
| 2 Cor 11:30 | "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." | Boasting in weaknesses |
| 1 Cor 1:25 | "the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men." | God's apparent weakness |
| Gal 3:3 | "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?" | Reliance on Spirit |
| Eph 3:16 | "that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power through his Spirit" | Strength through the Spirit |
| John 15:5 | "apart from me you can do nothing." | Dependence on Christ |
| Isa 41:10 | "fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God" | God's presence |
| Ps 23:4 | "even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me" | God's presence in trial |
| Heb 4:16 | "So let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need." | Grace in time of need |
| James 1:2-4 | "consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." | Trials produce endurance |
| 1 Peter 4:12-13 | "do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something unusual is happening to you. But rejoice in so far as you share Christ's sufferings" | Rejoicing in suffering |
| Deut 7:7-8 | "The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were fewer than all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you" | God's choice regardless of human size |
| 2 Chron 16:9 | "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him." | God supports the sincere |
| Phil 3:10 | "that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death" | Sharing Christ's sufferings |
| Rom 8:17-18 | "if indeed we suffer with him, so that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." | Future glory outweighs present suffering |
| Mark 14:38 | "Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” | Flesh's weakness contrasted with Spirit's willingness |
2 Corinthians 12 verses
2 Corinthians 12 10 Meaning
When I am weak, then I am strong. This statement signifies a paradox in Christian life and ministry. It means that in moments of perceived personal weakness, vulnerability, or suffering, God's power is most fully revealed and made effective. Through acknowledging and depending on God, rather than relying on personal strength or capabilities, believers can achieve feats that would otherwise be impossible. It is in the recognition of our limitations that God's infinite strength is magnified.
2 Corinthians 12 10 Context
This verse is found in the concluding chapters of Paul's second letter to the Corinthian church. Paul is defending his apostleship against critics who questioned his authority and methods. He recounts instances of profound suffering, persecution, and weakness that he endured for the sake of the Gospel. These adversies, instead of diminishing his ministry, served to highlight the supernatural power of God at work through him. The "thorn in the flesh" he mentions earlier in the chapter (2 Cor 12:7) is the context for this assertion. This "thorn" was a source of personal suffering or limitation, and it was precisely because God did not remove it but rather provided His grace amidst it, that Paul's weakness became a vessel for Christ's power.
2 Corinthians 12 10 Word Analysis
- When (otan - ὅταν): This temporal conjunction introduces a conditional circumstance, indicating "at the time that" or "whenever." It points to specific instances or recurring situations.
- I (egō - ἐγὼ): Refers to the Apostle Paul himself, the subject of the statement.
- am (eimi - εἰμί): The present indicative of the verb "to be," indicating a state or condition of being.
- weak (asthenes - ἀσθενής): This adjective literally means "without strength" or "feeble." It encompasses physical weakness, spiritual feebleness, emotional vulnerability, and lack of personal power or ability. It can also refer to something or someone insignificant.
- then (tote - τότε): Indicates consequence or result, signifying "at that time," "therefore," or "in that case." It links the condition of weakness to the ensuing statement of strength.
- am (eimi - εἰμί): Again, the present indicative of "to be."
- strong (kratos - κράτος): This noun denotes power, might, strength, or dominion. In the New Testament, it is often used to describe the mighty power of God or Christ. Here, Paul contrasts his personal weakness with the divine strength imparted to him.
Words Group Analysis:
- "When I am weak": This phrase encapsulates a state of being humanly deficient. It speaks of acknowledging personal inability, facing adversities, and experiencing limitations. It’s an admission of utter reliance on external aid, not self-sufficiency.
- "then I am strong": This is the paradoxical outcome. The absence of human strength becomes the very channel through which divine strength operates. The personal deficit serves as the canvas for God's power to be magnificently displayed, proving that God's strength is perfected in human frailties.
2 Corinthians 12 10 Bonus Section
The concept of "strength in weakness" is a hallmark of the Christian faith. It directly confronts worldly values that exalt personal might, independence, and success. Paul's statement aligns with the example of Christ Himself, who endured suffering and the cross (a symbol of weakness and defeat to the world) but was raised by God's power. The Greek word asthenes (weak) appears frequently in Paul's letters when he speaks of his own limitations or when describing aspects of the Christian life that appear unimpressive to the world. The strength Paul refers to is kratos, a dynamic and active power that is divine in origin and application. This dynamic power is often referred to as "dynamis" (δύναμις) in other contexts of the New Testament, emphasizing its miraculous and enabling nature. This verse is a foundational principle for understanding how God works through ordinary, even seemingly incapable, individuals to achieve His extraordinary purposes.
2 Corinthians 12 10 Commentary
Paul's declaration in 2 Corinthians 12:10 is a profound spiritual truth: true strength is found not in personal capabilities but in absolute dependence on God, especially in our moments of greatest perceived weakness. Adversity, suffering, and personal shortcomings, when faced with reliance on Christ, paradoxically become conduits for God's overwhelming power. This principle underscores that God's grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in our human infirmities. Our weakness reveals our need, and our need draws down God's strength, making us more potent in our spirit than any self-reliance could achieve. It’s a call to embrace our limitations as opportunities for God’s glory to shine through us.
- Practical Application: When facing challenges, instead of feeling defeated by inadequacy, confess your weakness to God and ask for His strength to empower your response. For example, during a difficult task, acknowledging you can't do it alone allows God's strength to flow, enabling you to persevere and accomplish it. In times of personal sin or temptation, admitting your weakness to God opens the door for His restraining power and guidance.