2 Corinthians 12:9 kjv
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 nkjv
And 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.
2 Corinthians 12:9 niv
But 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.
2 Corinthians 12:9 esv
But 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9 nlt
Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.
2 Corinthians 12 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 12:9 | "My grace is sufficient for you, and my power is perfected in weakness." | Theme: God's grace and strength in weakness |
| Ex 33:11 | "The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend." | Theme: Intimacy and direct encounter with God |
| Isa 40:29 | "He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless." | Theme: God empowering the weak |
| Ps 27:1 | "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" | Theme: God's strength overcoming fear |
| Jer 1:8 | "Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you." | Theme: God's presence and deliverance |
| Matt 5:3 | "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." | Theme: Blessings for the spiritually needy |
| Matt 11:29 | "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." | Theme: Finding rest in Christ's gentleness |
| Luke 9:1 | "And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases," | Theme: Christ imparting power |
| John 15:5 | "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." | Theme: Dependence on Christ for fruitfulness |
| Acts 4:13 | "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished." | Theme: Boldness displayed by the weak |
| Rom 5:8 | "but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." | Theme: God's love manifested in sacrifice |
| Rom 8:18 | "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed in us." | Theme: Hope beyond present suffering |
| Rom 8:26 | "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." | Theme: The Spirit interceding in weakness |
| 1 Cor 1:27 | "But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong," | Theme: God using the weak to shame the strong |
| 1 Cor 1:30 | "He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption." | Theme: Christ as source of all spiritual qualities |
| 1 Cor 2:3 | "and I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling," | Theme: Paul's personal admission of weakness |
| 1 Cor 10:13 | "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." | Theme: God's faithfulness in temptation |
| 1 Cor 15:10 | "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain." | Theme: God's grace not being in vain |
| 2 Cor 10:4 | "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God to the pulling down of strongholds." | Theme: Spiritual warfare and divine power |
| 2 Cor 10:10 | "For they say, 'His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.'" | Theme: Opposition and criticism faced by Paul |
| 2 Cor 11:30 | "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness." | Theme: Boasting in weaknesses |
| 2 Cor 12:10 | "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with hardships, with persecutions, with difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." | Theme: Contentment in suffering for Christ |
| Gal 4:13 | "You know that it was because of a bodily ailment that I first preached the gospel to you," | Theme: Ministry through physical ailment |
| Gal 6:17 | "From now on let no one make trouble for me, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus." | Theme: Bearing the marks of Christ |
| Phil 4:13 | "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." | Theme: Power through Christ |
| Heb 4:16 | "Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." | Theme: Access to grace for help |
| 1 Pet 4:12 | "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you, as though something strange were happening to you." | Theme: Endurance during trials |
2 Corinthians 12 verses
2 Corinthians 12 9 Meaning
The verse conveys that Christ's power is made perfect and fully demonstrated in human weakness. It's not that the weakness itself is good, but God's strength is revealed through it. The grace and power of Christ are sufficient to sustain and empower the believer, even when they feel inadequate or frail. This divine strength becomes most apparent and effective precisely in the believer's moments of greatest personal weakness.
2 Corinthians 12 9 Context
This verse is found within the Apostle Paul's twelfth chapter of his second letter to the Corinthians. Paul is defending his apostleship, a significant portion of which is a response to criticisms and accusations from the Corinthian church. He describes extraordinary experiences, including a revelation from God. However, to prevent him from becoming conceited, Paul was given a "thorn in the flesh," a messenger of Satan to torment him. Paul prayed three times for its removal, but God's response was that His grace was sufficient and His power perfected in Paul's weakness. This is why Paul declares he will rather boast in his weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell upon him.
2 Corinthians 12 9 Word Analysis
- 'Alla (ἀλλά - allá): "But," "yet." This conjunction signals a contrast or concession. Despite the pain and limitations caused by the thorn in the flesh, something else is true.
- Moy (μου - mou): "My." Possessive pronoun indicating that the grace belongs to God.
- Hikanē (ἱκανή - hikánē): "Sufficient," "enough." It means meeting the need, adequate for the purpose.
- Sōi (σοί - soi): "To you." Personal and direct address to the individual believer.
- Estin (ἐστιν - estin): "Is." The verb "to be," indicating a state of being or reality.
- KAI (καί - kaí): "And." Connects the two clauses, linking sufficiency of grace with perfection of power.
- Dunamis (δύναμις - dýnamis): "Power," "strength," "ability," "might." It refers to inherent power or dynamic energy.
- Moy (μου - mou): "My." Possessive pronoun referring to God's power.
- En (ἐν - en): "In," "through." Indicates the sphere or context where perfection occurs.
- Astheneia (ἀσθένεια - asthéneia): "Weakness," "infirmity," "feebleness." This is a state of lacking strength, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual.
- Teleiōnetai (τελειοῦται - teleioûtai): "Is made perfect," "is completed," "is perfected." This is the passive present tense of teleióō. It suggests an ongoing process of being brought to fullness or completion, especially through overcoming obstacles.
Word Group Analysis:
- "Moy hikanē soi estin" (My grace is sufficient for you): This phrase emphasizes the absolute adequacy of God's grace. It is not just a grace, but His grace, abundant and complete for every situation the believer faces. It counters any notion that one's personal failings or circumstances might exceed God's provision.
- "Hina dunaṛmis moy en astheneia teleiōnetai" (that My power may be perfected in weakness): This clause highlights the divine strategy. God's power isn't lessened by human weakness; rather, it finds its most dramatic demonstration in and through that weakness. When humans are at their weakest, God's strength is most visible, thus glorifying Him. It suggests that weakness, paradoxically, becomes the perfect conduit for the manifestation of divine power.
2 Corinthians 12 9 Bonus Section
The concept of God's power being perfected in weakness resonates throughout Scripture. In the Old Testament, God frequently chose the seemingly weak or unlikely to accomplish His purposes (e.g., Gideon and his small army, Samson, Moses' stuttering speech). The New Testament expands on this, with Jesus himself embodying humility and suffering as a path to ultimate victory. Paul’s theology here aligns with the "upside-down" economy of God's kingdom, where humility exalts and weakness reveals strength. This teaching serves as a powerful counter-narrative to a world that often values human strength, accomplishment, and self-sufficiency above all else. It teaches humility and complete dependence on the Triune God.
2 Corinthians 12 9 Commentary
This pivotal verse offers a profound theological paradox. The Christian life is not characterized by an absence of struggle or weakness, but by the overwhelming presence of God's power within those very experiences. God's grace is not merely a cushion against suffering, but the dynamic force that enables believers to endure and even triumph through it. Paul's personal struggle with his "thorn in the flesh" serves as the immediate context, illustrating that God's response to persistent prayer for removal was not the elimination of the problem, but the provision of sufficient grace and the perfection of His power through it. This truth liberates believers from the pressure to appear strong or flawless, encouraging dependence on God and leading to a deeper reliance on His strength when they feel most vulnerable. The boasting in weaknesses is not masochism but a strategic reliance on divine intervention. When we are weak, we are open to receiving and demonstrating God's ultimate strength, making His power more apparent.
Practical Usage Examples:
- When facing a difficult task at work that feels beyond your abilities, instead of despairing, confess your inadequacy to God and trust that His strength will be made perfect in your effort.
- During a period of sickness or pain, remember that God's grace is sufficient for your endurance, and His power can be demonstrated through your peaceful acceptance and trust even in physical weakness.
- When struggling with a persistent sin or character flaw, confess it and seek God's grace, understanding that His power can be perfected even in your ongoing battle for sanctification.