2 Corinthians 11:30

If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

2 Corinthians 11:30, King James Version

2 Corinthians 11:30 in other translations

BSB	If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
WEB	If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness.
ASV	If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weakness.
YLT	if to boast it behoveth me, of the things of my infirmity I will boast;
DARBY	If it is needful to boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.
BBE	If I have to take credit to myself, I will do so in the things in which I am feeble.
Webster	If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern my infirmities.

What does 2 Corinthians 11:30 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

30. glory of ... infirmities--A striking contrast! Glorying or boasting of what others make matter of shame, namely, infirmities; for instance, his humbling mode of escape in a basket (2Co 11:33). A character utterly incompatible with that of an enthusiast (compare 2Co 12:5, 9, 10).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 30. If I must needs glory. It is unpleasant for me to boast, but circumstances have compelled me. But since I am compelled, I will not boast of my rank, or talents, but of that which is regarded by some as an infirmity.

Mine infirmities. Greek, "the things of my weakness." The word here used is derived from the same word which is rendered "weak" in 2Cor 11:29. He intends doubtless to refer here to what had preceded in his enumeration of the trials which he had endured. He had spoken of sufferings. He had endured much. He had also spoken of that tenderness of feeling which prompted him to sympathize so deeply when others suffered. He admitted that he often wept, and trembled, and glowed with strong feelings on occasions which perhaps to many would not seem to call for such strong emotions, and which they might be disposed to set down as a weakness or infirmity. This might especially be the case among the Greeks, where many philosophers, as the Stoics, were disposed to regard all sympathetic feeling, and all sensitiveness to suffering, as an infirmity. But Paul admitted that he was disposed to glory in this alone. He gloried that he had suffered so much; that he had endured so many trials on account of Christianity; and that he had a mind that was capable of feeling for others, and of entering into their sorrows and trials. Well might he do this; for there is no more lovely feature in the mind of a virtuous man, and there is no more lovely influence of Christianity than this, that it teaches us to "bear a brother's woes," and to sympathize in all the sorrows and joys of others. Philosophy and infidelity may be dissocial, cheerless, cold; but it is not so with Christianity. Philosophy may snap asunder all the cords which bind us to the living world; but Christianity strengthens these cords. Cold and cheerless atheism and scepticism may teach us to look with unconcern on a suffering world; but it is the glory of Christianity that it teaches us to feel an interest in the weal or woe of the obscurest man that lives, to rejoice in his joy and to weep in his sorrows.

(a) "will glory" 2Cor 12:5,9,10

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 30 I will glory - which concern mine infirmities - I will not boast of my natural or acquired powers; neither in what God has done by me; but rather in what I have suffered for him. Many persons have understood by infirmities what they call the indwelling sin of the apostle, and say that "he gloried in this, because the grace of Christ was the more magnified in his being preserved from ruin, notwithstanding this indwelling adversary." And to support this most unholy interpretation, they quote those other words of the apostle, 2Cor 12:9 : Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, my indwelling corruptions, that the power of Christ, in chaining the fierce lion, may rest upon me. But it would be difficult to produce a single passage in the whole New Testament where the word ασθενεια, which we translate infirmity, has the sense of sin or moral corruption. The verb ασθενεω signifies to be weak, infirm, sick, poor, despicable through poverty, etc. And in a few places it is applied to weakness in the faith, to young converts, who are poor in religious knowledge, not yet fully instructed in the nature of the Gospel; Rom 4:19; Rom 14:1, Rom 14:2. And it is applied to the works of the law, to point out their inability to justify a sinner, Rom 8:3. But to inward sin, and inward corruption it is never applied. I am afraid that what these persons call their infirmities may rather be called their strengths; the prevailing and frequently ruling power of pride, anger, ill-will, etc.; for how few think evil tempers to be sins! The gentle term infirmity softens down the iniquity; and as St. Paul, so great and so holy a man, say they, had his infirmities, how can they expect to be without theirs? These should know that they are in a dangerous error; that St. Paul means nothing of the kind; for he speaks of his sufferings, and of these alone. One word more: would not the grace and power of Christ appear more conspicuous in slaying the lion than in keeping him chained? in destroying sin, root and branch; and filling the soul with his own holiness, with love to God and man, with the mind - all the holy heavenly tempers, that were in himself; than in leaving these impure and unholy tempers, ever to live and often to reign in the heart? The doctrine is discreditable to the Gospel, and wholly antichristian.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:22-33

The apostle gives an account of his labours and sufferings; not out of pride or vain-glory, but to the honour of God, who enabled him to do and suffer so much for the cause of Christ; and shows wherein he excelled the false apostles, who tried to lessen his character and usefulness. It astonishes us to reflect on this account of his dangers, hardships, and sufferings, and to observe his patience, perseverance…

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 11:22-33 →

2 Corinthians 11:30 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

εἰeiIfG1487

καυχᾶσθαιkauchasthaito boastG2744

δεῖ,deiit behooves [me],G1163

τὰta[in] the [things]G3588

τῆςtēsof theG3588

ἀσθενείαςastheneiasweaknessG769

μουmouof mineG3165

καυχήσομαι.¶kauchēsomaiI will boast.G2744

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 11:30

2 Corinthians 12:5-11
Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. …
Proverbs 25:27
It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
1 Corinthians 2:3
And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.
Proverbs 27:2
Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
2 Corinthians 11:16-18
I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.
2 Corinthians 12:1
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
Colossians 1:24
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

must.
16-18; 12:1,11; Pr 25:27; 27:2; Jer 9:23,24
I will.
12:5-10; Col 1:24

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

2 Corinthians 11:29
Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?
2 Corinthians 11:30
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
2 Corinthians 11:31
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 11

2 Corinthians 11:30 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Si es menester gloriarse, me gloriaré yo de lo que es de mi flaqueza.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	S’il faut se glorifier, je me glorifierai dans ce qui est de mon infirmité.
German Elberfelder 1871	Wenn es gerühmt sein muß, so will ich mich dessen rühmen, was meine Schwachheit betrifft.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Si gloriari oportet, quæ infirmitatis meæ sunt, gloriabor.