2 Corinthians 12 · Verse 10

2 Corinthians 12:10

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, King James Version

2 Corinthians 12:10 in other translations

BSB	That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
WEB	Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.
ASV	Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
YLT	wherefore I am well pleased in infirmities, in damages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses--for Christ; for whenever I am infirm, then I am powerful;
DARBY	Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in straits, for Christ: for when I am weak, then I am powerful.
BBE	So I take pleasure in being feeble, in unkind words, in needs, in cruel attacks, in troubles, on account of Christ: for when I am feeble, then am I strong.
Webster	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.

What does 2 Corinthians 12:10 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

10. 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).

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

Barnes' Notes

Verse 10. Therefore I take pleasure. Since so many benefits result from trials; since my afflictions are the occasion of obtaining the favour 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 prospect of death. And I have no doubt that Paul, in the midst of all his infirmities and reproaches, had a joy above that which all the wealth and honour of the world could give. See here the power of religion. It not only supports--it comforts. It not only enables one to bear suffering with resignation, but it enables him to rejoice. Philosophy blunts the feelings; infidelity leaves men to murmur and repine in trial; the pleasures of this world have no power even to support or comfort in times of affliction; but Christianity. furnishes positive pleasure in trial, and enables the sufferer to smile through his tears.

In infirmities. In my weaknesses. 2Cor 11:30.

In reproaches. In the contempt and scorn with which I meet as a follower of Christ. 2Cor 11:21.

In necessities. In want. 2Cor 6:4, 2Cor 6:4,5.

In distresses for Christ's sake. 2Cor 6:4. In the various wants and difficulties to which I am exposed on account of the Saviour, or which I suffer in his cause.

For when I am weak, then am I strong. When I feel weak; when I am subjected to trial, and nature faints and fails, then strength is imparted to me, and I am enabled to bear all. The more I am borne down with trials, the more do I feel my need of Divine assistance, and the more do I feel the efficacy of Divine grace. Such was the promise in De 33:25, "As thy days, so shall thy strength be." So in Heb 11:34, "Who out of weakness were made strong." What Christian has not experienced this, and been able to say that when he felt himself weak, and felt like sinking under the accumulation of many trials, he has found his strength according to his day, and felt an arm of power supporting him? It is then that the Redeemer manifests himself in a peculiar manner; and then that the excellency of the religion of Christ is truly seen, and its power appreciated and felt.

(*) "infirmities" "weaknesses"

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 10 Therefore 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.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

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…

Read the full comment on 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 →

2 Corinthians 12:10 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.

διὸdioThereforeG1352

εὐδοκῶeudokōI take pleasureG2106

ἐνeninG1722

ἀσθενείαις,astheneiaisweaknesses,G769

ἐνeninG1722

ὕβρεσιν,hubresininsults,G5196

ἐνeninG1722

ἀνάγκαις,anagkaishardships,G318

ἐνeninG1722

διωγμοῖςdiōgmoispersecutionsG1375

καὶkaiandG2532

στενοχωρίαις,stenochōriaisdifficultiesG4730

ὑπὲρhuperforG5228

Χριστοῦ·ChristouChrist;G5547

ὅτανhotanwhenG3752

γὰρgarforG1063

ἀσθενῶasthenōI may be weakG770

τότεtotethenG5119

δυνατόςdunatosstrongG1415

εἰμι.¶eimiI am.G1510

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

Cross references for 2 Corinthians 12:10

2 Corinthians 12:9
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.
Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Romans 5:3
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
2 Corinthians 13:4
For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
James 1:2
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
1 Peter 1:6-7
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
2 Corinthians 6:4
But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
Luke 6:22
Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
2 Corinthians 1:4
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Acts 5:41
And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
2 Corinthians 13:9
For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.
John 15:21
But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

I take.
1:4; 4:8-10,17; 7:4; Ac 5:41; Ro 5:3; 8:35-39; Php 1:29; 2:17,18
Col 1:24; Jas 1:2; 1Pe 1:6,7; 4:13,14
in infirmities.
11:23-30
for Christ's.
4:5,11; 10:18; Lu 6:22; Joh 15:21; 1Co 4:10; Re 2:3
for when.
9; 13:4,9; Eph 6:10

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

Context

2 Corinthians 12:9
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 12:10
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 12:11
I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

Read all of 2 Corinthians 12

2 Corinthians 12:10 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Por lo cual me gozo en las flaquezas, en afrentas, en necesidades, en persecuciones, en angustias por Cristo; porque cuando soy flaco, entonces soy poderoso.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	C’est pourquoi je prends plaisir dans les infirmités, dans les outrages, dans les nécessités, dans les persécutions, dans les détresses pour Christ: car quand je suis faible, alors je suis fort.
German Elberfelder 1871	Deshalb habe ich Wohlgefallen an Schwachheiten, an Schmähungen, an Nöten, an Verfolgungen, an Ängsten für Christum; denn wenn ich schwach bin, dann bin ich stark.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Propter quod placeo mihi in infirmitatibus meis, in contumeliis, in necessitatibus, in persecutionibus, in angustiis pro Christo: cum enim infirmor, tunc potens sum.