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.
Study Note
Study Note
God's response to Paul's prayer for relief from the 'thorn in the flesh' — 'my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness' — represents one of the most counterintuitive statements in the New Testament. The identity of the 'thorn' (skolops) is unknown; ancient and modern proposals include a physical ailment, spiritual affliction, or ongoing persecution. The word 'perfect' (teleitai) means 'reaches its fullness' or 'is completed' — weakness is not despite but because of which divine power operates most effectively. Paul's response (verse 10: 'when I am weak, then I am strong') became a foundational text for Christian theologies of suffering, mystical union, and kenotic Christology.
Other Translations
And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
and He said to me, `Sufficient for thee is My grace, for My power in infirmity is perfected;' most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Christ may rest on me:
And he said to me, My grace is enough for you, for my power is made complete in what is feeble. Most gladly, then, will I take pride in my feeble body, so that the power of Christ may be on me.
Cross References
When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: …
Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt …
For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they …
He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, …
Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel …
And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of …
And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke …