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New Living Translation

2 Corinthians 12:10

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.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Faith;   Happiness;   Humility;   Joy;   Minister, Christian;   Paradox;   Paul;   Persecution;   Zeal, Religious;   Thompson Chain Reference - For Christ's Sake;   Health-Disease;   Infirmities;   Jesus' Sake, for;   Paradoxes;   Strength;   Suffering for Christ's Sake;   Suffering for Righteousness' S;   Weakness-Power;   The Topic Concordance - Strength;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Happiness of Saints in This Life;   Reviling and Reproaching;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Thistles and Thorns;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Boasting;   Chastisement;   Disease;   Healing;   Persecution;   Prayer;   Suffering;   Vision;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Corinthians, First and Second, Theology of;   Delight;   Grace;   Heal, Health;   Humility;   Prayer;   Pride;   Strong and Weak;   Weakness;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Afflictions;   Prayer;   Thorn in the Flesh;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Jacob;   Mizpah;   Paul;   Prayer;   Samuel;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Contentment;   Insult;   Persecution in the Bible;   Reproach;   Thorn in the Flesh;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Person of Christ;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Comfort;   Grace;   Name (2);   Persecution;   Reproach;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Paul;   Thorn in the Flesh;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Saul of Tarsus;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Affliction;   Infirmity;   Persecution;   Pleasure;   Sinlessness;   Wrath (Anger);  

Devotionals:

- Daily Light on the Daily Path - Devotion for December 5;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
King James Version (1611)
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christes sake: for when I am weake, then am I strong.
King James Version
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.
English Standard Version
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.
New American Standard Bible
Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
New Century Version
For this reason I am happy when I have weaknesses, insults, hard times, sufferings, and all kinds of troubles for Christ. Because when I am weak, then I am truly strong.
Amplified Bible
So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God's strength].
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions and hardships, for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Berean Standard Bible
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.
Contemporary English Version
Yes, I am glad to be weak or insulted or mistreated or to have troubles and sufferings, if it is for Christ. Because when I am weak, I am strong.
Complete Jewish Bible
Yes, I am well pleased with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties endured on behalf of the Messiah; for it is when I am weak that I am strong.
Darby Translation
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.
Easy-to-Read Version
Yes, I am glad to have weaknesses if they are for Christ. I am glad to be insulted and have hard times. I am glad when I am persecuted and have problems, because it is when I am weak that I am really strong.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproches, in necessities, in persecutions, in anguish for Christes sake: for when I am weake, then am I strong.
George Lamsa Translation
Therefore I am content with infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, and imprisonments for Christ''s sake: for when I am physically weak, then I am mentally strong.
Good News Translation
I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Lexham English Bible
Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in calamities, in persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
Literal Translation
Because of this, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in dire needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of Christ. For when I may be weak, then I am powerful.
American Standard Version
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.
Bible in Basic English
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.
Hebrew Names Version
Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Messiah's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.
International Standard Version
That is why I take such pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake, for when I am weak, then I am strong.Romans 5:3; 2 Corinthians 7:4; 13:4;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
For this cause I am willing in infirmities, in reviling, in affliction, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of the Meshiha; for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Murdock Translation
Therefore I have pleasure in infirmities, in reproach, in afflictions, in persecutions, in distresses, which are for the Messiah's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Therfore haue I delectation in infirmities, in rebukes, in necessities, in persecutions, in anguishes for Christes sake: For when I am weake, then am I strong.
English Revised Version
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.
World English Bible
Therefore 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.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Therefore I am well pleased in weaknesses, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Weymouth's New Testament
In fact I take pleasure in infirmities, in the bearing of insults, in distress, in persecutions, in grievous difficulties--for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For which thing Y am plesid in myn infirmytees, in dispisyngis, in nedis, in persecuciouns, in anguyschis, for Crist; for whanne Y am sijk, thanne Y am miyti.
Update Bible Version
Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions and distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Webster's Bible Translation
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.
New English Translation
Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
New King James Version
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.
New Life Bible
I receive joy when I am weak. I receive joy when people talk against me and make it hard for me and try to hurt me and make trouble for me. I receive joy when all these things come to me because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
New Revised Standard
Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Wherefore, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, and straits, in behalf of Christ; for, as soon as I am weak, then, am powerful.
Douay-Rheims Bible
For which cause I please myself in my infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ. For when I am weak, then am I powerful.
Revised Standard Version
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.
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Therfore have I delectacion in infirmities in rebukes in nede in persecucions in anguyshe for Christis sake. For when I am weake then am I stronge.
Young's Literal Translation
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;
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Therfore am I contente in infirmities, in rebukes, in necessities, in persecucions, in anguysshes for Christes sake: for wha I am weake, the am I stroge.
Mace New Testament (1729)
I take pleasure then in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am afflicted, then it is I have fortitude.
Simplified Cowboy Version
As a matter of fact, I'm proud of these weaknesses. I don't even care when I'm insulted or when there are rough trails. I look forward to being persecuted and having problems, because it is in these times that I am the weakest. And it is only then that I am at my most powerful.

Contextual Overview

1 This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don't know—only God knows. 3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know 4 that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell. 5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I'm not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won't do it, because I don't want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 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. 10 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.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

I take: 2 Corinthians 1:4, 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, 2 Corinthians 4:17, 2 Corinthians 7:4, Acts 5:41, Romans 5:3, Romans 8:35-39, Philippians 1:29, Philippians 2:17, Philippians 2:18, Colossians 1:24, James 1:2, 1 Peter 1:6, 1 Peter 1:7, 1 Peter 4:13, 1 Peter 4:14

in infirmities: 2 Corinthians 11:23-30

for Christ's: 2 Corinthians 4:5, 2 Corinthians 4:11, 2 Corinthians 10:18, Luke 6:22, John 15:21, 1 Corinthians 4:10, Revelation 2:3

for when: 2 Corinthians 12:9, 2 Corinthians 13:4, 2 Corinthians 13:9, Ephesians 6:10

Reciprocal: Numbers 4:44 - General Deuteronomy 3:21 - so shall Deuteronomy 11:8 - that ye may Deuteronomy 33:25 - and as thy Judges 7:11 - thine hands Judges 14:14 - Out of the eater 1 Chronicles 16:28 - glory 2 Chronicles 14:11 - nothing Job 17:9 - be stronger and stronger Job 23:6 - but he would Psalms 8:2 - strength Psalms 18:29 - by my God Psalms 27:14 - and Psalms 68:28 - commanded Psalms 73:26 - but Psalms 89:17 - For thou Proverbs 18:14 - spirit Song of Solomon 8:5 - leaning Isaiah 40:29 - General Isaiah 40:31 - renew Isaiah 43:2 - I will be Isaiah 45:24 - strength Daniel 10:18 - he Habakkuk 3:19 - my strength Zechariah 12:5 - The inhabitants Matthew 11:30 - burden Mark 8:35 - for Luke 6:21 - ye that hunger Luke 6:23 - Rejoice Luke 9:26 - whosoever Luke 21:17 - for John 5:19 - and John 14:1 - not Acts 9:22 - increased Acts 20:24 - none Romans 4:20 - but was Romans 7:25 - thank God Romans 15:1 - strong Romans 15:30 - for the 1 Corinthians 16:13 - be 2 Corinthians 6:4 - necessities 2 Corinthians 12:5 - yet Galatians 6:14 - that I Philippians 4:13 - through Colossians 1:11 - unto Colossians 1:29 - mightily 1 Timothy 1:12 - who 2 Timothy 1:8 - according 2 Timothy 2:1 - be Hebrews 5:2 - is compassed Hebrews 10:33 - by reproaches Hebrews 11:26 - the reproach Hebrews 11:34 - out of Hebrews 11:37 - being destitute Hebrews 12:5 - nor faint Hebrews 13:13 - General 1 Peter 3:14 - if

Cross-References

Genesis 12:1
The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you.
Genesis 12:2
I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.
Genesis 12:3
I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you."
Genesis 12:4
So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.
Genesis 12:8
After that, Abram traveled south and set up camp in the hill country, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built another altar and dedicated it to the Lord , and he worshiped the Lord .
Genesis 12:18
So Pharaoh summoned Abram and accused him sharply. "What have you done to me?" he demanded. "Why didn't you tell me she was your wife?
Genesis 42:5
So Jacob's sons arrived in Egypt along with others to buy food, for the famine was in Canaan as well.
Genesis 43:1
But the famine continued to ravage the land of Canaan.
Genesis 47:13
Meanwhile, the famine became so severe that all the food was used up, and people were starving throughout the lands of Egypt and Canaan.
Ruth 1:1
In the days when the judges ruled in Israel, a severe famine came upon the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah left his home and went to live in the country of Moab, taking his wife and two sons with him.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities,.... Not in them simply considered, but as they were made use of to his advantage, for the exercise of his grace, and for his more abundant consolation; and especially as they tended to the glory of Christ, and made his grace, power, and strength the more conspicuous: by infirmities are meant all outward troubles, everything that is mean and abject, distressing and afflicting, whether from Satan or the world; it seems to be a general term, which includes and is explained by the following particulars:

in reproaches; of Satan, the accuser of the brethren, who sometimes reproachfully insinuates that they are hypocrites, and serve God and Christ with mercenary views and selfish ends; and of the men of the world, who traduce them as deceivers, treat them with opprobrious language, and lead them with revilings and contumelies, endeavour to take away their characters, credit, and reputation; the faithful servants of Christ must go through bad report, and suffer shame for the name of Christ; but these reproaches with Moses are esteemed by them greater riches than the treasures of Egypt:

in necessities; not of the soul, the better part, there being a sufficiency of grace in Christ to relieve all its wants; but of the body, the apostle was sometimes reduced to very necessitous circumstances, wanting the common necessaries of life, being hungry, thirsty, and naked, and yet cheerful:

in persecutions; from place to place by the enemies of the Gospel, by whom he was severely handled by beating, scourging, and imprisonment; but his stripes were the marks of the Lord Jesus; his chains were his crown, and his prison a palace to him:

in distresses, or "straits"; both as to body and mind, encompassed with such difficulties that he knew not what way to take, or course to steer: and all

for Christ's sake; not for any real crime done by him, but for a profession of Christ, preaching his Gospel, and for the glory of his name; and which made all these afflictions so delightful to him, having in the midst of them the love of God to comfort him, the power and strength of Christ to support him, and the grace of the Spirit to assist him, and the presence of all the three Persons with him; this he suggests to be the ground and reason of his delight and pleasure, in such otherwise disagreeable circumstances:

for when I am weak, then am I strong; when he was attended with all the above mentioned infirmities, when laden with reproaches, surrounded with necessities, followed with persecutions, and brought into the utmost straits and difficulties, and was most sensible of his weakness in himself to bear and go through all these things; then was he upheld by the divine arm, and strengthened by the power of Christ; so that he was not only able to sustain the conflict, but became more than a conqueror, and even to triumph in the midst of these adversities; he could and did readily take the advice in Joel 3:10, and express himself in the same language there directed to, and to which he seems to refer, "let the weak say I am strong"; for he that is weak in himself, and sees himself to be so, is strong in Christ, and has a comfortable experience of renewed strength from him, as his day is. The Jews have a saying h somewhat like this,

"the righteous even כשהן חלשים מתחזקים, "when they are weak strengthen themselves"; as it is said, Genesis 48:2, and the wicked, though in their strength, fall, according to Esther 7:8.''

h Baal Hatturim in Gen. xlviii. 2.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Therefore I take pleasure - Since so many benefits result from trials; since my afflictions are the occasion of obtaining the favor 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 honor 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 people to complain 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; see the note on 2 Corinthians 11:30.

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

In necessities - In want: see the notes on 2 Corinthians 6:4-5.

In distresses for Christ’s sake - note, 2 Corinthians 6:4. In the various needs 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 Deuteronomy 33:25; “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” So in Hebrews 11:24; “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 special manner; and then that the excellency of the religion of Christ is truly seen and its power appreciated and felt.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 2 Corinthians 12:10. 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.


 
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