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
Verse 10 completes the thought: “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.” Paul’s perspective celebrates a life oriented around Christ’s suffering and power. This is not stoicism but a robust theology of participation with Christ’s own weakness for the sake of the gospel. He enumerates various forms of hardship—physical, social, and financial—seen as opportunities to embody Christ’s strength. The verse echoes Jesus’s own path: the cross is the place where God’s power is manifested. For Paul, weakness is not a disqualifier but a conduit for divine strength, enabling perseverance, courage, and faithful witness.
Theologically, this verse encapsulates the cruciform life. The strength of Christ rests on the believer as they embrace dependence, suffering, and service. It reverses worldly values: weakness becomes a conduit for power, and suffering is transformed into spiritual fruitfulness.
Practically, embrace hardship as participation in Christ’s mission rather than as abandonment. Example: when facing injustice or hostility for faith, respond with grace, truth, and perseverance, letting Christ’s strength through you shape outcomes more than personal grit. Share stories of how God’s grace carried you during trials, encouraging others to trust God in their own. This posture invites a countercultural witness: weakness as a doorway to Christ’s power.
Cross-References: Philippians 4:13; James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3-5; 2 Corinthians 4:7-9; John 15:18-20