2 Corinthians 12:5-10·~1 min

Paul’s Thorn and God’s Grace

Paul says he could boast about such a man but will not boast about himself except in weakness. Even if he did speak more openly, it would be true, yet he refrains so that people will judge him by what they actually see and hear, especially in light of the surpassing greatness of the revelations.

I⁵ will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses. ⁶Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me, ⁷or because of these surpassingly great revelations.

To keep him from conceit, Paul says, a thorn in the flesh was given and he pleaded three times for its removal. But Christ answered that grace is sufficient and power is perfected in weakness, so Paul now boasts gladly in weakness and accepts insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ's sake, because when he is weak, then he is strong.

⁸So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. ¹⁰That 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.

Section summaryPaul says he would boast about such a man but not about himself except in weakness, and even truthful boasting is restrained so that no one thinks more of him than what they can see and hear. Because of the surpassing revelations, a thorn was given to keep him from conceit, and though he pleaded for its removal, Christ answered that grace is sufficient and power is perfected in weakness. So Paul says he will gladly boast in weakness, because that is where Christ's power rests and where true strength is found.

Role in the chapterThis middle section gives the whole defense its interpretive center. It explains why Paul's ministry looks weak and why that weakness is not failure but the chosen place of Christ's power.