Even if I should choose to boast,(A) I would not be a fool,(B) because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations.(C) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,(D) a messenger of Satan,(E) to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.(F) But he said to me, “My grace(G) is sufficient for you, for my power(H) is made perfect in weakness.(I)(J) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight(K) in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,(L) in persecutions,(M) in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.(N)

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For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

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.

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.

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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, 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.

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 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.

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For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

The Thorn in the Flesh

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a (A)thorn in the flesh was given to me, (B)a messenger of Satan to [a]buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. (C)Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly (D)I will rather boast in my infirmities, (E)that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore (F)I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. (G)For when I am weak, then I am strong.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:7 beat