The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 12:5 Explained

2 Corinthians 12:5

KJV: Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

YLT: Of such an one I will boast, and of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities,

Darby: Of such a one I will boast, but of myself I will not boast, unless in my weaknesses.

ASV: On behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save in my weaknesses.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Of  such an one  will I glory:  yet  of  myself  I will  not  glory,  but  in  mine  infirmities. 

What does 2 Corinthians 12:5 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 12:1-10 - The Secret Of Strength
It is a sublime phrase-a man in Christ. We reach our full stature only when we are in Him. We are but fragments of manhood until the true man is formed in us. Of course the presence of Jesus is always with us, but its manifestation is reserved for special emergencies, when it is peculiarly needed. It is thought that this supreme revelation was synchronous with Paul's stoning at Lystra, Acts 14:1-28. While the poor body was being mangled, his spirit was in the third heaven, that is, in Paradise. What a contrast between being let down in a basket and being caught up into glory! How indifferent to the derisions of men is the soul that lives in God!
We do not know what this thorn, or stake, was-whether eye trouble, or imperfect utterance, or some deformity in appearance-but it was the source of much suffering and many temptations. At first Paul prayed for its removal, but as soon as he learned that its continuance was the condition of receiving additional grace, he not only accepted it, but even gloried in its presence. May we not believe that all disabilities are permitted to drive us to realize and appropriate all that Jesus can be to the hard-pressed soul! [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 12

1  For commending of his apostleship, though he might glory of his wonderful revelations,
9  yet he rather chooses to glory of his infirmities;
11  blaming the Corinthians for forcing him to this vain boasting
14  He promises to come to them again; but yet altogether in the affection of a father;
20  although he fears he shall to his grief find many offenders, and public disorders there

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 12:5

But on mine own behalf [υπερ δε εμαυτου]
As if there were two Pauls. In a sense there were. He will only glory in the things mentioned above, the things of his weaknesses (2 Corinthians 11:30). [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 12:5 mean?

Concerning - such a man I will boast however myself not if not in the weaknesses
Ὑπὲρ τοῦ τοιούτου καυχήσομαι δὲ ἐμαυτοῦ οὐ εἰ μὴ ἐν ταῖς ἀσθενείαις

Ὑπὲρ  Concerning 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ὑπέρ 
Sense: in behalf of, for the sake of.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
τοιούτου  such  a  man 
Parse: Demonstrative Pronoun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: τοιοῦτος  
Sense: such as this, of this kind or sort.
καυχήσομαι  I  will  boast 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Middle, 1st Person Singular
Root: καυχάομαι  
Sense: to glory (whether with reason or without).
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἐμαυτοῦ  myself 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive Masculine 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐμαυτοῦ  
Sense: I, me, myself etc.
ἀσθενείαις  weaknesses 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: ἀσθένεια  
Sense: want of strength, weakness, infirmity.

What are the major concepts related to 2 Corinthians 12:5?

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