The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 12:9 Explained

2 Corinthians 12:9

KJV: 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.

YLT: and He said to me, 'Sufficient for thee is My grace, for My power in infirmity is perfected;' most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of the Christ may rest on me:

Darby: And he said to me, My grace suffices thee; for my power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of the Christ may dwell upon me.

ASV: And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does 2 Corinthians 12:9 Mean?

Study Notes

perfect in
.
perfect
The word implies full development, growth into maturity of godliness, not sinless perfection. Ephesians 4:12 ; Ephesians 4:13 . In this passage the Father's kindness, not His sinlessness, is the point in question. Luke 6:35 ; Luke 6:36

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 12:9

He hath said [ειρηκεν]
Perfect active indicative, as if a final word. Paul probably still has the thorn in his flesh and needs this word of Christ. [source]
Is sufficient [αρκει]
Old word of rich meaning, perhaps kin to Latin arceo, to ward off against danger. Christ‘s grace suffices and abides. Is perfected (τελειται — teleitai). Present passive indicative of τελεω — teleō to finish. It is linear in idea. Power is continually increased as the weakness grows. See note on Philemon 4:13 for this same noble conception. The human weakness opens the way for more of Christ‘s power and grace. Most gladly rather Two adverbs, one superlative “Rather” than ask any more (thrice already) for the removal of the thorn or splinter “most gladly will I glory in my weaknesses.” Slowly Paul had learned this supreme lesson, but it will never leave him (Romans 5:2; 2 Timothy 4:6-8). May rest upon me (επισκηνωσηι επ εμε — episkēnōsēi ep' eme). Late and rare verb in first aorist active subjunctive with ινα — hina (final clause), to fix a tent upon, here upon Paul himself by a bold metaphor, as if the Shechinah of the Lord was overshadowing him (cf. Luke 9:34), the power (δυναμις — dunamis) of the Lord Jesus. [source]
Is perfected [τελειται]
Present passive indicative of τελεω — teleō to finish. It is linear in idea. Power is continually increased as the weakness grows. See note on Philemon 4:13 for this same noble conception. The human weakness opens the way for more of Christ‘s power and grace. [source]
Most gladly rather [ηδιστα μαλλον]
Two adverbs, one superlative “Rather” than ask any more (thrice already) for the removal of the thorn or splinter “most gladly will I glory in my weaknesses.” Slowly Paul had learned this supreme lesson, but it will never leave him (Romans 5:2; 2 Timothy 4:6-8). May rest upon me (επισκηνωσηι επ εμε — episkēnōsēi ep' eme). Late and rare verb in first aorist active subjunctive with ινα — hina (final clause), to fix a tent upon, here upon Paul himself by a bold metaphor, as if the Shechinah of the Lord was overshadowing him (cf. Luke 9:34), the power (δυναμις — dunamis) of the Lord Jesus. [source]
May rest upon me [επισκηνωσηι επ εμε]
Late and rare verb in first aorist active subjunctive with ινα — hina (final clause), to fix a tent upon, here upon Paul himself by a bold metaphor, as if the Shechinah of the Lord was overshadowing him (cf. Luke 9:34), the power (δυναμις — dunamis) of the Lord Jesus. [source]
He said [εἴρηκεν]
Rev., correctly, He hath said. The force of the perfect tense is to be insisted on. It shows that the affliction was still clinging to Paul, and that there was lying in his mind when he wrote, not only the memory of the incident, but the sense of the still abiding power and value of Christ's grace; so that because the Lord hath said “my grace,” etc., Paul can now say, under the continued affliction, wherefore I take pleasure, etc., for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong. A more beautiful use of the perfect it would be difficult to find in the New Testament. [source]
My strength []
The best texts omit my, thus turning the answer into a general proposition: strength is perfected in weakness; but besides the preeminent frigidity of replying to a passionate appeal with an aphorism, the reference to the special power of Christ is clear from the words power of Christ, which almost immediately follow. Compare 1 Corinthians 2:3, 1 Corinthians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 4:7; Hebrews 11:34. Rev., rightly, retains my italicized. [source]
May rest upon [ἐπισκηνώσῃ]
Only here in the New Testament. The simple verb σκηνόω todwell in a tent is used by John, especially in Revelation. See on John 1:14. The compound verb here means to fix a tent or a habitation upon; and the figure is that of Christ abiding upon him as a tent spread over him, during his temporary stay on earth. [source]
For Christ's sake []
This may be taken with all the preceding details, weaknesses, etc., endured for Christ's sake, or with I take pleasure, assigning the specific motive of his rejoicing: I take pleasure for Christ's sake. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 12:9

1 Thessalonians 4:15 By the word of the Lord [ἐν λόγῳ κυρίου]
Or in the word. Λόγος of a concrete saying, Romans 9:9; Romans 13:9. We do not say this on our own authority. Comp. 1 Corinthians 7:10, 1 Corinthians 7:12, 1 Corinthians 7:25. No recorded saying of the Lord answers to this reference. It may refer to a saying transmitted orally, or to a direct revelation to Paul. Comp. Galatians 1:12; Galatians 2:2; Ephesians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 12:1, 2 Corinthians 12:9. [source]
1 Timothy 6:8 Let us be content [ἀρκεσθησόμεθα]
More correctly, we shall be content. Once in Paul, 2 Corinthians 12:9. A few times in lxx. Comp. Ps. of Song of Solomon 16:12: “But with good will and cheerfulness uphold thou my soul; when thou strengthenest my soul I shall be satisfied ( ἀρκέσει μοι ) with what thou givest me.” [source]
1 Timothy 6:8 Covering [σκεπασματα]
Plural, “coverings.” Late word from σκεπαζω — skepazō to cover. Here only in N.T. We shall be content (αρκεστησομετα — arkesthēsometha). First future passive of αρκεω — arkeō to be content. Old word. See note on 2 Corinthians 12:9. This is the αυταρκεια — autarkeia of 1 Timothy 6:6. There with Associative instrumental case, “with these.” [source]
1 Timothy 6:8 We shall be content [αρκεστησομετα]
First future passive of αρκεω — arkeō to be content. Old word. See note on 2 Corinthians 12:9. This is the αυταρκεια — autarkeia of 1 Timothy 6:6. [source]
2 Timothy 2:1 In the grace [ἐν τῇ χάριτι]
Grace is the inward source of strength. Comp. the association of grace and strength in 2 Corinthians 12:9. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 12:9 mean?

And He said to me Suffices you the grace of Me for power in weakness is perfected Most gladly therefore rather will I boast the weaknesses of me so that may rest upon me - of Christ
καὶ εἴρηκέν μοι Ἀρκεῖ σοι χάρις μου γὰρ δύναμις ἐν ἀσθενείᾳ τελεῖται Ἥδιστα οὖν μᾶλλον καυχήσομαι ταῖς ἀσθενείαις ‹μου› ἵνα ἐπισκηνώσῃ ἐπ’ ἐμὲ τοῦ Χριστοῦ

εἴρηκέν  He  said 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to utter, speak, say.
μοι  to  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
Ἀρκεῖ  Suffices 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἀρκέω  
Sense: to be possessed of unfailing strength.
χάρις  grace 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: χάρις  
Sense: grace.
μου  of  Me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
δύναμις  power 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: δύναμις  
Sense: strength power, ability.
ἀσθενείᾳ  weakness 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: ἀσθένεια  
Sense: want of strength, weakness, infirmity.
τελεῖται  is  perfected 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle or Passive, 3rd Person Singular
Root: τελέω  
Sense: to bring to a close, to finish, to end.
Ἥδιστα  Most  gladly 
Parse: Adverb, Superlative
Root: ἡδέως  
Sense: most gladly.
μᾶλλον  rather 
Parse: Adverb
Root: μᾶλλον  
Sense: more, to a greater degree, rather.
καυχήσομαι  will  I  boast 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Middle, 1st Person Singular
Root: καυχάομαι  
Sense: to glory (whether with reason or without).
ἀσθενείαις  weaknesses 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Plural
Root: ἀσθένεια  
Sense: want of strength, weakness, infirmity.
‹μου›  of  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ἵνα  so  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
ἐπισκηνώσῃ  may  rest 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐπισκηνόω  
Sense: to fix a tent or habitation on.
ἐπ’  upon 
Parse: Preposition
Root: ἐπί  
Sense: upon, on, at, by, before.
ἐμὲ  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Χριστοῦ  of  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.