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.
Original Language Analysis
εὐδοκῶ
I take pleasure
G2106
εὐδοκῶ
I take pleasure
Strong's:
G2106
Word #:
2 of 20
to think well of, i.e., approve (an act); specially, to approbate (a person or thing)
ἀσθενείαις
infirmities
G769
ἀσθενείαις
infirmities
Strong's:
G769
Word #:
4 of 20
feebleness (of mind or body); by implication, malady; morally, frailty
ὕβρεσιν
reproaches
G5196
ὕβρεσιν
reproaches
Strong's:
G5196
Word #:
6 of 20
insolence (as over-bearing), i.e., insult, injury
ἀνάγκαις
necessities
G318
ἀνάγκαις
necessities
Strong's:
G318
Word #:
8 of 20
constraint (literally or figuratively); by implication, distress
στενοχωρίαις
distresses
G4730
στενοχωρίαις
distresses
Strong's:
G4730
Word #:
12 of 20
narrowness of room, i.e., (figuratively) calamity
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
13 of 20
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
ὅταν
when
G3752
ὅταν
when
Strong's:
G3752
Word #:
15 of 20
whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causatively (conjunctionally) inasmuch as
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
16 of 20
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τότε
then
G5119
τότε
then
Strong's:
G5119
Word #:
18 of 20
the when, i.e., at the time that (of the past or future, also in consecution)
Cross References
2 Corinthians 12:9And 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.Ephesians 6:10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.Romans 5:3And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;2 Corinthians 13:4For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.James 1:2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;2 Corinthians 6:4But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,Luke 6:22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.Acts 5:41And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.John 15:21But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.2 Corinthians 4:17For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
Historical Context
Paul wrote this from Macedonia bearing fresh scars from ministry hardships catalogued in 11:23-29. The Corinthians viewed suffering as divine disapproval; Paul reinterprets it as the context for experiencing resurrection power (4:7-12). This theology wasn't theoretical—Paul lived it through beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonment, and now the ongoing thorn.
Questions for Reflection
- How can Paul "take pleasure" in suffering without promoting unhealthy masochism or denying that suffering is genuinely evil?
- What's the difference between suffering "for Christ's sake" versus general human suffering—does location determine meaning?
- How does the simultaneous "when weak, then strong" paradox challenge both prosperity theology (denying weakness) and victim theology (denying strength)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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 lists five categories of suffering: astheneiais (ἀσθενείαις, "infirmities," physical weaknesses), hybresin (ὕβρεσιν, "reproaches," insults), anankais (ἀνάγκαις, "necessities," distresses), diōgmois (διωγμοῖς, "persecutions"), and stenochōriais (στενοχωρίαις, "distresses," constraints). The comprehensive catalog shows that all forms of suffering become occasions for experiencing Christ's power.
The phrase I take pleasure (eudokō, εὐδοκῶ) is remarkable—not resignation but active delight, the same word describing God's pleasure in Christ (Matthew 3:17, 17:5). Paul finds joy in suffering itself? No—joy in suffering for Christ's sake, because it becomes the arena where divine power operates. This isn't masochism but mature faith that sees suffering as Christ-union and power-display.
The concluding paradox: when I am weak, then am I strong (hotan gar asthenō tote dynatos eimi, ὅταν γὰρ ἀσθενῶ τότε δυνατός εἰμι). Not "after I'm weak, then I'm strong" (temporal sequence) but "when I am weak, then [at that very moment] I am strong" (simultaneous). Weakness doesn't give way to strength; weakness is strength when Christ's power rests upon it.