2 Corinthians 11:30

In 2 Corinthians 11:30, the Apostle Paul declares, "If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities." This powerful statement comes amidst Paul's reluctant defense of his apostleship against false teachers who boasted in their own perceived strengths and worldly credentials. Paul radically redefines what is truly worthy of boasting, shifting the focus from human capability to divine power revealed through human weakness.

Context

This verse is part of what Paul ironically calls his "fool's speech" (2 Corinthians 11:16), where he is compelled to boast in order to expose the superficiality and false claims of those challenging his authority in Corinth. The false apostles likely highlighted their eloquence, Jewish heritage, and lack of suffering as signs of their superior standing. Paul, however, turns this conventional wisdom on its head, choosing to boast not in his achievements or impressive qualities, but in his weaknesses and the numerous hardships he endured for the sake of the gospel (as detailed in 2 Corinthians 11:23-29).

Key Themes

• Boasting in Weakness: Paul presents a paradoxical truth: true spiritual strength and authority are found not in human self-sufficiency but in acknowledged weakness and dependence on God.
• Humility and Authenticity: By boasting in his infirmities, Paul underscores his genuine humility and the authenticity of his ministry, contrasting sharply with the self-promoting and superficial nature of the false apostles.
• God's Power Through Frailty: This verse foreshadows the profound theological principle that God's strength is most clearly manifested when human strength is absent, a theme extensively explored in the following chapter.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "glory" translates the Greek term kauchaomai (καυχάομαι), which means to boast, brag, or take pride in something. Paul uses it with heavy irony here. The key term "infirmities" comes from the Greek astheneia (ἀσθένεια), which denotes weakness, feebleness, sickness, or lack of strength. This word encompasses not only physical ailments but also the wide range of persecutions, hardships, and vulnerabilities Paul faced as an apostle, such as beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecks, and hunger (as enumerated in 2 Corinthians 11:23-29). These were circumstances where Paul was utterly dependent on God, not his own power or resources.

Related Scriptures

This verse directly precedes Paul's famous discussion of his "thorn in the flesh" in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. There, God tells Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). This theme is also echoed in 1 Corinthians 1:27, where Paul states that God chooses the "foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty."

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Corinthians 11:30 offers a liberating and counter-cultural perspective. It teaches us that:

• Embrace Weakness: Our weaknesses and limitations are not necessarily hindrances but can be vessels through which God's power is most visibly displayed.
• Redefine Strength: True spiritual strength is not found in self-sufficiency or outward appearances, but in humility, dependence on God, and willingness to be vulnerable.
• Find Purpose in Struggle: When we are weak, God can be strong through us, using our struggles, failures, and challenges for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. This perspective transforms how we view personal difficulties and suffering, seeing them as opportunities for God to work in profound ways.