Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary (4 vols)

2 Corinthians 12:9

2 Corinthians 12:9. And he hath said. It is not a single reply to the prayer as then offered, “but as continuing in force: He hath told me, and with this I must rest satisfied.” [1] My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness. “Grace,” see on 1 Corinthians 1:3, is here promised in the form of “strength” or “power,” not only to endure the sore trial of this “thorn in the flesh,” with all its natural effect on his ministry, but even to make this weakness a source of strength. And it is so couched as to meet every similar case. Cast in a gnomic form, it expresses a great general principle. The “my” of the received text, is an addition to the original text, which runs thus: “Strength is made perfect in weakness.” O how many myriads of burdened souls have had cause to exclaim, Blessed “thorn in the flesh” be it what it might which drew forth such a promise and such an assurance for all time!

[1] Note by Winer on this passage, Grammar of New Testament Greek, § 40, 4.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the strength of Christ may rest upon me: ‘If this weakness of mine is only to add to my strength, bringing the strength of Christ as a glory down upon me (for such is the import of the choice word here employed [1]), then, instead of wishing it away, I will glory in it, and not in this only, but in all the “weaknesses” that may be meted out to me.'

[1] ἐπισκηνώσ; compare John 1:14; Revelation 7:15.

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Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary (4 vols)

2 Corinthians 12:9

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