2 Corinthians 11:30
2 Corinthians 11:30 in Multiple Translations
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weakness.
If I have to take credit to myself, I will do so in the things in which I am feeble.
If I have to boast, I will boast about how weak I am.
If I must needes reioyce, I will reioyce of mine infirmities.
if to boast it behoveth [me], of the things of my infirmity I will boast;
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness.
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern my infirmities.
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my infirmity.
Because it seems that it is necessary for me to continue boasting about myself, I will boast about things that caused some people to think of me as being weak.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Corinthians 11:30
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2 Corinthians 11:30 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — 2 Corinthians 11:30
Study Notes — 2 Corinthians 11:30
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Corinthians 11:30 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Corinthians 11:30
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Corinthians 11:30
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:30
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:30
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:30
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:30
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Corinthians 11:30
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Corinthians 11:30
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:30
- Sermons on 2 Corinthians 11:30
Context — Paul’s Suffering and Service
30If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
31The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is forever worthy of praise, knows that I am not lying. 32In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas secured the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Corinthians 12:5–11 | I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses. Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. I have become a fool, but you drove me to it. In fact, you should have commended me, since I am in no way inferior to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing. |
| 2 | Proverbs 25:27 | It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory. |
| 3 | 1 Corinthians 2:3 | I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 9:23–24 | This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth— for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD. |
| 5 | Proverbs 27:2 | Let another praise you, and not your own mouth— a stranger, and not your own lips. |
| 6 | 2 Corinthians 11:16–18 | I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little. In this confident boasting of mine, I am not speaking as the Lord would, but as a fool. Since many are boasting according to the flesh, I too will boast. |
| 7 | 2 Corinthians 12:1 | I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. |
| 8 | Colossians 1:24 | Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church. |
2 Corinthians 11:30 Summary
[In 2 Corinthians 11:30, the Apostle Paul says that if he has to brag about something, he will brag about the things that show his weaknesses. This means that instead of trying to impress others with his strengths or accomplishments, Paul is choosing to be honest about the things that make him seem less capable or powerful. This is because Paul knows that his strength and ability come from God, not from himself, as seen in 2 Corinthians 3:5. By boasting of his weaknesses, Paul is showing that he trusts God to use those weaknesses to show His power and strength, just like in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to boast of weaknesses?
In 2 Corinthians 11:30, boasting of weaknesses means that the Apostle Paul is choosing to talk about the things that make him seem less capable or powerful in the eyes of the world, rather than trying to impress others with his strengths or accomplishments, as seen in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 where he says that God's power is made perfect in weakness.
Why would Paul choose to boast of his weaknesses?
Paul chooses to boast of his weaknesses because he wants to show that his strength and ability come from God, not from himself, as stated in 2 Corinthians 3:5 where he says that his sufficiency is from God.
Is it wrong to talk about our accomplishments and strengths?
It's not wrong to talk about our accomplishments and strengths, but as seen in Jeremiah 9:23-24, we should not boast in them, instead, we should boast in our knowledge of God and our understanding of His ways.
How can we apply this verse to our everyday lives?
We can apply this verse by being honest about our struggles and weaknesses, and trusting that God will use them to show His power and strength in our lives, just like Paul did, as seen in Philippians 4:13 where he says that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I try to hide my weaknesses or struggles, and how can I start to be more open and honest about them?
- How can I trust that God will use my weaknesses to show His power and strength, and what does that look like in my everyday life?
- What are some ways that I can 'boast' of my weaknesses, like Paul did, and how can I use those experiences to encourage and help others?
- How can I balance being honest about my weaknesses with the need to also talk about my strengths and accomplishments, and how can I do that in a way that glorifies God?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Corinthians 11:30
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Corinthians 11:30
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:30
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:30
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:30
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:30
Cambridge Bible on 2 Corinthians 11:30
Barnes' Notes on 2 Corinthians 11:30
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11:30
Sermons on 2 Corinthians 11:30
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Through the Bible) 2 Corinthians 11-13 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the indescribable beauty of heaven and the experiences of the apostle Paul. He shares a story of a blind girl who regained her sight and was |
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The Nature and Reality of Spiritual Energy by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the nature and reality of spiritual energy in the life of Christ, illustrating how His purposeful actions were driven by divine energy from above. He hi |
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2 Corinthians Chapter 11 the Things Paul Gloried In by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes the importance of glorifying in one's weaknesses and sufferings, as exemplified by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians. Paul asserts his authority and defends |
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The Things Paul Gloried In by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes the things Paul gloried in, particularly his privilege of preaching the Gospel, his willingness to serve without charge, and his acceptance of suffering as |
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Seven Deadly Sins Every Christian Should Hate -5- Too Much Honey -6- Pride by Phil Beach Jr. | Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the dangers of the sins of pride and the pursuit of self-glory, likening them to the seduction of too much honey. He warns that indulging in self-satisfac |
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Cranbrook 1993 May the Lamb Receive His Reward (10-5-93 Tape 1) by George Warnock | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the stumbling and falling of people when it comes to recognizing the ultimate sign of God's power, which is the death of Jesus on the cross. T |
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A Reverential Fear of God by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of reverent fear of God in our lives, highlighting the need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, to live in obedience and holine |






