Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
said—literally, "He hath said," implying that His answer is enough [ALFORD].
is sufficient—The trial must endure, but the grace shall also endure and never fail thee [ALFORD], (Deuteronomy 33:25). The Lord puts the words into Paul's mouth, that following them up he might say, "O Lord, Thy grace is sufficient for me" [BENGEL].
my strength—Greek, "power."
is made perfect—has its most perfect manifestation.
in weakness—Do not ask for sensible strength, FOR My power is perfected in man's "strengthlessness" (so the Greek). The "for" implies, thy "strengthlessness" (the same Greek as is translated "weakness"; and in II Corinthians 12:10, "infirmities") is the very element in which My "power" (which moves coincident with "My grace") exhibits itself more perfectly. So that Paul instead of desiring the infirmity to "depart," "rather" henceforth "glories in infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest (Greek, 'tabernacle upon,' cover my infirmity all over as with a tabernacle; compare Greek, John 1:12) upon" him. This effect of Christ's assurance on him appears, II Corinthians 4:7; I Corinthians 2:3-4; compare I Peter 4:14. The "My" is omitted in some of the oldest manuscripts; the sense is the same, "power" (referring to God's power) standing absolutely, in contrast to "weakness" (put absolutely, for man's weakness). Paul often repeats the word "weakness" or "infirmity" (the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth chapters) as being Christ's own word. The Lord has more need of our weakness than of our strength: our strength is often His rival; our weakness, His servant, drawing on His resources, and showing forth His glory. Man's extremity is God's opportunity; man's security is Satan's opportunity. God's way is not to take His children out of trial, but to give them strength to bear up against it (Psalms 88:7; John 17:15).
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 2 Corinthians 12:9:
1 Kings 19:3
Song of Solomon 8:5
Isaiah 40:29
Lamentations 3:21
Daniel 3:25
Hosea 12:3
Acts 26:16-18
1 Corinthians 1:25
1 Corinthians 2:3
1 Corinthians 10:13
2 Corinthians 11:27
2 Corinthians 11:30
2 Corinthians 12:8
2 Corinthians 12:10
2 Corinthians 13:4
Galatians 4:13
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.
