2CO 12:5-10

Paulʼs Thorn and Godʼs Grace

5On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on behalf of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.

6For if I should wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth; but I spare, lest anyone reckon to me beyond what he sees of me, or hears anything from me,

7also by the surpassingness of the revelations. Therefore, that I might not be exalted, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh — a messenger of Satan, that he may buffet me, that I might not be exalted.

8Concerning this thrice I called upon the Lord, that it might depart from me.

9And he has said to me: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly therefore rather will I boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may tabernacle upon me.

10Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions and distresses, on behalf of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am powerful.

In the world it was spoken into

In the Greco-Roman world, boasting was a common practice tied to honor and social status. Public figures often highlighted their achievements to gain credibility and patronage. Paul, however, subverts this cultural norm by boasting in his weaknesses , a concept that would have seemed counterintuitive to his audience. His 'thorn in the flesh' is described as a 'messenger of Satan' , likely a severe and persistent affliction—physical, spiritual, or social—that humbled him. The term , translated as 'buffet,' implies repeated, humiliating blows, suggesting a relentless trial. Paul’s plea for its removal reflects the common Jewish practice of petitioning God in times of suffering. Yet, God’s response—'My grace is sufficient for you'—frames divine power as perfected in weakness, a radical inversion of the Greco-Roman ideal of self-sufficiency . This would have challenged listeners to rethink strength and honor in light of divine grace.

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How other translations render this

2CO 12:5

KJV: Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
BSB: I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses.
Koinōnos: On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on behalf of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses.

2CO 12:6

KJV: For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
BSB: 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,
Koinōnos: For if I should wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth; but I spare, lest anyone reckon to me beyond what he sees of me, or hears anything from me,

2CO 12:7

KJV: And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
BSB: 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.
Koinōnos: also by the surpassingness of the revelations. Therefore, that I might not be exalted, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh — a messenger of Satan, that he may buffet me, that I might not be exalted.

2CO 12:8

KJV: For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
BSB: Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
Koinōnos: Concerning this thrice I called upon the Lord, that it might depart from me.

2CO 12:9

KJV: And 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.
BSB: 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.
Koinōnos: And he has said to me: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly therefore rather will I boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may tabernacle upon me.

2CO 12:10

KJV: 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.
BSB: 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.
Koinōnos: Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions and distresses, on behalf of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am powerful.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

2CO 12:7

by surpassingness:The word translated 'by surpassingness' carries the idea of an extraordinary, excessive, or overwhelming degree, emphasizing the extreme nature of the revelations Paul received.
a thorn:The term used here for 'a thorn' originally referred to a pointed stake or a palisade, suggesting something large, sharp, and deeply embedded, not merely a small prick.
he may buffet:The word translated 'he may buffet' describes being struck with a fist or hand, often implying repeated blows or abuse, not just a gentle tap.

2CO 12:9

weakness:The word translated 'weakness' here is often used in the New Testament to describe physical infirmity, sickness, or a general state of powerlessness, rather than moral failing.