“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.”
My Notes
What Does 2 Corinthians 12:9 Mean?
Paul has begged God three times to remove a "thorn in the flesh" — some affliction he never specifically identifies. God's answer is not removal. It's this: my grace is sufficient for you.
The word "sufficient" (arkeo) means enough, adequate. Not abundant, not overflowing in this context — enough. God is saying: what I'm giving you is what you need. You don't need the thorn removed. You need my grace to be enough within it.
The second clause is revolutionary: "my strength is made perfect in weakness." God's power doesn't just tolerate weakness — it reaches full expression through it. The weakness isn't an obstacle to God's power. It's the condition for it.
Paul's response is remarkable. Rather than accepting this grudgingly, he says he will "glory in my infirmities" — boast about them, celebrate them — because they're the place where Christ's power rests on him. The word "rest upon" (episkenoo) means to tabernacle, to set up tent — the same language used for God's presence dwelling in the temple.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What 'thorn' have you asked God to remove that remains? How do you sit with his 'no'?
- 2.What does it mean practically that God's strength is 'made perfect in weakness'? Have you experienced this?
- 3.How is 'my grace is sufficient' different from 'I'll fix this for you'? Which answer do you prefer, and why?
- 4.Paul went from asking for removal to celebrating his weakness. What would that shift look like in your life?
Devotional
Three times Paul asked for the thorn to be removed. Three times. And God said no. But the no came with something: my grace is sufficient.
If you've ever prayed for something to be taken away — a struggle, an illness, a limitation, a painful circumstance — and it stayed, this verse is for you. Not as a platitude, but as the actual lived experience of someone who begged God and received a different answer than he wanted.
God didn't explain why the thorn was there. He didn't promise it would leave eventually. He said: my grace is enough. My power works best in your weakness. Not around it, not despite it — in it.
That's a hard promise to love. We want the thorn gone. God says: I'll give you something better than its removal. I'll show up in the exact place where you're weakest, and that's where my power will be most visible.
Paul got to a place where he could actually celebrate his weaknesses. Not fake it. Celebrate. Because he discovered that the thorn was the address where God's power took up residence.
What if the thing you most want removed is the thing God most wants to fill?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
I am become a fool in glorying,.... This is either to be understood conditionally, if he had acted as a fool in…
And he said unto me - The Saviour replied. In what way this was done, or whether it was done at the time when the prayer…
My grace is sufficient for thee - Thou shalt not be permitted to sink under these afflictions. Thy enemies shall not be…
Here we may observe,
I. The narrative the apostle gives of the favours God had shown him, and the honour he had done…
And he said unto me Jesus Christ said it, "but howthe answer from Christ was received, whether through an inner voice or…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture