2 Corinthians 12:8-9
What is written? (ESV)
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
What does it say?
I [Paul] pleaded to the Lord three times to have it [thorn in the flesh] removed, but He responded that His grace was sufficient for me and that His power is perfected in weakness. As a result, I will boast in exceeding joy about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
What is its immediate context?
In his second letter to the young church in Corinth, Paul must defend his apostleship against what he calls “super-apostles” – false teachers discrediting the gospel message and Paul’s authority. In this section, Paul adds to his credentials the fact that he had been “caught up” (vs 2) and “heard things” (vs 4), yet at the same time was cognizant of this fact making him conceited (vs 7).
