Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Corinthians 11:30

"If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weakness." — 2 Corinthians 11:30 (ASV)

If I must needs glory. It is unpleasant for me to boast, but circumstances have compelled me. But since I am compelled, I will not boast of my rank or talents, but of that which is regarded by some as an infirmity.

Mine infirmities. Greek, "the things of my weakness." The word used here is derived from the same word which is rendered weak in 2 Corinthians 11:29. He undoubtedly intends to refer here to what had preceded in his enumeration of the trials he had endured. He had spoken of sufferings; he had endured much.

He had also spoken of that tenderness of feeling which prompted him to sympathize so deeply when others suffered. He admitted that he often wept, and trembled, and glowed with strong feelings on occasions which perhaps to many would not seem to call for such strong emotions, and which they might be disposed to regard as a weakness or infirmity.

This might especially be the case among the Greeks, where many philosophers, like the Stoics, were disposed to regard all sympathetic feeling, and all sensitiveness to suffering, as an infirmity. But Paul admitted that he was disposed to glory in this alone. He gloried that he had suffered so much, that he had endured so many trials on account of Christianity, and that he had a mind that was capable of feeling for others and of entering into their sorrows and trials.

Well might he do this; for there is no more lovely feature in the mind of a virtuous man, and there is no more lovely influence of Christianity than this: that it teaches us to "bear a brother's woes" and to sympathize in all the sorrows and joys of others.

Philosophy and infidelity may be unsociable, cheerless, cold; but it is not so with Christianity. Philosophy may snap apart all the cords which bind us to the living world, but Christianity strengthens these cords. Cold and cheerless atheism and skepticism may teach us to look with unconcern on a suffering world; but it is the glory of Christianity that it teaches us to feel an interest in the well-being or adversity of the most obscure person who lives, to rejoice in his joy and to weep in his sorrows.