Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

For a moment Paul pauses to reflect on what he has just written. Both he and his opponents might boast, but his boasting was distinctive, since, paradoxically, he prided himself on evidences of his weakness that became evidences of God’s surpassing power in supporting and delivering him (cf. 1:8– 10; 4:7, 10–11; 12:5, 9–10).

Because he had been so precise in describing his afflictions and perils, he realized that the record sounded not only incredible but also out of keeping for an apostle and that his rivals might easily dismiss it as gross exaggeration. Hence Paul’s appeal to the divine omniscience (cf. 1:18; 11:10–11; Galatians 1:20; 1 Timothy 2:1) to confirm the trustworthiness of his word.