John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 12:10

"Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ`s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." — 2 Corinthians 12:10 (ASV)

I take pleasure in infirmities. There can be no doubt that he employs the term weakness in different senses, for he formerly applied this name to the punctures that he experienced in the flesh. He now employs it to denote those external qualities which occasion contempt in the view of the world.

Having spoken, however, in a general way, of infirmities of every kind, he now returns to that particular description of them that had given occasion for his turning aside into this general discourse. Let us take notice, then, that infirmity is a general term, and under it is comprehended the weakness of our nature, as well as all tokens of abasement. Now the point in question was Paul’s outward abasement. He proceeded further, for the purpose of showing that the Lord humbled him in every way, so that in his defects, the glory of God might shine forth all the more resplendently, which is, in a manner, concealed and buried when a man is in an elevated position. He now again returns to speak of his excellences, which, at the same time, made him contemptible in public view, instead of procuring for him esteem and commendation.

For when I am weak, that is — "The more deficiency there is in me, so much the more liberally does the Lord, from His strength, supply me with whatever He sees to be needful for me." For the fortitude of philosophers is nothing else than obstinacy, or rather a mad enthusiasm, such as fanatics are accustomed to have. "If a man is desirous to be truly strong, let him not refuse to be at the same time weak. Let him," I say, "be weak in himself that he may be strong in the Lord" (Ephesians 6:10).

Should anyone object that Paul speaks here not of a failure of strength, but of poverty and other afflictions, I answer that all these things are exercises for discovering our own weakness. For if God had not exercised Paul with such trials, he would never have perceived his weakness so clearly. Hence, he has in view not merely poverty and hardships of every kind, but also those effects that arise from them, such as a feeling of our own weakness, self-distrust, and humility.