SEV Biblia, Chapter 11:30
Si es necesario gloriarse, me gloriaré yo de lo que es de mi flaqueza.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:30
Verse 30. I will glory-which concern mine infirmities.] I will not boast of my natural or acquired powers; neither in what God has done by me; but rather in what I have suffered for him. Many persons have understood by infirmities what they call the indwelling sin of the apostle, and say that "he gloried in this, because the grace of Christ was the more magnified in his being preserved from ruin, notwithstanding this indwelling adversary." And to support this most unholy interpretation, they quote those other words of the apostle, chap. xii. i10: Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, my indwelling corruptions, that the power of Christ, in chaining the fierce lion, may rest upon me. But it would be difficult to produce a single passage in the whole New Testament where the word asqeneia, which we translate infirmity, has the sense of sin or moral corruption. The verb asqenew signifies to be weak, infirm, sick, poor, despicable through poverty, &c. And in a few places it is applied to weakness in the faith, to young converts, who are poor in religious knowledge, not yet fully instructed in the nature of the Gospel; Rom. iv. 19; xiv. 1, 2. And it is applied to the works of the law, to point out their inability to justify a sinner, Rom. viii. 3. But to inward sin, and inward corruption it is never applied. I am afraid that what these persons call their infirmities may rather be called their strengths; the prevailing and frequently ruling power of pride, anger, ill-will, &c.; for how few think evil tempers to be sins! The gentle term infirmity softens down the iniquity; and as St. Paul, so great and so holy a man, say they, had his infirmities, how can they expect to be without theirs? These should know that they are in a dangerous error; that St. Paul means nothing of the kind; for he speaks of his sufferings, and of these alone. One word more: would not the grace and power of Christ appear more conspicuous in slaying the lion than in keeping him chained? in destroying sin, root and branch; and filling the soul with his own holiness, with love to God and man, with the mind-all the holy heavenly tempers, that were in himself; than in leaving these impure and unholy tempers, ever to live and often to reign in the heart? The doctrine is discreditable to the Gospel, and wholly antichristian.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 30. If I must needs glory , etc..] The apostle signifies that glorying was not agreeable to him; he was not fond of it, it was a subject he did not delight to dwell upon; what he had done was by force, and through necessity; he was compelled to it by the boasts of the false apostles: and since he must needs glory in order to stop their mouths; I will glory , says he, of things which concern mine infirmities; meaning not his sins, for these cause shame; but his afflictions and sufferings for Christ, under which he was supported, and from which he was delivered by the power of Christ; and that was the reason he chose to glory of them; for though they rendered him mean and despicable in the eyes of the world, yet his bearing them with so much patience, courage, and pleasure, and his many singular deliverances out of them, served greatly to illustrate the power and grace of Christ, and at the same time proved him to be a true and faithful minister of the Gospel; to whom so much honour was vouchsafed, as to suffer shame for the name of Christ, and to be so singularly marked out by him, as the object of his favour, love, and care.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 22-33 - The apostle gives an account of his labours and sufferings; not out of pride or vain-glory, but to the honour of God, who enabled him to d and suffer so much for the cause of Christ; and shows wherein he excelled the false apostles, who tried to lessen his character an usefulness. It astonishes us to reflect on this account of his dangers hardships, and sufferings, and to observe his patience, perseverance diligence, cheerfulness, and usefulness, in the midst of all thes trials. See what little reason we have to love the pomp and plenty of this world, when this blessed apostle felt so much hardship in it. Ou utmost diligence and services appear unworthy of notice when compare with his, and our difficulties and trials scarcely can be perceived. I may well lead us to inquire whether or not we really are followers of Christ. Here we may study patience, courage, and firm trust in God Here we may learn to think less of ourselves; and we should eve strictly keep to truth, as in God's presence; and should refer all to his glory, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed for evermore __________________________________________________________________
Greek Textus Receptus
ει 1487 COND καυχασθαι 2744 5738 V-PNN δει 1163 5904 V-PQI-3S τα 3588 T-APN της 3588 T-GSF ασθενειας 769 N-GSF μου 3450 P-1GS καυχησομαι 2744 5695 V-FDI-1S
Vincent's NT Word Studies
30. The things which concern mine infirmities (ta thv asqeneiav mou). He will be attested as a true apostle by the sufferings which show his weakness, which make him contemptible in his adversaries' eyes, and not by the strength of which his opponents boast.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
11:30 {The things that concern my weakness} (ta tes asqeneias mou). Like the list above.
