If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
Parallel translations
- WEB If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness.
- KJV If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
- NKJV If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.
- NASB If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.
- NLT If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
If forced to boast, Paul will boast of the very things that reveal his weakness. It matters because it overturns the world's measure of greatness, locating glory in dependence on God rather than self.
Overview
This verse states the controlling principle of Paul's whole 'fool's boast': he glories not in strength but in weakness. By doing so he refuses to compete on his rivals' terms and instead magnifies God's power working through frail vessels. It anticipates the climactic lesson of 12:9, that Christ's strength is perfected in human weakness.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- 2 Cor 12:5–11I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses.
- Prov 25:27It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
- 1 Cor 2:3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.
- Jer 9:23–24This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches.
- Prov 27:2Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.
- 2 Cor 11:16–18I repeat: Let no one take me for a fool. But if you do, then receive me as a fool, so that I too may boast a little.
- 2 Cor 12:1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to gain, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
- Col 1:24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
How 2 Corinthians 11:30 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.