If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.
Parallel translations
- WEB If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weakness.
- BSB If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.
- 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 12:5–11Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
- Prov 25:27It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
- 1 Cor 2:3And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
- Jer 9:23–24Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
- Prov 27:2Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
- 2 Cor 11:16–18I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
- 2 Cor 12:1It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
- Col 1:24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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.