Need Help Understanding

[Catsmeow]

2 Corinthians 12:9b-10

Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

I don't have a Greek translation to this. Does anyone know what this might mean in the Greek or natural language it was written in?

I have long struggled with understanding what this might mean exactly. I've read it a hundred times but still feel perplexed by what is meant by this verse.

In fact, any feedback would be greatly valued.

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Catsmeow,

Have you ever read anything from the Voice of the Martyrs? One thing we do know that "In this world ye shall suffer all sorts of persecution." Contrary to that, if we are NOT suffering for the Name of Jesus Christ - in some way - they are we REALLY a part of Him? Those of us in the free countries have had it so well for so long we do not know what true persecution really is. But for sure "It is coming!" I believe the state is set for the one world religion/government and at that time the Beast will REALLY wage war against the Saints of God, as if He weren't already.

You might do well to do a word search on words associated with "suffering". That might help you better understand. Joseph suffered in many ways for the sake of the Hebrew people, as did Paul suffer stoning, death, jail, beatings etc., for the sake of getting the Gospel to the gentiles.

Paul is saying that he has given up relying on his own strength and welcomes persecution because it is THEN that our Lord's power is most demonstrated in his life. The same goes for us.

Hope this helps.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[Catsmeow]

Can you give me an example...like how it might be shown in ordinary people's lives?

[tsth]

Here's a link for your study Cats.

[url="http://bible.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?new=1&word=2+Corinthians+12%3A9

[wordsower]

Cats,

Paul had a thorn in that flesh, as you know. Scholars aren't sure what it was but the most sense I can make of it seems to point to a problem with his eyes, possibly from his Damascus road experience. He is explaining in the chapter that the thorn is to keep him humble, to keep him from boasting. He said he pleaded with God 3 times to take it away but He said, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness. The greek word for rest in verse 9 is episkenoo which means to rest upon or take up residence.The word for weak in verse 10 is astheneo which means weak or ill.

I think he is saying that as long as he was dependent on God and not independent of Him, it was the power of God that worked in his life instead of his own power, and this thorn kept him dependent on God and therefore kept him strong. Before he became Paul, when he was Saul, he had a lot to be proud of, he was well educated, a "top-notch" Jew. All of his confidence was in himself. When he was called by God and realized how far from perfect he actually was he said that he counted all of that loss. I imagine it would have been easy for him to creep back into that boastful thinking, so God kept him humble by a weakness.

Paul is my favorite. Such an awesome story of conversion and complete life change and love for Christ.

Hope that helps.

[Catsmeow]

The greek word for rest in verse 9 is episkenoo which means to rest upon or take up residence.The word for weak in verse 10 is astheneo which means weak or ill.

I think he is saying that as long as he was dependent on God and not independent of Him, it was the power of God that worked in his life instead of his own power, and this thorn kept him dependent on God and therefore kept him strong.

Wordsower: This is exactly what I was looking for. I have wondered what in the world could it mean...how could he be weak and strong both?

But it comes from the fact that as long as he's weak, he's dependent on God.

I often find that when we can get the original language it helps our understanding.

Suzanne...I'll definitely go and check out that site. I love Crosswalk. But I never knew I could get the original language/text.

I use them for bible verses and bible study but didn't know I could get the Greek translation. Thx for that!

[Guest dove2]

We use a Strong's Bible Concordance with Hebrew for Old Testament and Greek for the New Testament. I often go to Crosswalk to find word meanings also.

[Catsmeow]

I haven't figured out how to find the Greek equivalents on Crosswalk. Getting bible verses is easy...I tried finding the equivalent in Greek and I'm doing something wrong.

When it comes to computers, I feel like I'm all thumbs.

[wordsower]

I've never used crosswalk but I really like www.SearchGodsWord.org it has a place to check which translation you want and one of the choices is KJV with Strong's and you just click on the word you want the original in. Really a helpful site. I got a Greek/Hebrew study bible for Christmas and love it except it is NIV and I don't really like that translation so I still have to dig.

[Catsmeow]

Thx, Word..I'll go and check out that source....

I also found a great source for word histories...I just go to Webster-Merriam Dictionary and it's amazing how much stuff you can get off their website on any word you type in....TOO COOL!