2 Corinthians · Chapter 12 · Strength

2 Corinthians 12:9 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context

For the day that asks more than you feel ready to give.

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Topics #strength #healing

Read in chapter context · 2 Corinthians 12

About 2 Corinthians 12:9

Paul had asked, three times, for a "thorn in the flesh" to be removed. The answer was no — but the no came with a different gift: a power that operates through weakness rather than around it. This is one of the few places in Scripture where God explicitly explains the reason for an unanswered prayer. The grace is sufficient not because the thorn disappears but because something stronger than the thorn becomes available. For anyone living with a chronic limitation — physical, emotional, vocational — the verse refuses the framing that the limitation must be fixed before God can work.

Both translations, side by side

WEB · World English Bible

"He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me."

KJV · King James Version

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses and, unto, thee, strength, while the WEB renders these as has, you, weaknesses. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.

In context

2 Corinthians 12:9 in 2 Corinthians 12

A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is 2 Corinthians 12:9 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of 2 Corinthians 12. Read the full chapter →

v.7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.
v.8 Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
v.9 He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
v.10 Therefore 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.
v.11 I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for in nothing was I inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.

Book background

About the Book of 2 Corinthians

Testament: New Testament
Genre: Pauline epistle
Author: Paul
Date written: c. 55–56 AD
Audience: The church at Corinth, after Paul's tense exchange with them
Chapters: 13

Setting: The most personal of Paul's letters — written from Macedonia.

Key themes: weakness · comfort · reconciliation · ministry · giving

Read 2 Corinthians from the beginning →

Memorisation aid

How to memorise 2 Corinthians 12:9

2 Corinthians 12:9 contains 38 words in 4 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.

1

He has said to me

HHSTM
2

"My grace is sufficient for you

MGISFY
3

for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses

FMPIMP
4

that the power of Christ may rest on me.

TTPOCM

Frequently asked

FAQ about 2 Corinthians 12:9

What does 2 Corinthians 12:9 say?

2 Corinthians 12:9 reads: "He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me." — from the New Testament, 2 Corinthians (Pauline epistle). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.

What book of the Bible is 2 Corinthians 12:9 in?

2 Corinthians 12:9 is in the book of 2 Corinthians, traditionally attributed to Paul and written around c. 55–56 AD. 2 Corinthians is pauline epistle in the New Testament, originally addressed to The church at Corinth, after Paul's tense exchange with them. Best known for "my grace is sufficient for you".

What is 2 Corinthians 12:9 about?

2 Corinthians 12:9 is primarily a Bible verse about Strength, with related themes including Healing. Within 2 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians is Paul's most personal letter — defending his apostolic ministry, describing the "treasure in jars of clay" (4:7), the new creation in Christ (5:17), and his own "thorn in the flesh. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.

What is the difference between 2 Corinthians 12:9 in WEB and KJV?

2 Corinthians 12:9 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.

How long is 2 Corinthians 12:9?

2 Corinthians 12:9 is 38 words in the WEB translation (195 characters), broken into 4 clauses. It is a longer verse, often broken into smaller phrases for memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 11 seconds.

How can I memorise 2 Corinthians 12:9?

To memorise 2 Corinthians 12:9, split it into its 4 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.

Why does 2 Corinthians 12:9 matter in 2 Corinthians?

2 Corinthians is Paul's most personal letter — defending his apostolic ministry, describing the "treasure in jars of clay" (4:7), the new creation in Christ (5:17), and his own "thorn in the flesh." Its theme: God's strength is made perfect in human weakness (12:9). 2 Corinthians 12:9 sits within this larger story — 2 Corinthians as a whole emphasises weakness, comfort, reconciliation.

How can I apply 2 Corinthians 12:9 today?

Many readers use 2 Corinthians 12:9 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download 2 Corinthians 12:9 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.

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