Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Ver. 10. Therefore I take pleasure] ευδοκω, I am well paid by them, I reckon them among God's love tokens, pledges of his love, and badges of my sonship.
For when I am weak, then, &c.] This is a seeming contradiction. God, saith Luther, doth most of his works in mediis contrariis, by contraries. Δια των εναντιων εναντια οικονομειται. He hath a way by himself, saith Nazianzen, that he may be the more admired.