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.
Said - literally, 'He hath said:' His answer satisfies Paul.
Is sufficient. The trial must endure, but the grace shall also endure and never fail thee (Alford) (Deuteronomy 33:25; 1 Kings 8:59, margin). The Lord puts the words into Paul's mouth, that he might say, 'O Lord, thy grace is sufficient for me.'
My strength, х dunamis (G1411)] - 'power.' 'Aleph (') B Delta G f g, Vulgate, omit "my," power (namely, God's) being thus put absolutely in contrast to weakness.
Is made perfect - has its complete manifestation.
In weakness - infirmity. Do not ask for exemption from infirmity (strengthlessness), FOR my power is perfected in man's strengthlessness' х astheneia (G769)]: thy 'strengthlessness' [the same Greek as 2 Corinthians 12:10, "infirmities," strengthlessnesses: astheneiais (G769)] is the very element in which my 'power' (coincident with "my grace") exhibits itself perfectly. So Paul, instead of desiring the infirmity to "depart," rather glories in infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest [episkenosee, 'tabernacle upon,' cover all over as with a tabernacle; referring to the shekinah in the temple, the type of believers] (cf. Isaiah 4:5-6; Greek, John 1:14) upon him. This effect of Christ's assurance on him appears, 2 Corinthians 4:7; 2 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 2:3-4: cf. 1 Peter 4:14. Paul often repeats "weakness," 'infirmity' (2 Corinthians 11:1-33; 2 Corinthians 12:1-21; 2 Corinthians 13:1-14), as being Christ's word. The Lord more needs our weakness than our strength: our strength is often His rival; our weakness, His servant, drawing on His resources, and showing forth His glory. Man's extremity is God's opportunity; man's security, Satan's opportunity. God's way is not to take His children out of, but to give them strength to bear up against trial (John 17:15).