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Daily Devotions

2 Corinthians

2 Corinthians 
Day 
Day 169

"If I must boast..."

Text: 2 Corinthians 11:30

INFIRMITIES

Generally, people boast about their wealth, fame, or achievements, but hardly anybody boasts of “infirmities!”

“If I must boast, I will boast in the things
which concern my infirmity.
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.”
2 Corinthians 11:30-31

1. The use of a typical conditional sentence

a) If (The first part of a conditional sentence known as the “protasis”.)

b) Then (The second part of the sentence known as the “apodosis”.)

2. “If I must boast (protasis)”

a) Paul is not debating whether this is right or wrong.

b) He is merely postulating an argument for argument’s sake.

c) If one were to boast… and he is allowed to boast.

3. “I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity”

a) This is the second part of the conditional sentence.

b) There is an unusual statement here.

c) What was expected… the many achievements of Paul.

d) He did not do this!

e) He declared that he would rather boast in his infirmity.

4. What is the significance of this statement?

a) Paul listed a lot of things he had experienced (2 Corinthians 11:23-27).
b) He wanted his readers to know that he did not glory in the things he did.
c) He gloried in his knowledge that he has suffered “infirmity”. (The Greek word suggests “general weakness”.)

5.”The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever”

a) The Jewishness of Paul appears in this statement.
b) He invoked the name of the Lord God, the Father of Christ Jesus.
c) As he mentions God’s name, he adds “who is blessed forever” (typical Jewish expression).
d) This is akin to making an oath.

6. “Knows that I am not lying”

He calls upon God the Father to bear witness that he is speaking the truth!