If I must boast, I will boast of the things which concern my weaknesses.
Read Chapter 11
Ambrosiaster
AD 400
Paul is saying this because if a Christian must boast, he should boast in humility, from which comes growth in God’s sight. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.
Of the things which concern mine infirmities. I will glory of the afflictions, blows, persecutions, and sufferings that I have borne for Christ. Through them I seem weak, i.e, despicable, mean, and worthless (Chrysostom). Observe that Paul glories not in his miracles but his infirmities, because in them there shines forth the effectual power of God"s grace, and also because in these he surpassed the false apostles, and thirdly, because they are the tokens of real virtue and of an Apostle.
Do you see that he no where glories of miracles, but of his persecutions and his trials? For this is meant by weaknesses. And he shows that his warfare was of a diversified character. For both the Jews warred upon him, and the Gentiles stood against him, and the false brethren fought with him, and brethren caused him sorrow, through their weakness and by taking offense:— on every side he found trouble and disturbance, from friends and from strangers. This is the special mark of an Apostle, by these things is the Gospel woven.
