Paul speaks in these verses of his own weakness and his thorn in the flesh.

It shows that the affliction was still clinging to Paul, and that there was lying in his mind when he wrote, not only the memory of the incident, but the sense of the still abiding power and value of Christ's grace; so that because the Lord hath said "my grace," etc., Paul can now say, under the continued affliction, wherefore I take pleasure, etc., for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong. Grotius has collected several similar passages from the classic writers which may serve to illustrate this expression. The "My" is omitted in some of the oldest manuscripts; the sense is the same, "power" (referring to God's power) standing absolutely, in contrast to "weakness" (put absolutely, for man's weakness). The sense is, that the power which Christ manifested to his people rested with them, or abode with them in their trials, and therefore he would rejoice in afflictions, in order that he might partake of the aid and consolation thus imparted.

The "for" implies, thy "strengthlessness" (the same Greek as is translated "weakness"; and in 2Co 12:10, "infirmities") is the very element in which My "power" (which moves coincident with "My grace") exhibits itself more perfectly.

Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

I never knew a Christian that was not ultimately benefitted by trials.

If Paul had this support, he might well bear the trial; and if we have this assurance, as we may have, we may welcome affliction, and rejoice that calamities are brought upon us. 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. (2) the Christian is a gainer by trial. The favor of the Redeemer is more than a compensation for all that we endure in his cause. They only need to depend on God, and upon his kindness (grace). It is true, also, that where things are in themselves proper to be asked, Christians sometimes ask them in an improper manner, and this is one of the reasons why many of their prayers are not answered. The force of the perfect tense is to be insisted on. If the thing were obtained, who can tell how soon we might forget the benefactor and become proud and self-confident? 26, says, "We are best where we are weak." I never knew one who did not find that he had gained much that was valuable to him in scenes of affliction. It was the design of God to humble Paul; and this could be much better accomplished by continuing his affliction and by imparting the promised grace, than by withdrawing the affliction and withholding the grace.

most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknessesἡ γὰρ δύναμις ἐν ἀσθενείᾳ τελειοῦται There seems to be an allusion to the word "Shaddai", an appellation of God, for my strength is made perfect in weakness; by the "strength" of Christ is meant, not his strength as the mighty God, but that communicative strength which he has, and is in him as Mediator, and which saints look to him for, and receive from him; this is "made perfect in" their "weakness"; not that their weakness can add perfection to his strength, for his strength is perfect in itself, not to say anything of the contradiction such a sense carries in it; but the meaning is, that the strength of Christ is made to appear, is illustrated and shines forth in its perfection and glory, in supplying, supporting, and strengthening his people under all their weakness; and if they were not left to some weaknesses in themselves, his strength would not be so manifest; see most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities; in the weaknesses which attended either his body or soul, through the buffetings of the angel Satan, rather than in his visions and revelations; or rather than insist upon his departure from him, he is content things should be as they were, since he had such a promise of a sufficiency of grace to bear him up, under and through whatever was the pleasure of God concerning him; and since the strength of Christ was made illustrious through his weakness, so that Satan was not able to make any advantage over him, he is willing to remain in the same posture and condition: may rest upon me, or "tabernacle over me"; he considered himself as a poor weak feeble creature, and the power of Christ as a tabernacle over him, as the power of God is represented as a garrison about the believer, (4) He concludes that he will only set his miseries against the vain braggings of the false apostles, and with this also excuses himself, because by their troublesome braggings he was forced to speak as much of those things as he did.

Hence, learn:(1) That a Christian never loses anything by suffering and affliction. He said that he had pleaded with God to remove this “messenger from Satan” (2 Cor 12:8) but God’s reply was our verse 9.God will not have us stand on our own strength.