Strength in Weakness

Later in the Apostle Paul’s ministry, he tells a significant story. In this story, he talks about an out-of-this-world experience God provided him many years earlier. He also describes his own significant personal weakness (a thorn in his flesh). God’s instruction to him regarding this thorn and his personal response to it provides incredible insight on how to respond to personal weakness. In fact, we learn how to have strength in weakness through God’s grace.

Background to the Story

In 2 Corinthians, Paul makes a defense of his ministry against those in the church who were criticizing him. These critics were hurting the church of Corinth. Paul writes to them, his fourth letter to the church, both defending himself and helping them to remain faithful in their walk with Jesus Christ. In this paragraph, Paul explains how God works in life to help him change. He explains that God provides grace in our weakness.

Paul’s Story

Paul boasts in his weakness and not as a fool (vv. 1-6). He only boasts because he is responding to his critics (v. 1). He explains this incredible experience where he either goes to heaven or gets a vision of it, although spectacular, is not worth discussing (vv. 2-4). Paul uses the third person to refer to himself. The vision is so spectacular, he cannot even describe the incredible nature of it. In fact, he is not allowed to tell all the spectacular things that he experienced – and that God has in store for us too. An absolutely incredible experience – possibly one of the greatest since Pentecost – and Paul does not boast in it. Instead, Paul will only boast in his infirmities (vv. 5-6). He does not want to be a fool, nor does he want anyone to think more highly of him because of his vision. Instead, he expects people to judge his words and works.

The critical part of this passage is this: Paul’s strength in His weakness (vv. 7-10). In God’s sovereignty, God used the suffering to help Paul remain humble (v. 7). God and Paul both understand that humility was desired and necessary. Because of this, God provided a thorn in the flesh. Evidently, it did the trick. As the text explains, Paul took the matter to God in prayer (v. 8). He asked God about it; in fact, He implored or pleaded to God three times.

Notice God’s response to Paul – God gives grace! (v. 9) What kind of grace? Sufficient grace that is made perfect in weakness. Notice also Paul’s response to God’s grace (vv. 9-10). Paul boasted in his infirmities so that the power of Christ would rest upon him. In other words, he had perspective on life’s greatest hardships. He was strong with Christ’s help and for Christ’s sake. Paul accepted, eventually even welcoming, his weaknesses because he knew that God used his weaknesses to make him strong for Jesus. These are important lessons for us to learn as counselors who also desire to humbly serve Jesus Christ for His glory.

How can we apply this?

Let me use three questions to help us apply this.

Question One: Wonder how often Paul’s vision of the future realities of heaven provided Paul strength and motivation when he faced some of his greatest hardships? Just think about it… he knew. He knew what lie ahead. On the moments where he was threatened with death, he knew. In Philippians when he described his constant desire to go to heaven, he knew. Just imagine how cool that was to live here on earth while knowing specifically what was ahead.

Yet, God did not tell him to live off of his experience. Instead, Paul depended upon the grace of God which made him strong in his weakness every day – just like us. Different than Paul, we have the sure Word of God to help provide grace to us in our hardships.

Question Two: How have you experienced God’s grace in your own weakness? Have you prayed and asked God to help you see the strength He provides to you in your weakness as well. Sometimes, we get so focused on the weakness that we miss the grace that God provides to us in it. This happens very easily. In your weakness, you can experience the greatness and sufficiency of God’s grace.

Question Three: As you prepare to minister and serve others in your own life, what lesson can you learn from this text that, if applied to your own life, will help you grow in your own faithfulness to Jesus Christ?