When in Weakness… Here’s How to Respond

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

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 encouraging them to remain faithful in their walk with Jesus Christ. In this paragraph, Paul explains how God works in life to help him change and provides grace in weakness.

Notice Paul’s Resolve

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 from fourteen years earlier where he either went to heaven or received a vision of it from God; although spectacular, Paul determined his experience 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.

Paul’s Strength in His Weakness

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 welcomed, 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.

Consider the following as you reflect on this article:

We may wonder how often a vision of the future realities of heaven provided Paul strength and motivation when he faced some of his greatest hardships. Instead of that experience, we have the sure Word of God to help provide grace to us in our hardships.

How have you experienced God’s grace in your own weakness?

As you prepare to minister to others, 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?

Present your thoughts about the relevance of this devotional to our anticipated learning this week in the discussion forum. Use the devotional rubric to guide your first post and interactions with others.

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