When Paul wrote the letter we call 2 Corinthians, weakness was on his mind. Paul’s authority was being attacked by leaders in the Corinthian church who also claimed to be apostles.
And surprisingly, Paul agrees with nearly all of their accusations! He really is as weak as they say. But he says he “boasts” in his weakness because his authority and hope comes through Christ’s strength.
Here’s the kinds of weakness Paul’s boasting about:
- Weakness in Influence: “For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” (10:10)
- Weakness in Confrontation: “You bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face. To my shame, I must say, we were too weak for that!” (11:20-21)
- Weakness in Temptation : “To keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (12:7-9)
- Weakness in Suffering: “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (12:10)
- Weakness like Christ: “For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God.” (13:4)
- Weakness in Our Own Authority: “We are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority.” (13:9-10)
Like Paul, we can “boast” that Jesus uses fallen and foolish, sinful and stupid people like us as he moves across the islands and around the world.