| "Three times I appealed to the Lord about this [thorn in | | | | it both ways. If we die to self for others, others will die |
| the flesh of Satan], that it would leave me, but he said | | | | to their selves in order to give us life, surely. What we |
| to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for [my] power is | | | | lose on the swings we pick up on the round-a-bouts; |
| made perfect in weakness.' So, I will boast all the more | | | | and we don't receive these 'pick-ups' from ourselves |
| gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ | | | | but from others. |
| may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with | | | | The point of verse 10 really is when and how the |
| weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and | | | | source of power is manifested. It's actually in |
| calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am | | | | weakness that Christ's strength and power is most |
| weak, then I am strong." | | | | noticeable. Weakness is not to be rejected or avoided; |
| 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NRSV) [added information] | | | | it's to be embraced without fear in the perfect faith |
| INTRODUCTION | | | | that in it God's presence, power, and glory can be |
| Paul's theology of weakness is propounded throughout | | | | most demonstrated and seen. When we think about it, |
| the letter of 2 Corinthians. He corrects the false | | | | we have weakness, or better put, we are subject to |
| Corinthian perception and understanding of what the | | | | weakness, endlessly. As "good as [courage and |
| 'true' gospel Christian life consists of. Christianity is not | | | | human strength] are, such qualities tend to push us to |
| triumphalism for its sake alone. It's a quieter, assured | | | | self-sufficiency and away from God-dependency."[14] |
| resilience in the power of God. It's both bolder and | | | | When we accept and work with our present |
| relevant to the 'eternal' world. It gives us power to do | | | | weakness (insults, persecutions, difficulties, and |
| good, and strength to be noble. It is paradoxical. When | | | | hardships) it shows we're patient beyond any worldly |
| we are weak, we are ironically at our strongest. Most | | | | standard. This is exactly the show of Christ's power |
| people do not understand this power that comes from | | | | that honours the king of salvation. |
| God. | | | | Perhaps the typical worldview of 'Christian' existence is |
| DISCUSSION | | | | what Mahatma Ghandi called "a negation of Christ's |
| There are many hooks with which this message of | | | | Christianity."[15] This devout Hindu could see that |
| Paul's seeks to anchor onto. Paul's message of | | | | Christian believers not living in weakness were |
| grace-strength in weakness is consistent with the | | | | ineffectual for the gospel because they simply didn't |
| theology in his other letters, for instance Philippians, with | | | | resemble Jesus! Ghandi was quoted as criticising |
| regard to working in the strength of Christ.[1] Further, in | | | | Westernised approaches to Christian organisation, |
| Romans 7 and 8, Paul speaks of his frustrations with | | | | worship, and modern ministry, imploring Christians to |
| sin and also of the power of God to help take us | | | | "simply cling to the Sermon on the Mount."[16] It's a |
| anywhere we need to be, and certainly deliver our final | | | | mystifying incongruity that Jesus' key teaching is so |
| hope. Indeed, in every one of his letters he speaks of | | | | often ignored by practicing Christians. We look at it and |
| this power of God requisite in the spirit of each faithful | | | | shake our heads. How do we truly live this Christian |
| believer; the power of grace (viz, divine provision and | | | | life? Surely it doesn't need to be this way, or this hard, |
| power). It's clear that this form of grace is not about | | | | does it? Yet, it's in living Matthew 5-7 that we gain the |
| 'forgiveness,' but about 'life eternal'; i.e. the spiritual life. In | | | | real meaning to gospel living. It was Jesus who said |
| this way Paul shows the consistency of his thought | | | | we must lose our life to save it, after all. |
| and a common thread through his epistles. | | | | In the final analysis, Paul faced mounting pressure from |
| Paul effectively links this part of his conclusion to the | | | | people who considered themselves 'better' apostles of |
| Corinthians to the very start of his first canonical letter | | | | Christ's word. Having not been commissioned by |
| contrasting human wisdom with God's. The key | | | | human authorities, Paul was tasked to minister to the |
| schema is God's "power [and wisdom and possibly | | | | Corinthians by Christ. He needn't have defended |
| even favour] is manifested in the weak."[2] (Italics | | | | himself. But "by setting out the divine principle of power |
| added for emphasis.) This was directly at odds with his | | | | manifested in weakness, Paul has at once defended |
| opponents who thought God naturally favoured the | | | | his own claim to apostleship and cut the ground from |
| strong. This was the root cause of the Corinthian | | | | under the claims of his opponents."[17] In relating his |
| dilemma it seemed. The Corinthians typically treated | | | | trials with the Corinthians, not only does Paul present |
| Christ as lord of blessing, and sought to understand the | | | | the truth, and teach it no less, what he says vindicates |
| gospel message in ways of true Greek philosophical | | | | his very person. He is both model example and |
| understanding; that is, in triumph, with complete | | | | self-illustrator. |
| autonomy and freedom, and without accountability, and | | | | We read this 'tearful letter,' both emotionally and |
| certainly no criticism. It is clear that they had missed the | | | | inspirationally. 2 Corinthians is brutally honest and |
| point of Christ's suffering and death for their lives. That | | | | forthright. It's Paul's response as he climbs back up |
| God might have had a purpose in suffering, and that | | | | from the canvas having been dealt a flurry of sharp |
| weakness might also be a way toward knowing and | | | | blows! But, it is Paul who delivers the knock-out punch |
| experiencing greater wisdom, power, and favour was | | | | and it is truth that wins the day; a truth that was |
| lost on these early, budding believers. This particular | | | | fundamental to the gospel. |
| passage in question (12:8-10) emphasises this linkage of | | | | CONCLUSION |
| irony and truth with 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, in my view, | | | | This message of Paul's to the Corinthians is consistent |
| book-ending the Corinthian corpus. | | | | and powerful. He recognises their poor understanding |
| A THORN IN THE FLESH | | | | which is patently revealed in inconsistency and |
| We all have 'thorns in the flesh.' These are manifested | | | | application of gospel living. The key to this |
| in many ways, from limitations in abilities[3] (which | | | | misunderstanding seems to be addressed at least |
| everyone has) to physical or mental disabilities, which | | | | partially in what he communicates in 12:8-10. Paul |
| are permanent or semi-permanent impairments (which | | | | learned by hard experience that Christian living is |
| comparatively few have). Paul names his problem or | | | | anything but easy and though Christians have access |
| torment as a 'messenger of Satan' because it | | | | to the power of God, it is not for self-glory, but for |
| presumably hinders his work for the gospel.[4] For Paul, | | | | God's. We draw strength for living despite what we're |
| it might have been that his thorn (Greek word skolops, | | | | afflicted with. |
| i.e. a "serious annoyance" like a continual splinter or bee | | | | For every false prophet and evangelist preaching the |
| sting) was a form of "divine protection" against pride.[5] | | | | 'prosperity doctrine' of health, wealth, and happiness for |
| He was gifted spiritually with the ability to receive | | | | every Christian, Paul springs back with the insult of the |
| visions and revelations and this could have been | | | | cross of Christ. We have God's grace and that's |
| adulterated through his own selfish boasting. And this is | | | | enough[18] for us to deal with anything life can throw |
| Paul's argument. He thanks God for it -- the thorn, for | | | | at us; it is that and so much more. |
| he recognises its role. Likewise, if God gave us natural | | | | Copyright © 2008, Steven John Wickham. All |
| abilities and they weren't harnessed, we'd most | | | | Rights Reserved Worldwide. |
| certainly abuse them -- and we often do anyway. It's | | | | KEY QUESTIONS |
| why natural talent alone is never enough to succeed in | | | | Do you have a 'thorn in the flesh,' in the form of a |
| any grand field of endeavour. It must be accompanied | | | | temptation or physical ailment, a disability or simply an |
| with the right attitude and temperament, character no | | | | inability to do something, and if so, how do you counter |
| less. If we boast, we boast then in things worthy of | | | | it? |
| boasting about. | | | | When did you last read Matthew 5-7 and reflect on its |
| The section, "My grace is sufficient for you," is put in a | | | | meaning in your life? If you read it recently, which parts |
| very definite sense. What Jesus is actually saying is | | | | caused you most consternation? How could you live |
| "not subject to change or revision."[6] It is final. Paul had | | | | more in line with Jesus' core teaching contained within |
| to get used to the idea of his 'thorn in the flesh' but had | | | | the Sermon on the Mount? |
| the provision of grace (divine power) to overcome | | | | This theology of strength in weakness doesn't sound |
| whatever Satan (or his own desires) threw at him. The | | | | very saleable for Christianity does it? Yet, when we |
| level of grace was sufficient to get him through, in all | | | | consider that we have these 'thorns' whether we like it |
| cases. This grace required weakness on Paul's part to | | | | or not, why is it that more non-believers don't convert |
| work. This divine power couldn't be perfected or | | | | to Christ, when he is clearly the answer? |
| brought to completion without weakness and | | | | REFERENCES |
| suffering.[7] It is perfect irony. If Paul decided to be | | | | [1] See particularly Philippians 4:12-13, "I know what it is |
| 'strong' (by having stood in his own resources) the | | | | to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In |
| grace provided would have been ineffective as he | | | | any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of |
| simply wouldn't have drawn from it. He'd choose to be | | | | being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty |
| self-sufficient. We all might recognise this 'self-strong' | | | | and of being need. I can do all things through him who |
| situation personally when leaving the 'straight path' God | | | | strengthens me." (NRSV) |
| gives us. God's provision of grace (divine power) only | | | | [2] C.L. Kruse, 2 Corinthians - The Second Epistle of |
| works when we maintain a 'straight path' as mentioned | | | | Paul to the Corinthians, Tyndale New Testament |
| in Proverbs 2-4, which is dependence on God and not | | | | Commentaries, (Leicester, England & Grand |
| on our own understanding.[8] The thought of straying | | | | Rapids, Michigan: InterVarsity Press & Wm. B. |
| from the roadway at 100 kilometres per hour should | | | | Eerdmans Publishing Co.), p. 207. |
| provide a salient and troublesome image of the | | | | [3] See Multiple Intelligences theory. Howard Gardner |
| destruction that awaits us in leaving the 'straight path.' | | | | posited this theory in the 1983 publication, Frames of |
| Leaving the spiritual path is no less costly; it mightn't be | | | | Minds, and designated intelligence into eight broad |
| physical death but it is spiritual death for the time. But | | | | areas: body smart, group (interpersonal) smart, math |
| further to our leaning on God's understanding is the | | | | logic smart, music smart, nature smart, picture smart, |
| promise that Christ takes up residence in us when | | | | self (intrapersonal) smart, and word smart. It is usually |
| we're oppressed.[9] "Only to the extent that [Paul] | | | | expected that everyone is 'smart' in three areas, and |
| embraces his human weakness does he 1) fully | | | | 'not so smart' in another three. |
| depend on and 2) qualify for God's power."[10] | | | | [4] L.L. Belleville, 2 Corinthians - The IVP New |
| VICTORY OF FAITH -- SUFFICIENCY OF SPIRIT | | | | Testament Commentary Series, (Leicester, England: |
| At times our faith fails us. And because we 'go it alone' | | | | InterVarsity Press, 1996), p. 308. |
| we cannot seem to affect the change in our lives that | | | | [5] F.J. Matera, II Corinthians - A Commentary, The |
| we wish to see. Is it God's grace not being quite as | | | | New Testament Library, (Louisville, Kentucky: |
| 'sufficient' as we'd like it to be? Are we even drawing | | | | Westminster John Knox Press), p. 282. |
| on the resources of his Spirit? God never promises to | | | | [6] L.L. Belleville, Ibid, p. 308. |
| fix everything for us. He is not there to serve us and | | | | [7] F.J. Matera, Ibid, p. 284. |
| our wants. The refreshing thing is we instinctively know | | | | [8] See Proverbs 2:13; 3:6; and, 4:11. |
| this is the truth. Paul attests to the truth we already | | | | [9] F.J. Matera, Ibid, p. 285. |
| know. God does not deliver us, or deliver for us, in the | | | | [10] C.S. Keener, 1-2 Corinthians - The New Cambridge |
| way we'd expect. The great thing in this is no matter | | | | Bible Commentary, (New York: Cambridge University |
| what we suffer, grace (to handle what is before us) | | | | Press, 2005), p. 239. |
| comes to our rescue. No wonder we're 'more than | | | | [11] See Romans 8:37. |
| conquerors.'[11] Jesus said to his followers, "In this world | | | | [12] John 16:33b (NIV) |
| you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome | | | | [13] See also 2 Corinthians 4:10-12 as Paul talks about |
| the world."[12] What an incredible concept it is, if we | | | | the treasure within our jars of clay. |
| face things -- anything -- with courage, we have the | | | | [14] L.L. Belleville, Ibid, p. 311. |
| resources of God's Spirit at our side. Why is there any | | | | [15] R.L. Deats, Mahatma Ghandi: Non-violent Liberator; |
| need to undergo depressions and other spiritual ills? | | | | A Biography, (Hyde Park, New York: New City Press, |
| One reason: no matter how mature we get, we're | | | | 2005), p. 39. In this work the author also refers to |
| never beyond Christ, who is moulding our characters | | | | Methodist missionary, E. Stanley Jones' enquiries of |
| each moment in history. Our role is to always strive to | | | | Ghandi and Ghandi's famous four statements that |
| become overcomers, knowing his divine power is both | | | | would augment Christianity's level of acceptance in |
| promised and available. He will never ever leave us | | | | India. Refer to my article "Message for Christians from |
| and never ever totally forsake us. | | | | an Indian Hindu". |
| Most people don't want to hear this gospel truth -- the | | | | [16] R.L. Deats, Ibid, p. 39-40. |
| need to overcome difficulties -- though. Why believe in | | | | [17] C.L. Kruse, Ibid, p. 208-9. |
| God when he won't answer the way I want him to? | | | | [18] H.S. Shoemaker, Strength in Weakness - A Lyrical |
| What sort of world would we have if everyone had | | | | Re-presentation of 2 Corinthians, (Nashville, Tennessee: |
| their own way? The real point of the gospel way is | | | | Broadman Press), 164-5. The conclusion to this chapter |
| 'death to self means life for others.'[13] We can't have | | | | is blunt. |