2 Corinthians 12:1-10
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.” – 2 Corinthians 12:8-9
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In today’s passage, Paul continued to respond to those who questioned his apostolic authority. While his opponents boasted about power, achievements, and spiritual experiences, Paul chose to go the opposite direction, boasting in his weaknesses. He emphasised that true apostolic authority is not about outward glory, but about experiencing God’s grace and power in weakness.
He speaks of himself (in the third person) being caught up into the third heaven, into paradise, where he heard indescribable revelations. Yet Paul intentionally downplays this, refusing to use mystical experiences to elevate himself. Instead, he wants people to recognise God’s work through his life, faith, and present faithfulness. For believers today, spiritual authority is likewise not measured by achievements, talent, or the number of visions, but by whether one lives out Christ and allows God to shape the inner life.
To prevent pride from deep spiritual experiences, Paul was given a “thorn in the flesh”—painful, troubling, and beyond his own ability to resolve. He prayed three times for God to remove it, but the Lord answered: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (v.9a)
This means that the thorn may remain, but God’s grace continues to be effective and always enough. Paul came to understand a profound spiritual truth: human weakness becomes the stage on which God’s power is displayed. Thus he says, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (v.9b) Paul was not celebrating pain itself, but celebrating the reality that in pain he could experience God’s power, glory, and presence in a deeper way.
In today’s society, we are surrounded by a success-driven culture; even within the church, we prefer talking about victories rather than struggles. We highlight results but avoid admitting weaknesses. We rely on ability, networks, and personal strength more often than we say, “I can’t.” But God said to Paul, as He says to us: Christ’s power is not revealed when we are strong, but when we acknowledge we cannot, and that we need Him.
Many times, our issue is not that we are too weak, but that we are too confident in ourselves, which prevents God from working as He desires. Thus, weakness is not shameful. What is truly tragic is refusing to depend on God in our weakness. Like Paul, when we face challenges we cannot solve, physical limitations, pressure, exhaustion, or ministry struggles, God may not immediately remove the “thorn.” But He will surely supply all-sufficient grace to carry us through. Even more, we gain precious treasures in the process: A deeper knowledge of God, a more genuine trust, a humbler character, and a more powerful testimony of Christ.
Paul’s life proves this truth: Weakness is not the end of God’s power; it is the doorway through which His power enters. May we learn to rely on the Lord in our weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon us.
Reflection:
1. Is there a “thorn” in your life today, something you cannot solve on your own? Do you believe that in such weakness, God’s grace is truly sufficient for you?
2. Looking back on your journey of faith, when did you experience God’s power most deeply? In moments of success, or in moments of weakness, helplessness, and desperate prayer?
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, I confess that I often measure spiritual effectiveness by worldly standards of success and rely too much on my own strength to face life’s challenges. Thank You for reminding me through Paul that Your grace is made perfect in weakness. Teach me to depend on You in difficulty, to trust You in limitations, and to look to You when I feel helpless. May my life become a vessel that testifies to Your power. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Click to Read
In today’s passage, Paul continued to respond to those who questioned his apostolic authority. While his opponents boasted about power, achievements, and spiritual experiences, Paul chose to go the opposite direction, boasting in his weaknesses. He emphasised that true apostolic authority is not about outward glory, but about experiencing God’s grace and power in weakness.
He speaks of himself (in the third person) being caught up into the third heaven, into paradise, where he heard indescribable revelations. Yet Paul intentionally downplays this, refusing to use mystical experiences to elevate himself. Instead, he wants people to recognise God’s work through his life, faith, and present faithfulness. For believers today, spiritual authority is likewise not measured by achievements, talent, or the number of visions, but by whether one lives out Christ and allows God to shape the inner life.
To prevent pride from deep spiritual experiences, Paul was given a “thorn in the flesh”—painful, troubling, and beyond his own ability to resolve. He prayed three times for God to remove it, but the Lord answered: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (v.9a)
This means that the thorn may remain, but God’s grace continues to be effective and always enough. Paul came to understand a profound spiritual truth: human weakness becomes the stage on which God’s power is displayed. Thus he says, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (v.9b) Paul was not celebrating pain itself, but celebrating the reality that in pain he could experience God’s power, glory, and presence in a deeper way.
In today’s society, we are surrounded by a success-driven culture; even within the church, we prefer talking about victories rather than struggles. We highlight results but avoid admitting weaknesses. We rely on ability, networks, and personal strength more often than we say, “I can’t.” But God said to Paul, as He says to us: Christ’s power is not revealed when we are strong, but when we acknowledge we cannot, and that we need Him.
Many times, our issue is not that we are too weak, but that we are too confident in ourselves, which prevents God from working as He desires. Thus, weakness is not shameful. What is truly tragic is refusing to depend on God in our weakness. Like Paul, when we face challenges we cannot solve, physical limitations, pressure, exhaustion, or ministry struggles, God may not immediately remove the “thorn.” But He will surely supply all-sufficient grace to carry us through. Even more, we gain precious treasures in the process: A deeper knowledge of God, a more genuine trust, a humbler character, and a more powerful testimony of Christ.
Paul’s life proves this truth: Weakness is not the end of God’s power; it is the doorway through which His power enters. May we learn to rely on the Lord in our weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon us.
Reflection:
1. Is there a “thorn” in your life today, something you cannot solve on your own? Do you believe that in such weakness, God’s grace is truly sufficient for you?
2. Looking back on your journey of faith, when did you experience God’s power most deeply? In moments of success, or in moments of weakness, helplessness, and desperate prayer?
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, I confess that I often measure spiritual effectiveness by worldly standards of success and rely too much on my own strength to face life’s challenges. Thank You for reminding me through Paul that Your grace is made perfect in weakness. Teach me to depend on You in difficulty, to trust You in limitations, and to look to You when I feel helpless. May my life become a vessel that testifies to Your power. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.