Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh…to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Can you think of a recent time in your life where you have felt helpless, vulnerable or weak? I am persuaded that we are all familiar with situations that take us out of our comfort zone and drain our strength.
It may be a result of all the pressures involved with study or work. Maybe you need to present an oral in class. Possibly you have an upcoming musical or drama performance, or a high-pressure sporting final. You could be anxious about your future and life after school. You may be facing a big project at work and there is considerable pressure on you. Possibly, there is ongoing issues in your life that don’t seem to go away. Maybe you have sick relatives who need constant care. You could be faced with a new job, or you have moved to a new location and left all the security of your previous life behind you.
To understand Paul’s argument in 2 Corinthians it is valuable to briefly examine his world and some of the thinking of the time. Julius Caesar in 46 B.C. celebrated a military triumph through the streets of Rome. This was applauding his armies’ victory over Pontus. A placard was a held beside Caesar while riding in his chariot with the saying “veni, vidi , vici .”, I came I saw, I conquered. You could say Caesar said, ‘might was right.’
Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians in 55/56 A.D. and stresses a countercultural concept-The weak become strong.
Tom Holland in his book “Dominion the Making of the Western Mind” describes how the cross was a sign of absolute Roman domination over the barbarians, non-roman citizens, and slaves of the empire. Those who were doomed to be placed on one, experienced humiliation and death. It is remarkable, that now it represents the antithesis of this brutal punishment. Instead, it is an icon of forgiveness, hope and love.
Jesus is a victim, crushed and killed by a hegemonic power. He is the prototype of the weak triumphing over the strong. The Roman Empire is long gone, but the heritage of a crucified and risen Christ continues. Consequently, Holland concludes that “Christianity it the most enduring and influential legacy of the ancient world.”
Paul makes this remarkable claim that when he was weak, anxious, vulnerable, with never-ending problems, he was strong. He was not overwhelmed, despite enduring constant physical persecution, several shipwrecks in Mediterranean Sea, plus the constant burden concerning the physical and spiritual well-being of the small Christian churches located all over the Roman Empire. Despite all this adversity, he was strong in the power of the Spirit.
He had full confidence that Christ would be sufficient in every circumstance to give him strength (Philippians 4:3). When he was at his weakest, then he was his strongest. The Holy Spirit, supplied him with wisdom, motivation, and the courage to face his many challenges.
Why is weakness so vital in the life of God’s Kingdom? It means we remain a humble and merciful people. We don’t lord it over others, rather we serve one another in love and humility. It keeps us dependent of God’s wisdom and strength for life.
In conclusion, let’s allow Martin Luther to unpack this concept of strength through weakness.
When I was abandoned by everybody, in my greatest weakness, trembling and afraid of death, when I was persecuted by this wicked world, then I often felt most surely the divine power in this name, Jesus Christ... So, by God's grace, I will live and die for that name.
Grace and Peace
Chaplain Peter
