Strength in Our Weakness

2 Corinthians 12:1–10 CSB

1 Boasting is necessary. It is not profitable, but I will move on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows. 3 I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know; God knows—4 was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a human being is not allowed to speak. 5 I will boast about this person, but not about myself, except of my weaknesses. 6 For if I want to boast, I wouldn’t be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, 7 especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself. 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul was choosing to boast because the so called “super apostles” were boasting about their strengths - again their main complaint was that Paul was not doing ministry the way they thought he should be, they thought their way was better.

Paul takes it up a notch - he goes from describing the trials he endured to higher spiritual encounters… like visions.

Paul says, “I know a man…”, here Paul is speaking in the third person about himself - boasting without boasting.

He describes a time he was caught up to the third heaven - Jewish leaders added the idea of 7 heavens or 7 levels of heaven in the Talmud however, there is not biblical evidence of 7 levels of heaven.

What we do have is several different words used and translated at heaven - 1 is speaking of our atmosphere or the sky we see, the 2 is speaking of the “heavens” or outer space and the 3rd is the dwelling place of God - this is the 3rd heaven Paul was speaking of, he was in God’s presence so to speak.

God can and will use you in amazing ways for His glory.

You may not see visions but God will use you.

The reality is that whatever He does in and through you is for one purpose - bringing Him glory.

We must be careful not to take what God is doing in or through us and make it about us.

God can allow circumstances in our lives to keep us humble.

Paul said he had a “thorn in his flesh” or side as some translations say.

He also says it was a messenger of Satan that was causing the problem.

We are not clear what it is Paul had - some ideas are: a physical aliment, a speech impediment, maybe some severe temptation, or as is common for many pastors - oppenents in the church.

God doesn’t always take away our troubles, but He does use them.

We’ve already mentioned how He uses them for His glory.

He also uses them to build us up, to strengthen our faith in Him.

Because of God’s grace we can be thankful for the hard times.

Whether weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions and various difficulties we can rejoice.

We know that in those times that we will see God.