Nov. 30, 2008
Background Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:16-12:10
Devotional Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Our scripture passage is intriguing because of Paul’s use of satire to get across his message.

There is a sarcastic playfulness about his words, but nevertheless a deep seriousness, too.

In 2 Corinthians 11 and 12 he uses the word “boast” 12 times, one of them in the past tense. He speaks of being or being thought a “fool” five times and twice as “foolish.” “Weaknesses” are mentioned four times and “weakness” twice. All of these negative terms he applies to himself, although he is probably merely repeating what others may have said of him.

There has been dissention in the Corinthian church and he is making his defense by using the very terms they have used against him. So, although some of the Corinthians may have spoken of him as “boastful,” Paul is not really boasting when he defends his authority as an apostle and recounts the suffering with which he has carried out his work (11:22-28).

 He is simply telling what his work has cost him personally: imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, perilous days at sea, danger from robbers, rivers, Gentiles, Jews, false brethren, sleepless nights, hunger and exposure to the cold.

No, Paul is not boasting, but testifying – for he was able to endure all these things, not because he is a strong and brave man in the popular sense, but because he is a servant of the Almighty God.

The wise fool

His detractors believed these experiences were evidence of Paul’s weakness, but he saw them as evidences of the strength given him by God.

That’s the problem with our concepts of “strength” and “weakness.” Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. appeared to be weak, but although they were struck down by assassins, their strength continues among us. Jesus was perceived to be weak, but he proved to be stronger than them all.

So, when Paul says he may be boasting, he is instead testifying. When he speaks of being weak, he is witnessing to his dependence upon the strength of God.

And, when he admits to foolishness, he is referring only to the world’s habit of misinterpreting true wisdom.

His detractors have claimed experiences of divine revelation. But Paul relates an ecstatic experience that he can barely describe. This is his only mention of it in his letters, nor does the Book of Acts recount it. Paul mentions it here only to refute the claims of his detractors.

The strong weakling
Paul evidently had some condition in his life that he believed God had sent to keep him humble. There are many speculations as to the precise nature of this “thorn in the flesh.”

But with this problem God was able to teach him one of the most important lessons of Christian discipleship: “Three times I besought 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.’”

In the midst of our own weakness we can discover the power which alone is able to see us through. It is the grace of God alone that gives us the power to walk faithfully through the valley of the shadow of death.

Not our strength – but God’s faithful presence.

Our real strength, then, is the unconquerable power of God’s grace. So, Paul – and we – can testify: “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardship, persecutions and calamities; for when I am weak, I am strong” (12:10).

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.