The Affliction of the Thorn Part 3 (2 Cor. 12:7–10) By Babatunde Olugboji
Paul points out in 2 Corinthians 19 that he is content with his weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; that when he is weak, he is strong. Being weak and strong at the same time seem odd. But Paul comes to this triumphant conclusion in his thorn experience. This is also probably the high point of the entire letter to the Corinthians. 
This verse crystallizes and illuminates Paul’s entire argument in 2 Corinthians. Having now seen the secret to the power of Christ coming upon him, Paul fills out what he means in verse 2 Corinthians 12: 9 by declaring: “I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses.” What kind of weaknesses? Paul answers with a list of five categories of increasing intensity of difficulty:
1. Weaknesses: the general, succinct category, denoting all fallen human incapacities.
2. Insults: mistreatment by others, whether with words or actions.
3. Hardships: experiences that squeeze Paul, forcing him to uncomfortable limits.
4. Persecutions: afflictions at the hands of hostile enemies.
5. Calamities: truly overwhelming experiences, devastating circumstances.
Paul says he is “content with” (Grk. eudokeō) these things, but the Greek verb is stronger than that. It means to “be well pleased with” or to “delight in” something and is used, for example, of the Father’s being “well pleased” with the Son. Paul is not saying he is merely “content” with every mortal weakness that renders him frail and seemingly vulnerable. He steps into them. He embraces them. This is not a tone of resignation but of eagerness. 
To be clear, Paul does not delight in the weaknesses in themselves. This is clarified by his addition of “for the sake of Christ.” Paul delights in weakness because it opens him up to heaven’s blessings and strength. His spiritual power surges forward.
To sum up: “When I am weak, then I am strong.” Paul refers not simply to isolated and occasional experiences of weakness, in which case strength ignites. The Greek word here rendered “when” (hotan) suggests that he has in mind a perpetual state of weakness, and thus a perpetual state of receiving divine strength. Paul saw now that his weakness was not an obstacle to but the gateway for God’s strength.
There is a way ability, strength, and success feel safe. But they may be dangerous; they may create conceit. Inability, weakness, and failure feel dangerous. But they are safe ground, creating humility.
Beyond this, our lowly weakness physically, psychologically, intellectually, educationally, and even spiritually is precisely the catalyst for divine power. Power for calm, growth, joy, communion with God, evangelistic unction, and spreading the good news. In short, for fruitfulness in the Christian life. Jesus himself taught, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit” (John 12:24).
Do we long for our lives to make a difference for Christ? We ought not be discouraged by our smallness, our foibles, our past, our stumbling. We can take these things and offer them to God. He can do far more with these than with our areas of strength. This does not mean we are consciously avoiding exercising the areas where we are strong (see 1 Corinthians 12:4–11).
It means that as we exercise our areas of gifting or strength, we do so in a manner demonstrating that we are aware of our spiritual ineffectiveness to bring any lasting fruit out of our own strength or smartness. We rely on the strength of God.
To be continued…
Have a great week.
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