"STRENGTH IN WEAKNESS" (An Article by Christian Henry) ~ 3/3/26

“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (II Corinthians 12:10)

The Corinthian church is currently directionless. They were fighting with each other, as well as with the apostle who had planted the church. Paul wrote this deeply personal and emotional letter to reaffirm their relationship. This epistle followed a particularly painful visit and a severe letter that addressed their immorality, prompting the majority of the church to repent of their earlier rebellion and challenge to Paul’s authority. Some criticized him for his weak appearance, lack of eloquence, and suffering, but he defends his apostolic ministry and actually rejoices in his trials.

A major theme in the verse we’ll be considering today is: the power of God shining through human weakness. He expresses his vulnerability, detailing his suffering for the Gospel and his deep care for a troubled church in a city known for its immorality and worldly standards of success.

The failings Paul dealt with in this life at first seemed bad but were actually used to his advantage and the exercise of God’s grace. They were used to illustrate, however imperfectly, the glory of Christ, making His grace, power, and strength all the more evident. By “infirmities,” he means all outward troubles, everything that is mean, abject, distressing, and afflicting in the world, whether from Satan or not. Children of Satan have aimed to tear Paul down by spreading lies and assassinating his character, credit, and reputation. Faithful servants of Christ must go through bad reports and suffer shame for the name of Christ.

The circumstances the apostle was sometimes reduced to often left him with a sense of want for the very common necessities of life. He knew hunger and thirst. He knew what it was like to be abused by the enemies of the Gospel, by whom he was severely beaten, scourged, and imprisoned. He faced so many difficulties, but “his stripes were the marks of the Lord Jesus; his chains were his crown, and his prison a palace to him.” (John Gill)

All suffering endured was “for Christ’s sake.” None of it was for any real crime, but for professing and preaching the Gospel. This being the reason made all these afflictions so delightful to him, having the love of God to comfort and assist him through the hard times. This is the ground and reason for his delight and pleasure in such tough times. Remember my article from last Thursday, Paul makes it clear that afflictions suffered for the sake of furthering the Gospel are worth it in the end.

When Paul had encountered the infirmities and difficulties previously, and by these had grown more sensible to his own weakness to bear and go through it all, then was he upheld by the divine arm and strengthened by the power of Christ. He was able to sustain the conflict and even triumph in the face of these adversities, even expressing the language of Joel 3:10, "…let the weak say, I am strong." The simple truth is that one who is weak themself and knows that is the case is strong in Christ and finds renewed strength in Him. Our human weakness may seem like handcuffs at first, but in the Lord, they become strength.