2 Corinthians 12

Boasting in Weakness: A Deeper Look at 2 Corinthians 12

In 2 Corinthians 12, the apostle Paul walks us through a series of experiences and teachings that challenge our understanding of strength, weakness, and God's grace. As we dive into this chapter, we’ll explore how Paul uses his own life as an example to teach us about authenticity, humility, and the surprising strength found in weakness.

Boasting in Weakness: Paul’s Radical Approach

Paul begins this chapter by addressing the issue of boasting, a theme that has surfaced repeatedly in his letters. The Corinthians, influenced by so-called "super-apostles" who prided themselves on their spiritual experiences and eloquent speeches, had begun to question Paul’s credibility. These new teachers loved to boast about their visions, their spiritual knowledge, and their personal achievements, but Paul takes a different approach.

In verse 1, he writes: "If I must go on boasting, I will boast of the things that show my weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Instead of listing his accomplishments or recounting his visions, Paul acknowledges that he could boast about his credentials—his Jewish heritage, his rigorous study of the Torah, and his conversion on the road to Damascus. But instead of boasting in those things, he boasts about his weaknesses because it is in those moments that the power of Christ is most clearly revealed.

This is a deeply countercultural idea. In a world that prizes strength, achievement, and self-sufficiency, Paul flips the script. He shows us that true strength comes not from boasting in our successes but from embracing our limitations and allowing God’s power to shine through our vulnerabilities.

The Thorn in Paul’s Flesh: God’s Mysterious Gift

One of the most perplexing parts of this passage is when Paul speaks of a "thorn in the flesh" that he has endured. Paul writes:

"To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me." (2 Corinthians 12:7-8)

We don’t know exactly what this "thorn" was—whether it was a physical ailment, a psychological struggle, a relational issue, or something else entirely. But what we do know is that it was something Paul prayed earnestly to be rid of, but God chose not to remove it. Instead, God responded with a profound message:

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

This is a tough pill to swallow. Paul, who had experienced so much—shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonments, and countless other hardships—now faces a trial that he is told to endure. But what he learns through this experience is that the very thing that keeps him dependent on God is the thing that enables him to experience the fullness of God's grace. It’s a powerful reminder that our weaknesses are not obstacles to be overcome but opportunities for God’s power to be made manifest.

Living With Our Thorns: Embracing Grace in the Struggle

So what does this mean for us? Paul’s experience with his thorn teaches us that it’s okay to have struggles. In fact, sometimes our struggles are precisely what we need to keep us humble and dependent on God. When everything is going well, it’s easy to forget that we need God. But when we’re faced with difficulties, whether they are physical, emotional, or spiritual, we are reminded of our dependence on His grace.

Paul writes in verse 10:

"For when I am weak, then I am strong."

This paradoxical statement is a central theme in Christian faith. In our culture, strength is often equated with self-sufficiency, success, and control. But in the Kingdom of God, strength is found in our surrender to God, in acknowledging that we are not enough on our own and that we need His help.

Boasting in Weakness: A Transformative Mindset

This idea of boasting in weakness is revolutionary. It challenges us to rethink how we view success, strength, and power. Instead of hiding our weaknesses or pretending to have it all together, we are invited to embrace them, knowing that it is in those very moments that God’s power is most clearly displayed.

In a world that celebrates self-reliance and the appearance of perfection, it’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison, especially when we see others seemingly thriving in their lives. But Paul’s example calls us to live differently. He shows us that authentic power comes not from our own achievements but from recognizing our need for God and allowing Him to work through our brokenness.

This doesn’t mean we should stop praying for deliverance or healing. Paul himself prayed three times for his thorn to be removed, and it’s okay for us to do the same. However, when God’s answer is "no" or "not yet," we can rest in the assurance that His grace is enough, and that His power will be made perfect in our weakness.

Living With the Right Perspective

Paul’s words in this chapter call us to audit our hearts and examine what we are truly boasting in. What are we relying on for our identity and sense of worth? Is it our accomplishments, our reputation, or our status? Or is it our deep, unshakable reliance on God’s grace?

When we reflect on this, we come face to face with the fact that our weaknesses—those things we try to hide or fix—are actually the very places where God wants to show up. As we grow in grace, we learn that our vulnerability isn’t something to fear but something to embrace. In our moments of weakness, we are positioned perfectly to experience God’s strength and power.

Ultimately, like Paul, we are invited to boast not in our strengths but in our weaknesses, because it is there that Christ’s power is most fully displayed. Let us continue to press into God’s grace, trusting that when we are weak, we are strong in Him.

Why Do We Fight for Others?

One of the most striking things about Paul’s ministry is his unwavering commitment to people—even when those same people are fighting against him. We’ve all seen how social media can become a battleground, where voices of opposition seem to drown out any message of unity. It’s easy to get discouraged when it feels like you’re giving everything to help others, but they just keep pushing back. Paul knows this experience intimately.

But what drove him to continue? What motivated him to fight for those who were so quick to misunderstand or reject him? We believe it’s his deep understanding of how much God loves him, and how much God has pursued him. In Paul’s case, it wasn’t about him being so great—he was, after all, the persecutor of the church before his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. But God, in His mercy, pursued Paul, stopped him in his tracks, and revealed His love for him. This kind of radical love—God’s pursuit of us despite our faults—shapes the way Paul ministers to others.

We too are called to pursue people the way Jesus did—to love not because they deserve it, but because God has loved us first.

Love in Action: Not Just Words, But a Lifestyle

In the latter part of the chapter, Paul gets into some practical examples of how he and his team have shown their love for the Corinthians. He points to the actions of Titus and others who were sent, emphasizing that they did not exploit or take advantage of the Corinthian believers. Instead, they modeled generosity and walked in integrity. Paul makes it clear that his goal has never been to burden or manipulate them; rather, he’s worked hard to demonstrate Christlike love through his actions.

When we think of love, it’s tempting to think only of feelings—love as an emotion or a warm, fuzzy sensation. But true love, the love Paul speaks of, is about what we do, not just how we feel. It’s about our actions being in alignment with our words. Paul wasn’t defending himself for selfish reasons; he was speaking in the sight of God, aiming to strengthen the Corinthians in their faith. This was not just about him. It was about them—about their spiritual growth, about them becoming who God designed them to be.

We are reminded here that love isn’t always easy or comfortable. It’s not about avoiding conflict or protecting ourselves from pain. Sometimes, loving others means confronting hard truths, addressing sin, or making sacrifices. But just as Paul’s goal was the spiritual strengthening of his readers, so too should our love for others push us to help them grow in Christ—sometimes, even when that process is painful.

Building Up, Even When It Hurts

Love builds up, but as we all know, building up isn’t always easy. It can feel like we’re being torn down at times. Confrontation, especially when it’s necessary to address sin or bad behavior, can be uncomfortable. Yet, Paul shows us that these moments of discomfort are often the very places where true growth happens. Just as a house is built through careful construction and sometimes even demolition, the church of Jesus Christ is built through the hard work of loving confrontation, truth-telling, and grace-filled restoration.

Paul’s ministry exemplifies this: He didn’t shy away from difficult conversations because he knew that confronting sin was necessary for their spiritual maturity. He stayed in the ring because he believed that, in the end, they would become who God had called them to be—and that was worth every moment of struggle.

So, when we find ourselves in contentious situations, we can remember Paul’s example. The goal isn’t to win an argument or prove ourselves right. The goal is to help others grow into the image of Christ, to see them mature spiritually and be conformed to God’s will. The goal is that, in the end, the kingdom of God would expand, and more souls would be won for Christ. This is the kind of love we are called to live out—a love that is willing to suffer, to confront, and to sacrifice for the good of others.

Love Means Being Vulnerable

In the closing verses of this chapter, Paul opens up about his fears and grief. Despite his confidence in the power of the gospel, he also expresses his vulnerability: He’s afraid that his efforts may not work, that the Corinthians may not be receptive, that they may even turn away from Christ. But these feelings of fear and grief are not a sign of weakness. Instead, they reveal the depth of Paul’s love for the church. He’s not afraid because he’s unsure of God’s power; he’s afraid because he cares deeply about the spiritual well-being of the people he’s ministering to.

There’s something deeply profound about this vulnerability. Love requires a certain openness and willingness to be affected by the people we care about. Paul isn’t detached or aloof; he’s invested. And it’s in this investment, this willingness to feel the weight of the situation, that we see a model for our own relationships.

In our own lives, when we care about someone, we often open ourselves up to the possibility of pain—whether it’s the pain of disappointment, the sorrow of seeing them struggle, or the fear that our love might not be enough to change them. But this is the price of love. It’s about being vulnerable, about letting our hearts be moved by the people we’re trying to serve, just as Christ’s heart was moved by us.

A Call to Die to Ourselves

Ultimately, Paul’s ministry, and the love he shows, is a model of the cruciform life. Just as Jesus laid down His life for us, so we are called to lay down our lives for others. We may not face the same literal death that Jesus did, but we are still called to die to our own comfort, our own desires, and our own selfishness in order to love others well.

Paul models this kind of sacrificial love. He stays in the ring, continues to pour himself out, even when it’s hard, because he believes in the kingdom potential of the people he’s ministering to. He knows that through his love and investment, others can come to know Christ and be changed forever.

As we think about our own relationships and ministry, we are invited to live this same kind of love. It’s not always easy, and it’s not always pleasant, but it is always worth it. Let’s follow Paul’s example: loving with humility, confronting with grace, and staying the course because we believe in the power of the gospel to change lives.

This is the kind of love that builds up the church. And in the end, it’s the kind of love that brings glory to God.