“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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.” (2 Corinthians 12:9–10, KJV)
Often when I interviewed for a job, the interviewer would ask one question, which in my view was one of the silliest. The interviewer would ask, “What is your greatest weakness?” I stumbled around the question. Was I supposed to tell the person that I was deficient in some way? If I did not, did that mean I was too cocky? How do you answer such a question? I have thought of some possible responses. Here are a few.
My greatest weakness is that I cannot stand people who ask stupid questions like that. No, too abrasive. My greatest weakness is that I cannot figure out what my greatest weakness is. No, too cynical. So, I came up with this one, “My greatest weakness is that I work too hard and never give up.” This is partially true, since I was raised to be a workaholic. However, the main issue was one of keeping a balance between work, church, and family.
Yet, there is another thought that I never considered until I read this passage of Scripture. I heard a preacher speak on this passage once who made this statement, “My greatest strength is my greatest weakness.” This is a very astute thought. This man was a great preacher, he waxed eloquent. Because he was a great preacher, he was called to speak in large venues. Yet here was his problem. He could start to believe his own press and this could lead to him trusting in his speaking abilities to do something that only the power of the Spirit could. To minister the word of God like this would lead to powerlessness and failure.
Here Paul presented the antidote to powerlessness in the Christian life and service. After praying for the Lord to remove the thorn from his flesh three times, the Lord answered his prayer like this, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” God’s power is not manifested through human strength. It is manifested through human weakness. Man’s pride will always get in the way of God’s power. In hearing the Lord’s answer, Paul concluded that he must boast on his “infirmities,” astheneia, referring to feebleness of mind or body (Strong G769). The ESV translates it as “weaknesses.” Paul would boast in his lack of strength so that “the power of Christ may rest upon” him.
We must realize that apart from the power of Christ upon us, we can do nothing. Let us humble ourselves with this thought. Let us not trust in our human strengths. Let us rather humbly confess that we are weak and that we desperately need His strength. Understand the truth of what Paul wrote to the Philippians, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13, KJV) and apply it to ourselves.
Renewing the Heart 