SCRIPTURE: 2 CORINTHIANS 12
MEMORY VERSE:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
PAUL’S VISION AND HIS THORN (vs. 1-10)
Paul did not want to boast about himself except about his weaknesses because he did not want anyone to think more of himself than was warranted by what he did or said. God had given him a thorn in his flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment him. He pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away but the Lord said : “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, Paul boasted all the more gladly about his weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on him. For Christ’s sake, Paul delighted in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when he is weak, then he is strong.
PAUL’S CONCERN FOR THE CORINTHIANS (vs. 11-21)
Although Paul considered himself as nothing, he was not the least inferior to the “super-apostles”. He had done the things that marked an apostle – signs, wonders and miracles – with great perseverance.
Paul wanted to visit the Corinthian church the third time but he wouldn’t be a burden to them because what he wanted was not their possessions but the brethren. Paul had never been a burden to the Corinthian church. He did not exploit them through any of the men he sent. I sent Titus who did not exploit you because we acted in the same spirit and followed the same course.
Everything Paul did was to strengthen them. He wished that when he visits them in the future, there will be no quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. He wished that God will humble him and he will grieve over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.
THOUGHTS:
The Bible did not mention what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was. But it was a chronic and debilitating problem and a hindrance to his ministry. He prayed for its removal, but God refused. However, the thorn kept Paul humble and reminded him of his need for constant contact with God. It benefited those around him as they saw God at work in his life.
God did not remove Paul’s affliction but he promised to demonstrate his power. Sometimes, affliction may make us weak and become discouraged. But God is going to display His power by giving us courage and hope. As we recognize our limitations, we will depend more on God rather than on our own capability. Our limitation will help us develop Christian character and deepen our worship to God. When obstacles, hindrances and setbacks come, let us depend on God to make us more effective in doing His work that has lasting value.
When the church in Corinth doubted and questioned Paul’s authority, he defended himself for the cause of the Good News and not to satisfy his ego. He explained that he did not become a burden to the church but still they misunderstood him. He clarified that everything he did for the believers was for their edification, not to enrich himself.
Paul wrote this letter sternly to the Corinthian church before his third visit with the hope that they would straighten their lives before he arrived. As believers, we must not let culture influence us nor let secular society dictate our behavior.