The Lodestar

At least some people in Corinth questioned Paul’s authority as an apostle. They questioned how Paul, who is physically weak, unattractive, and very low in rhetoric, and who spends most of his time in jail, could be an apostle. They took his limitations as evidence that God was not with him.

In response, in 2 Corinthians, Paul argued that he is not doing ministry by his own strength or abilities but by the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him. In a highly passionate way, he described his ministry by the power of God as weak jars brimming with the power within:

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you” (2 Cor 4:7—12).

Paul has no claims on his life and ministry; it is all because of the Lord. The power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in him gives the strength, words, itinerary, and all that goes into the work of an apostle.

God had used Paul to heal many people (Acts 28:8). He did not die when a viper possibly bit him (Acts 28:1—6). He even raised a dead man (Acts 20:9—11). However, though he prayed three times for his own healing, God did not heal him.

Though God did not change his condition, God offered him grace. He probably had poor eyesight or a bump on his back; we are not certain what the “thorn in the flesh” was. The Lord assured that Paul’s sickness would not limit his life and ministry; that is the deal God made with him. God will make up for the lack with his grace. The extra strength the ailment demands from him will be God’s, not Paul’s.

God assured him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” God’s grace provides power. For example, a lame preacher cannot move from one place to another as effortlessly as other able-bodied people do. But the fact that he still moves and preaches the Word and saves sinners means that he has received sufficient grace to do that.

He is weaker than others, but in strength, they are equal because of his lack, whether it is physical ailment, intellectual inadequacy, or material lack, everything is made by the power that the Lord’s grace supplies. Those who lack come with the larger bowls, and they get filled.

Weakness is something to be proud of. It is here that we experience divine grace in its abundance.

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