Why Christians Have Such a Hard Time with 'Power Made Perfect in Weakness'
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Power made perfect in weakness points toward a spiritual paradox difficult to grasp but life-changing. I don’t know about you, but I don’t flaunt my weaknesses. I am more apt to try to hide them. As a Christian, I sometimes feel my weaknesses render me vulnerable and reflect an anemic faith. Although at times that may be the case, Scripture also presents an opposite truth.
The world has just watched its fittest and most powerful compete in the 2020 Olympics. We recognize the discipline and labor involved. We applaud the hours of training to become participants on a world stage. Power made perfect in weakness seems unnatural and illogical in the physical realm, however, in the grueling climb of strengthening our physical bodies, we find parallels with the spiritual realm as well.
What Does 'Power Made Perfect in Weakness' Mean?
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV.
Paul writes these words to the Corinthian church, one battling with sins inside their church body much the same as those outside the church. After Paul’s first visit, the church had changed for the better. Still, there were some in conflict with Paul and his preaching. In a culture that elevated physical prowess, Paul found himself face to face with an unnamed weakness. He calls it a “thorn in the flesh” so overpowering he sought God to take it away. But God’s response to Paul instead was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Various English translations use “strength” and “power” interchangeably. The original Greek word has a familiar ring to it. Dynamis, strength, power, or ability, is the word from which we get our word dynamite.
The emphasis Paul is making is not about his own personal power or physical ability. God is assuring Paul that the very thing which plagued him, whether it was related to health, relational or situational, was the very thing through which God showed His power. Paul could not fix it. He had no power to change it. Yet, from such weakness God Himself had a free stage to exhibit His strength.
God works from our lowest platform. A submitted humility is a prerequisite of salvation, repentance, and discipleship. It is a fundamental teaching of Scripture. When Jesus lived on earth, he displayed the principle by bringing a little child before his sometimes-power-seeking disciples.
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” Mark 10:14-15 NIV.
King David recognized the importance of brokenness when he repented from his sin with Bathsheba.
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise” Psalm 51:17 NIV.
Paul’s conclusion about his own thorn in his flesh was one that did not just show acceptance for something unresolvable, but more importantly, recognized God’s will and the continuing sufficient grace which it accompanied. It offered God’s never-ending supply of abundant power in an area where he needed it most because there his lack was greatest.
Paul’s words turned the logic of our preconceived notions of weakness and strength topsy-turvy.
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” 2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV.
How Is This Phrase Counter-Cultural?
The phrase “power made perfect in weakness” is dissonant with today’s culture and its obsession with power. Power is sought, looked up to, and praised. It’s taught, emulated, and admired. Media and books tout and idolize strength. Every age, gender, and ethnicity exalts power and debases weakness. The quest for power weaves its influence into diet, clothing, relationships, and purpose.
We live in a time and culture chasing after strength. The world’s definition of strength and God’s definition are not the same. The world would define power through our own ability to overcome what we are almost impotent to alter. The spiritual paradox of power made perfect in weakness implies that the very areas of our lives we fail at controlling are foundational to God’s working His power in us.
Our salvation is accomplished through no personal merit or work. For it is by grace we are saved. It is an act of God, impossible by human means, undeservedly given.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV.
In the spiritual realm, recognition of our inability invites the power of God to do what cannot otherwise be done. These spiritual muscles develop by learning to trust God with our most vulnerable areas.
What Is the Context of 2 Corinthians 12:9?
Paul’s opponents argued that his sufferings as an apostle called into question the Spirit’s work in his life. Conflicting voices debated his humble acceptance of defeats which made him appear to some as weak. Worldly Corinthian thinking elevated the wrong things. His qualifications as an apostle were called into question.
But Paul had reason to boast. His credentials of hard work, schooling, birthright, and supernatural encounters may have brought commendation. His accomplishments might have produced recognition. He could have claimed the rewards of his experiences.
Paul did not want to raise himself up and his purpose in listing achievements was not for self-glory which was repugnant and meaningless to him. Yet he admitted his weaknesses also served against conceit.
“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given 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 NIV.
This “thorn” may have been a physical issue, or perhaps a person or situation. Scripture doesn’t specify. Satan wanted to use it for Paul’s defeat. Paul asked God to remove it, but God responded with “my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Paul’s response to God’s answer was submission. It is in this Paul turns the spiritual turntable. Paul in his flesh did not have the power to overcome whatever weakness plagued him but his weakness brought the power of God to the forefront. It changed what many would want to hide and made weakness the object of boasting because God’s power is demonstrated perfectly. Weakness is not the negative we humanly consider it to be, but the means instead for God’s greatest glory to be revealed.
Satan’s purpose was thwarted.
4 Ways God's Power Can Be Made Perfect in Weakness Today
Approach weakness with spiritual eyes.
What God does not say in this passage is also significant. He doesn’t assure Paul that he’s got what it takes. He does not counsel him to reach down deep inside himself and find a strength hidden within. He didn’t suggest a bigger faith, a healthier lifestyle, or better mental or emotional health.
God takes Paul to His own grace and power first. He assures Paul that He has what Paul needs.
Pray about what is causing you trouble.
Paul’s example of a spiritual Christian is one who prays first. Paul didn’t ignore the problem nor was he ambivalent to it. He passionately asked. He repeated his plea. And he prayed specifically for the weakness to be taken from him.
Be humbly submitted.
Paul’s example of a spiritual Christian whose prayer is not answered in the way he desired is also a testimony to us of how we should respond when that happens. It shows humble submission while pointing with absolute certainty that God can use the very thing which makes us seem weak to demonstrate His power instead.
Embrace sovereignty.
God’s accomplished will allows His power to be displayed. The paradox of power made perfect in weakness is amazing proof of the Spirit’s work to both believers and unbelievers.
God is full of grace and power. Given by God, they are part of the believer’s cache of abundance in Christ, sufficient and complete for every weakness.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/BulatSilvia
Her love for pasta and all things Italian stems from years of ministry abroad. She’d love to tell you about it over a steaming cup of cappuccino. Connect with Sylvia on her blog, When the House is Quiet, her Facebook page, or Twitter.
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