Thorn in the Flesh: How to Embrace Weakness (2 Corinthians 11)



How do you make sense of ongoing weakness, unanswered prayer, or personal limitation, especially when you are faithfully trying to serve God? In this episode, we will look at Paul’s mysterious “thorn in the flesh” and why God sometimes says no.



If you have ever felt like your weakness disqualifies you, this passage may change how you see your story.



The Setting: Paul’s Final Section and His Opponents



When we left Paul last week in chapter 11, he engaged in what he called foolish boasting. His opponents not only rejected Paul, they boasted about their own superiority. So Paul decides to give them a taste of their own medicine. He says, this is foolish, but if they are going to boast this way, then let me show you I can beat them at this game.



They boast that they have authority because they are Jewish. He replies, I am Jewish too.



They boast that they are hardworking, self-sacrificing servants of Christ. He replies, I am even more so.



Then Paul gives a description of the sufferings he experienced because he is an apostle. He highlighted the seriousness and significance of his sufferings for Christ.



But from the perspective of Paul’s opponents, those sufferings make him look weak.



Boasting in Weakness and the Damascus Escape



If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands. - 2 Corinthians 11:30-33



Two questions come to mind.




* What does Paul mean by boasting in what pertains to his weakness?



* Why does he tell this story about being let down in a basket in Damascus?




He just told dramatic stories about being beaten with rods, whipped and shipwrecked, and then he ends with this story about how he was let down out of the city in a basket. What is he thinking?



Let’s review his foolish boasting. He said, are they Jewish? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I am more so.



If you had not read what comes next, what would you expect him to list to prove he is a better servant of Christ?



We might expect a list like this: I converted many people in Athens. I founded many churches in Macedonia. I freed many people from demon possession. I received the blessing of the church in Jerusalem. I preached before kings and rulers.



That list would demonstrate what a great servant of Christ Paul is. It is about significance and power. And it is true that Paul accomplished many impressive things throughout his ministry.



But the list Paul actually gives also looks like the description of a loser from the perspective of his opponents. His claim to fame is being beaten, whipped, in fear for his life, and oppressed by his worries over the people he ministers to. Where is the victory? Where is the power?



Paul knows how this list sounds. So he embraces the implications head on: If I have to boast, I will boast in what pertains to my weakness. I admit it. I have suffered and I have faced death over and over again. I am not embarrassed that this list shows my weaknesses. My weakness is an important part of my true boast.



As an apostle, he sees himself as a weak man serving a powerful God.