Boasting of His Weakness

Text: II Corinthians 12:1-10

 

I.         False teachers of the Jewish persuasion had entered the congregation in Corinth

            A.        They wanted to convince the brethren that they had to follow the Law of Moses to be acceptable to God.

            B.        The problem was dealing with Paul.

                        1.         His teaching was clearly contradictory to their own

                        2.         Thus, they began spreading doubt on Paul’s credentials

            C.        Paul countered this directly - II Corinthians 11:1-3

                        1.         Paul’s chief concern is how willing the Corinthians were to accept a different teaching - II Corinthians 11:4. 19-20

II.        Compared to these false teachers, Paul realizes that he appears to be weak - II Corinthians 11:21a

            A.        Not that he hasn’t shown evidence of strength - II Corinthians 11:21b-28

            B.        He shows weakness because he empathizes with those who are struggling - II Corinthians 11:29

            C.        But he would rather boast in his weakness - II Corinthians 11:30-31

III.       Paul’s early flight

            A.        Soon after he became a Christian, Paul was preaching in Damascus - Acts 9:19b-22

            B.        But the Jews were not happy about this development - Acts 9:23-24

            C.        With the help of his fellow Christians, he escaped Damascus - Acts 9:25; II Corinthians 11:32-33

            D.        What Paul is saying is that he saw this running off as a sign of weakness

                        1.         Think about other times

                                    a.         When facing down the false prophet Elymas - Acts 13:8-11

                                    b.         When driven out of Antioch of Pisidia - Acts 13:50-51

                                    c.         At Lystra, Paul is stoned, but he goes back into the city - Acts 14:19-21

                        2.         Paul is not the type of man to run

                        3.         But I’m sure his enemies made the most of the fact that he did stay and face them in Damascus

IV.      Paul’s infirmity

            A.        Paul relates a story of himself, told in the third person - II Corinthians 12:1-4

            B.        Why third person? - II Corinthians 12:5

                        1.         You would expect someone who received such a glorious vision to boast about it and make frequent references to it.

                        2.         Paul is only bring it up because it explains what happened next

            C.        He could boast and be telling the truth, but he wants to be known for who he is and not for his past accomplishments - II Corinthians 12:6

                        1.         Who is he?

                        2.         A poor speaker who is not much to look at - II Corinthians 10:10

            D.        Instead, he mentions what resulted from his heavenly vision - II Corinthians 12:7

                        1.         What his infirmity was is never mentioned

                                    a.         He did mention having a problem in Galatia - Galatians 4:13-14

                                    b.         Whatever it was, his description of it is something painful

            E.        He asked three times for it to be removed, but he was told that Jesus’ grace was sufficient - II Corinthians 12:8-9

V.        Who is stronger?

            A.        The false teachers who talked boldly and eloquently, and never faced difficulties?

            B.        Or Paul who faced multiple hardships because of his beliefs and kept going? - II Corinthians 12:10

            C.        And what about you?

                        1.         Do challenges in life weaken you or make you stronger?

                        2.         Is your life about yourself or about the Lord you serve?