The Gift of Sufficient Grace
Study Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12: 1 - 10
Lesson 13

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Key Verse

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

INTRODUCTION

It is particularly important in this lesson that we pay attention to the context.  We could actually give the lesson several topics which would be all very appropriate, topics such as:

-the strength of grace in weakness

-when I am weak I am strong

-the relationship between ecstasy and pain or agony

-boasting in weakness.

All would be appropriate topics, for each represents important teachings in our study.

Let us look at the context briefly.  Some false apostles had come to Corinth and were boasting about their commitment, their faithfulness, and their exploits.  They were skillfully teaching false doctrines and so much so, that the Corinthians were being seduced into believing that they were really true apostles.  

It seems obvious that the false apostles were not only claiming that they were superior in eloquence, rhetoric, and knowledge of the truth. They were telling the brethren that they had many visions and revelations from God, parading these to develop their personal authority and status.  People still do that today.  

Paul was comparing himself to them and doing a little bit of boasting of his own.  But in fighting for the purity of the church in Corinth and to vindicate his apostleship, Paul did not relate things which would appeal to the Corinthian penchant for elevating things like, eloquence in speech, an impressive physical appearance, and a mouthful of erudite sayings.  

Instead Paul warned the brethren of the danger in satanic transformation of Satan's messengers as angels of light.(11:13-15)  

Then, pointing out that while he was as good as anybody else, and was an educated and highly recognized Pharisee, that was not his grounds for boasting. His grounds for boasting was the “shame” of sneaking out of Damascus as a wanted man, the brethren having to lower him down a wall in a basket.  The military men might boast that they were courageous enough to be first to climb up the walls of enemy cities and attack the enemy, but in doing his job he did it in reverse, and was the first apostle who had to go down a wall.  

In his apostolic career he was beaten five times with thirty-nine stripes (the maximum allowed was forty less one), was stoned, suffered shipwreck three times, as a result floating in the water on one occasion for one night and a day, suffered through various perils from the heathens, from nature, robbers, and his own countrymen, suffering hunger and thirst, cold and nakedness during his travels. (Read 11:24-28). All these things he had endured because of his caring for the churches.  

He considered it an honor to be rejected and assaulted, just as his Lord was.  Fiery trials were nothing new to him.  He was constantly humiliated, and appeared weak and foolish to men, simply because he was preaching a message that would powerfully save lost souls and bring glory to God.  

Paul made it clear that he had to live by the grace of God and keep his confidence in Christ, despite his tribulations, hardships, difficulties, and humiliating experiences.  

The true apostles were not like these boastful and arrogant false apostles.  Note that he did not list and display his scholastic achievements, the famous converts that he had made, the amazing miracles that he had performed during his ministry, the remarkably large crowds that he had preached to and the facts about the many churches he had established.  

Rather, he boasted about the amazing amount of hardships he had faced, the dangers that had surrounded him on every side, the embarrassments he had suffered in order to save his life.  We should keep in mind here that in all this God kept him, so he knew he belonged to God and was approved by God.  This marked him out as safe in the arms of God.  

Paul was very reticent to talk about his achievements.  He unlike some Christians, did not like to talk about himself and what he had done.  He did have a lot that he could boast about and in our lesson today he will describe an experience he had, which was something that we would think he should have long ago boasted about.  

Paul was strong in his view that one should boast only in the Lord. (10:1). If he was going to boast, he would boast about his personal weaknesses and about the Lord.  

In this lesson it is hoped that we learn that true spirituality is not the kind of spirituality we see all around us today.   

Many like to claim that they have immediate and complete power over Satan, and they dare to take on Satan, mocking him as if he had no power at all, rebuking him, binding him and so on.  But the apostle Peter describes these kind of people in unflattering terms, and puts it in 2 Peter 2:10-12 as follows.

“Presumptuous are they, self willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusations against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness..”  

We will learn several things about Satan, the relationship between God and Satan, how Satan operates, how God uses and controls Satan in guiding the saints.  

We will obtain a new perspective on suffering and adversity.  We will see that God does allow adversity to fulfill his divine purpose.  

We will learn what true power is, and hopefully we will reject the current fixation on, and fascination with power.  We should then move away from the much praised and sought-after performances of power, the many manifestations of human power, the motivational speakers who speak and write so much about positive thinking, the human potential, and the power within us.  

We will begin to see that prayer is not a way for us to manipulate God.  Prayer is among other things, evidence of our awareness of our great weakness.  

We will see that God's power is perfected in our weakness.

We will hopefully learn that God works in unusual ways to humble men and exalt himself.  God is not interested in glorifying men.  He works through the weak and foolish and those that cling to him for power, wisdom, and grace.  

We will learn that God's grace is sufficient.

Hopefully we will examine ourselves, and maybe learn that we might have a “thorn in the flesh”, something that God wants us to have.

Hopefully we might then learn how to use it in our life to show the grace and power of God, bring good in our lives and bring glory to God.

THE TEXT

Verse 1.  

Here Paul expresses his reluctance to get into the boasting business, indicating that it is really not profitable for him to boast.  He finds it not in his interest to talk about any visions or revelations that God has given him for the purpose of elevating himself.  Paul’s desire was to make Christ the main focus of anything he did.  However, Paul realized that at the particular time the Corinthian church or many members are concerned with the visions, revelations, or miracles that some said that they were receiving in order to confer to themselves some greater spirituality.  

In writing to the Corinthians he was trying to get them beyond an immature stage of their Christian development and so he adjusted his tactics a bit and apparently became like those who are boasting about what God had done for them in the area of visions or revelations.  

Paul however, knowing that not everyone who claimed to have visions and revelations from God have been spoken to by God in this manner, used the opportunity to point them to how they and us should deal with private experiences.   

True visions from God are not given for personal self –aggrandizement or to give a person status and authority. A person can receive visions or revelations, but as Paul taught previously, gifts or knowledge given by God are to be shared with others only for the edification of the body and to accomplish specific goals laid down by God, for the benefit of the body of Christ.  

Believers know that God often revealed himself, as recorded in the Old and New Testaments, by way of visions.  We know that God used visions to guide Paul.  In Acts 16:9, Acts 18:9-10 we are given this information.  We also know that apostles such as Peter in Acts 10:17-19 ,11:5 and 12:9 had visions. The apostle John had many visions on the isle of Patmos .  A believer named Ananias, who was not an apostle, had a vision to go to Saul after his Damascus Road experience.  See Acts 9:10.  

So we should not be surprised if God speaks to us through some type of vision or revelation.  But note also that these subjective experiences can be misunderstood and misapplied, and so caution should be exercised.  

Visions are more often than not very private experiences, and in this case Paul appears very reluctant to share this information.  This is of course quite contrary to the behavior of those in Corinth and many who live nowadays. The people then, just as the people now, loved to puff themselves up, and make themselves appear important because of the visions they claim they had received.

Verses 2-3.   This vision that Paul recounts is in a class by itself, for he says that God took him to Heaven and then took him back to earth. Paul uses the third person instead of the first person to describe this experience.  He does not say at the beginning ‘I myself had this experience’, but in verse seven he shifts to the first person, to tell us that he is really talking about himself.  It is clear however and widely accepted that the man to which Paul is referring is himself.  

The ‘super apostles’ that were attacking Paul in Corinth would never have approached this vision experience in this way, for they wanted to glory in their visions.  But Paul distances himself from that kind of behavior when describing his remarkable experience. Note however, when describing his humiliation he is quick to write in the first person.  

It is clear that Paul is being very careful in telling about his experience, for he obviously does not want to bring glory to himself.  We will see why he is so careful later on, but it seems he does not want to elevate himself or think of himself as being more important than anybody else, simply because God had blessed him in this exceptional way.  

Note that this experience happened fourteen years previously.  Scholars have speculated from the second century when this experience could have happened, but there is no agreement among them.  Note however that Paul kept quiet about this for fourteen years and was still reluctant to mention it.  

It is a safe bet that if anyone nowadays went into the presence of God, they would never keep quiet for fourteen years, but would grab the first television and radio personality, and newspaper reporter that they could find, and capitalize on their experience.  They would get an agent to schedule numerous speaking appointments, make a movie for TV or the widescreen, get book contracts, and never let us forget their experience.  

Paul does not do that.  He's silent and waits for the right time to mention it, and that time came fourteen years later.  God led him to use his experience to help the Corinthian brethren come back to the truth, and reject the seductive stories of visions, revelations, and ecstasies by the false prophets.  This is amazing integrity.  

It would be interesting to discuss what really happened Paul, whether his spirit was separated from his body or what happened, but we do learn something, by his own admission, he did not know how it really happened.  If he did not know, how can we?  So we must exercise caution and reject those that claim to have massive amounts of detail about their out of body experiences.  It would be most difficult to describe that kind of ‘unhuman’ experience, contrary to what people like to make us believe.  

It clearly transformed Paul, as that kind of overwhelming experience is wont to do.  He knew that he was unable to describe what happened, for when he experienced this event, his great intellectual could not even find words to describe the presence of God.  

Note that Paul emphasized the point he did not know, by repeating the idea twice in verse one and then in verse three.  So let us not waste time speculating.  

Note that Paul was caught up to the third Heaven.  But the word ‘third’ should not be interpreted to suggest different levels in heaven.  In current Jewish thought at that time, the first heaven referred to the clouds, the second heaven to the starry sky, while the third Heaven was the place where God lived and reigned.  

It was commonly accepted that the third heaven was beyond the sight of human beings. It was the dwelling place of God and His attendant heavenly beings, whom He would send to protect Israel and the righteous.  Paul mentions that this man was caught up to the third heaven.   

Concerning the event that happened to Paul, he says that he is not sure whether or not he was brought up to heaven in the flesh ( in the body) or whether it was his spirit that had separated from his body and was taken up.  He is quite uncertain about this fact and repeats his uncertainty in verses two and three for emphasis.   

However, what can be noted is Paul clearly believes that it is possible for someone to be brought up to heaven (the third heaven) and that it is possible for the body and the spirit to be  separated.  Scripture warns that a body of sin cannot go to heaven.  

It is possible that Paul speaks again in the third person in modesty and humility, trying to impress among the people at Corinth and even those reading today, that the focus should be on Christ and not what visions have been given to His believers.   Paul is also trying to relate his experience to others without trying to bring any glory to himself. 

Verse 4.   Paul was caught up into paradise, and so we know that paradise must be the third heaven.  As previously mentioned, it is the place where the angels live and the dwelling place of God. Paradise is definitely not on earth.  

It is important that we stop here and realize that Paul is not describing a fantasy.  He did enter the invisible dimension of life and reality.  This dimension exists, it is there and it is not visible to our present senses.  In this dimension the body is not unimportant, but it is not of critical importance, and it is a dimension where he was apparently relaxed and enjoyed himself, being totally fascinated with what he saw.  We cannot go there except God takes us there.  

It is important therefore to realize that there is much more to the universe that we can ever imagine.  We must never ever disobey God, misbehave, and ruin our chances to see the amazing things that God has created.  It really makes no sense to follow the ‘flesh’ for the few years that we have on this earth, and make it impossible for us to enjoy eternity, to forever experience the fantastic, amazing and unusual things that God has made for us to enjoy.  

God's mind is infinitely creative.  He has made things and will make things that neither humans nor the angels can ever imagine.  

We must never give that up.  We must never void the opportunity to experience things that we will marvel at even in our transformed state.  Brethren, being an unbeliever is a disaster, no matter how we look at it.  It is not logical. It is not sensible.  It is not reasonable.  It is not wise.  The person that is not in God is a fool, a total, absolute fool.  

When we ‘taste’ of God and prefer darkness to light, when we continue to disobey his words, and treat his Commandments lightly, we are simply fools.  It makes no sense.  Let us commit ourselves to following after God, obeying without question the instructions of the Apostles.  

Note that Paul speaks briefly about his vision.  It is also somewhat vague, for he tells us that he either could not express what he had seen, an experience similar to those prophets who also had a vision of Heaven, or he was not permitted to tell what he had seen.  

Since the angels attend to God in this place, it is not hard to believe that Paul heard and saw wonderful things.  He states that it is not lawful for a man to utter.  Clearly, Paul realized just as John did how unholy and sinful he was.  He may have done this for any number of reasons.  We can speculate that like others so privileged, he might not have had the words to describe what he saw.  

Remember the prophet Ezekiel had a great problem describing where God was, and the things that he saw around the Throne of God. Daniel, Isaiah, and John in Revelation had the same problem when trying to describe heavenly things.  

Or Paul may have thought that it was wise not to go into too much detail for people might use his experience and begin to worship or create worship of things that are in the third heaven. 

Verse 5.   Paul wants to stop the bragging in Corinth .  So he is saying that this person who had this vision given to him, had been given something of which he could boast.  The reason is clearly that God had bestowed upon him a gift of immeasurable portions.  To show someone what heaven was like, to be in the presence of angels who attend God, to be in the place so holy, to know that God’s presence is abundantly there, is quite a blessing.  

Paul also states that he himself had no reason to glory. Paul felt that it was no great thing for him to propel himself to any high status.  He's really saying ‘let someone else do that but not me’.   The only thing that he will boast about is his weakness.  

What Paul demonstrated was a very humble spirit in the face of high advancement by God.  That is to say, he did not feel any more worthy that others, nor would he attribute what had transpired as any indication that he was more righteous that any other, but that God had done this thing for a purpose.  

It would be very interesting to see the face of the Corinthian braggarts when they read this.  Surely they would have realized that they were wrong, that they were being fools.  

Paul would not be a fool. He depended on Jesus.  As Jesus has promised, he will be with us, and to that end God took what the devil was doing with the pride he was bringing to Paul to destroy him, and turned it around, using events to advance His own purpose. 

Verse 6.   Paul knew because of all that was happening to him that he was in danger of being lifted up with pride (For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool).   

So Paul spoke reluctantly.  Paul really heard the ‘heavenly language’ and he knew that it was incredible.  The Corinthian false prophets claimed to speak the tongues of angels, boasting that they could speak the heavenly language, but Paul tells us that the real heavenly language was too wonderful to be repeated.   

It is rather strange that people consider that the babbling sounds of the sin laden human tongue can even come close to the sounds of a heavenly language. People seem to forget that everything about a person will be transformed so that it will be able to deal with heavenly things.  

The Apostle who was there, and who could speak about visions and revelations had a different approach from those false apostles and from those today who tell us that when they go to heaven they saw beautiful landscapes, men in shining garments, and quiet countrysides, which all sound remarkably like earth.  Brethren, the glories of  Heaven cannot be imagined.  Heaven is not quite like earth.

Then as now, these who claimed to see God rush to get celebrity status and power but Paul was very different.  

Paul's concern that people will not judge his standing before God because of this glorious vision is obvious.  He thinks that it is foolish to glory.  Even if a man might desire to glory that is foolish and he would not be a fool.  

He is emphatic that what they see when they look at him and interact with him is what they are getting.  He is not unusual.  He is a man.  They should not glory in a man.  A man is weak, finite and has a tendency to do what is foolish.  The relationship must be based on what is required of a man in Christ, who is a servant of Christ.  So he will not boast in his vision.  

We should learn from this that there are some who have important experiences with God but who do not boast about them constantly.  They know that boasting is not good and is really the practice of fools. Paul never did and they were to follow his example.  

Actually, the proof of our deep spiritual experiences are to be found in our transformed life, the truths that we do communicate to others, and our service to others.  If there is no obedience to God and his Commandments, love, deep concern for others, then our so- called deep experiences are not of great help to anybody.  

So we are benefited from the teaching of the Apostle.  Our visions are supposed to transform us.  The brethren must see a changed and totally transformed life.  This life must be powered by love.  There can be no boasting, no envy, no lust, no lying, none of the fruits of the flesh.  

The really transformed person owns that they are simply a person being transformed by the grace of God.  The gifts of God are gifts, not something earned.  If it was given, one cannot boast because one possesses the gift.  

In the previous verse we learn that Paul had come into the knowledge that his infirmities which God allowed, were given to keep him humble, since he was not perfect.   

We too must realize that since God loves us, He will take whatever measures He deems necessary in order to ensure that we remain humble and pride does not hinder our worship.   

This is just another indication of who is really in control.  Many times, due to the trials and tribulations that constantly bombard Christians, we feel that God is not there for us.  We do not want to understand that God allows trials for his purposes.  

This should make us begin to think at this stage that God uses the work of the devil in a constructive way.  It is rather ridiculous when men twist the gospel into something which promises that we will have Heaven on Earth.   

It is very attractive to think that Christians will not have trials, sufferings, things happening that we would wish away.  But we read in Acts 14:21-22 that the Apostles had to strengthen the souls of the disciples telling them that through many tribulations they enter into the kingdom of God .  Some seem to believe that they are specially protected, that the present ‘apostles so-called’ have a right to live charmed lives as the prosperous and wealthy, and are not like the first Apostles.  No wonder Paul told these foolish false apostles that he was glad to be a fool for God.  

Jesus himself warned us that we must take up our cross and follow him.  A cross is not something pleasant.  The Apostle also warned us in Romans 8 that the creation groans and we groan, waiting for the redemption of our bodies.  

But if we can learn anything from this situation, we can see that the devil cannot act against us without God's permission; since we have God protecting us.  Nothing he devises can harm us to the extent that we will be pushed outside of God's protection.  Once we have Jesus in our lives we are safe.  We must remember that God has already won the battle.  Satan is dangerous, but he is under a short leash.   

Even though he could glory in his visions and revelations, Paul was more concerned about Jesus.  Remember that Paul did not want people to think he was a God.   If on account of healing a cripple ( Act 14:12, 13 ), and shaking off a viper ( Act 28:5 ), the people thought him a god, what would they not have done, if he had disclosed those revelations? Paul wished each of the brethren to estimate him by "what he sees" my present acts and "hears" my teaching to be; not by my boasting of past revelations.  

They who allow themselves to be thought of more highly than is lawful, defraud themselves and rob the honor which is at God's disposal ( Jhn 5:44 12:43 ).  .  So in action, or word, Paul is extorting every believer that despite the great gifts God bestows upon them, to use their gifts in the service of God, so that He is glorified.  Men should not seek glory for themselves. If this is done, not only are they doing a good thing, but they will also be helping themselves, as they will not become prideful.

Verse 7.    There has been much controversy about this thorn in Paul’s side.  Needless to say, it was a source of great discomfort. It is clear that this “thorn” greatly bothered Paul and was somewhat of a hindrance to him.   The people around Paul would almost certainly have been aware of this “thorn” in his side that troubled him, but would not have understood the reasons for it, until Paul’s disclosures in this letter.  

Some have speculated that the ‘thorn’ was epilepsy, malaria, tuberculosis, some kind of eye disease, or a physical deformity or disfigurement that made him like a hunchback.

Some Catholic scholars even think he had some kind of mental or spiritual problem such as doubt, or some sinful temptation that he had difficulty with.  Yet others think that the constant persecution, criticism and opposition was the “thorn in the flesh”.  The fact is we don't know what it was.  

It is likely that the Corinthians would have thought less about Paul because he had a ‘physical’ affliction. It probably was something physical for he called it a thorn ‘in the flesh’.  

It has often been pointed out though that the tense used indicate that this was a struggle that was constantly recurring in his life.  

If  it was physical, the Corinthians would have probably wondered how he could do miracles and heal others but not heal himself.  In any case Greeks did not think that body weakness or physical bodily handicaps was a good sign.  

To understand the level of Paul’s discomfort, then one must look at the meaning of the word translated as ‘thorn’ which Paul used to describe his pain.  This ‘thorn’ was no minor irritation, for the root word for thorn describes a tent stake, not a thumbtack. This was something big and serious.  In the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament, the word skolops (thorn) shows something that frustrates and causes trouble in the lives of those afflicted. It was actually used to describe a sharpened stake used to torture people, and impale them.   

Given his situation and his approach to life, Paul did not boast about himself.  Paul now tells us that he had received so much revelation, traveling, whether bodily or not, into the very presence of God, and told things that no one else knew and things that he was not allowed to speak about, that this made it necessary for God to deliberately bring a difficulty on him that would stop him from becoming conceited. Apparently he was in serious danger of becoming full of himself.  

Let us note that Paul has told us that both the Lord and Satan were involved in giving this ‘thorn’ to him. He did call this ‘thorn’ a messenger of Satan, and so we know that Satan was allowed to work against him, to harass, annoy, and irritate him, to remain embedded in him, so that the pain would not stop.  Satan was the instrument used by God to make sure that Paul was kept humble and never got to the stage where his multiple revelations affected his behavior adversely. God designed it for His own purpose.   

One could just imagine the same situation that occurred with Job, now happening to Paul. The Devil and God in heaven had obviously been speaking to one another.  

God was allowing Satan to put pressure on Paul for his own good.

So we are reminded that God is sovereign. His will is above all and he did what was best for Paul.

Verse 8.    It was a painful matter and Paul, this powerful man of prayer, naturally asked God to get rid of this difficulty.  

Paul knew that God could heal him right away, he trusted God to do just that.  He might have wondered why God was withholding healing from him, but he kept on praying continuously to the Lord, asking God to remove the thorn.  This is of course exactly what Jesus had said to believers in the parable of the ‘Unjust Judge’.  His instructions were to pray without ceasing.  

It is sure that Paul knew the experience of Job.  But in his distress he kept on praying. Three times he asked and the impression is that Paul went into long intense ‘seasons’ of prayer, begging God not to have this problem afflicted him.  Each time God gave the same answer “My grace is sufficient for you”.  

Paul was given extraordinary revelations but he was given something to keep his feet on the ground.  This thorn was a lifelong thing, for his problem or temptations would never end.   

He and us had to learn the lesson, that it is the grace of God that makes human life worth living.  The only way to live is by totally depending on the life and resources that Jesus Christ has provided for us.  

We now learned a few things.

First, God and Satan are often involved together in what happens to us. This is not to suggest that God and Satan are on par or that he is an independent creature who operates without limits.

Second, prayer, though intense and frequent might often lead to God telling us “My grace is sufficient for you”.

Third, we learned that Satan is a tormenter.  His role is to destroy, cause pain and death.  He might pretend to be an angel of light, but he only does that to get into us, to get our trust so that he can do more damage.

Fourth, Satan is limited in his role and God allows him to do only what is necessary for the ultimate good of his children.

Fifth, since God controlled his torment, God will inherently bring great spiritual blessing.  (See Joseph's comment on this matter in Genesis 50: 20.)

Sixth, the most dangerous threat to those who are true believers in Christ is spiritual pride.  The higher our position, the worse it gets.

The connecting idea to this is however that when believers see other believers getting deeper into spiritual pride and do nothing about it, maybe because of friendship or fear, or keeping good relationships, the blood of the prideful person is on the heads of the neglectful saints.  

Let us be very clear about what was happening in the Christian church.  

There are many some call “triumphalists” who teach that a person can claim immediate and complete victory over Satan.  They mock Satan and will tell you that he has no power over them at all.  They rebuke him, bind him, restrict him, and are quick to take him on.  They are always seeking prayer partners to get “prayer cover”, for they seem to think that if they have enough people praying, God will join them in whatever battle they are currently fighting against Satan.  

They want nothing to do with suffering and adversity, for they think that the cross has delivered them from those things.  They teach prosperity, and no affliction or difficulty.  For them life was be comfortable.  If a believer is having difficulty, they think, like Job's friends, that the suffering believer must have done something very wrong, or have little faith.   

They love the idea of power and are constantly telling us about our human potential, and the power that is within us.  Human weakness is anathema to them.  They constantly represent themselves as powerful.

They actually seem to behave as if prayer is a way to manipulate God.  

Note Paul does not have that approach. Paul does not stress health, wealth, and the good life.  Here instead he talks about suffering and shame which he bears for the sake of Christ and for his gospel.  

He still regards Satan as a powerful enemy.  He teaches that Satan is a defeated enemy, and he is headed for a final doom, but he still remains a powerful enemy at present, constantly working to oppose the purposes of God and attack the people of God.  

When God says “No”, Paul joyfully accepts this messenger of Satan as a gracious gift from God.  Paul sees God standing behind Satan, using Satan's foolishness and rebellion to bring about fulfillment of divine purposes.  

So these people do not want to consider whether or not they have a “thorn in the flesh”, something given by God to make them grow spiritually, and clearly demonstrate God's grace, power and his glory.

Verse 9.    God had a response for Paul. The answer was not what Paul was initially hoping for, or expecting. God still had a response for Paul. Note however that God gave Paul immense comfort, reminding him that his divine resources were available to him.  This was a most gracious response.  

Paul knew this and he appreciated it.  He always welcomed and held onto anything that God said.

We often close our ears to God if He responds in a way we were not hoping for, or expecting.  When God tells us something it is our chance to show our maturity in the things of the spirit.  At many difficult times we think that we know better than God, and get upset.  God always knows better than us, He always know what we need, what we should have and how to protect us, even from ourselves.  

So yes, it wasn’t the answer that Paul wanted, but he accepted and even rejoiced in the answer.  

Many of us do get upset when we do not get the answers we are looking for from man or from God.  However, this is the difference, when we are dealing with men, and don’t get the answer we desire, then we might have to consider that they are dealing with us in an ill manner.  We can go to God in that case and plead to a higher and just court.   

When we are dealing with God, and do not get the answer we desire, we know that God is doing what is best for us.  People should be cautioned, when we request something from God, seeking an answer on something else we desire, if God denies our request and we press and still not get it, remember that if we persist, God might grant us want it is we want, but trouble might follow!  Grace is the favor and love of God in action. It means He loves us and is pleased by us.  

Instead of removing the thorn from Paul’s life, God would give His grace to Paul. The grace God gave Paul was sufficient to meet his every need.   

Paul was desperate in his desire to be relieved of this burden. One might say that there are two ways of taking away a burden. It can be done by removing the load, or it can be done by strengthening the shoulder bearing the load. In this case, instead of taking away the thorn, God would strengthen Paul under it, and God would show His strength through Paul’s apparent weakness.  To do this, Paul had to believe that God’s grace was sufficient.  

At times we may feel that God’s grace is sufficient until we really check ourselves and consider the people we really are!  For many of us, especially in today’s democratic, liberal and enlightened society, this is a huge obstacle. We are the people who tend to idolize the “self-made man” and want to rely on ourselves. We can’t receive God’s strength until we know our weakness. We can’t receive the sufficiency of God’s grace until we know our own insufficiency.  

We should just keep in mind, as Paul did and accepted, that God accepted the prayer of faith and even though He didn’t remove the thorn from Paul or perhaps from our lives, He gives us grace sufficient for us and so we have no reason to complain.    

In Paul’s case God’s action shows us the good will of God toward His children, and this is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort us, to support our souls and cheer up our spirits in all afflictions and distresses.  It also shows the good work of God in us.  God again knows our needs and will proportion the remedy to our ills, and strengthen us and glorify himself though our healing. 

As we see from Paul’s response to God’s answer, he is pleased that God’s grace was upon him.  God’s word stayed with him. There was no doubt in his mind that God was still with him, strengthening him, guiding him and protecting him.  With that Paul’s confidently continued with the task that was given to him, knowing that no one can challenge him in this situation by saying evil is in his life, that is why God did not remove this ailment from him.  Paul got his answer from the Lord, and knew that it was under God’s control and any strength he might need to work though the pain would be given by God.  

It is interesting to note that God did not allow Paul to say what he saw in heaven, but he allowed Paul to tell us about the things heard from God as to how to handle difficulties. This tells us that God is more interested in teaching us how to deal with difficulties and how to overcome by depending on Him, than how to tell us details about heaven and the rewards we will have. We are told that ‘overcomers’ will get great rewards. That should be sufficient for us. We must concentrate on learning how to lean to God.  

Remember that word “sufficiency”. God has provided for every single need. He is the ‘just in time’ provider.  

The next word we should focus on is “power”. God knows that we are weak, we have no power. When we try to face the difficulties of life, we are facing them in our destructive kind of weakness.  Even if God helps us, once our decision-making powers are involved we will fail.  

The only way we will not fail is if we depend on God's power, eliminating our power.  The more we reduce dependence on ourselves and the more we depend on God, the stronger we are.  When we are confident about ourselves, consider that we are strong, we are in fact at our weakest.  When we know that we are weak, that is when we are strong.  

Paul wants to be weak, for then he is reminded of who he really is, and he is reminded that he must rely only on Christ and his resources.  Learning to be weak is a lifelong process.  It means learning to depend more and more on Christ.  It means being in such a position that the power and the glory of God will shine brightly and show people who God is.  That should really be our aim.  

So it is good when we feel perplexed and weak, for then we come before God and plead with him for strength to take us through another day.  It is great when we have to go to God for grace to help us to stand up.  But that is not what our flesh tells us.  

Remember then, when we are weak then we are strong.  We will get through that battle, and it will prepare us for the great battle that will come next time. 

Verse 10.   Paul through this trial became even stronger in terms of his willingness and zeal to do God’s will.  He became totally dependent on God for strength to deal with his many trials.  It seems the more maturity we get as Christians, the more we should be looking to rely on God in everything we do.  It seems that the closer we move to God, the more likely situations come up that might make us realize that we are really weak.  God is the one with the strength to overcome all.   He will share that strength with us.   

The illusion of strength and independence is a dangerous illusion, and leaves Christians in a weakened state.  This also hinders the work of God, when we think that we are strong.   

In the end, Paul does not resign himself to his fate; he welcomes it. He rejoiced that God has forced him to rely on the grace and strength of God.   

When Paul says difficulties does not faze him this is not saying that he enjoys being hurt, rejected and beaten down.  It means that difficulties remind him of the greatness of the power of God, and that the glory of God will be displayed.  

Paul says that he's content in trouble, weaknesses, insults, difficulties, persecutions and distress, as long as they are coming for Christ sake.  He has learned to be content.  He is not prepared to suffer as a fool, or as a sinner, but he is prepared to suffer for Christ's sake. 

Paul was at such a level of spiritual strength and maturity, that God had to deliberately introduce a thorn in the flesh. Most of us provide our own thorns, and half an honest look will show us enough weakness to make us constantly and totally rely on the grace and strength of Jesus. But even if we were to grow to the spiritual strength and maturity of a Paul, God would still require us to rely on Him further.  After all, there would still be more work to be done, and perhaps we could strive to the level that Enoch or Elijah attained.  Paul was only strong because he knew his weaknesses, and looked outside of himself for the strength of God’s grace. If we are going to live lives of such strength, we also must understand and admit our weaknesses, and look to God alone for the favor, approval and work of grace that will strengthen us for any task.   After all this we can now understand why Paul would say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philip. 4:13).

CONCLUSION

Spiritual weakness can be seen as an asset rather than a liability.  We must learn to depend upon God not on ourselves for solving the difficulties of life.  Those who are mature do not worry about their weaknesses, for this presents an opportunity to God to show his power and to bring fragrance to the world.  

We should do the work of God without fear, knowing that we would always receive his grace to make up for whatever we lack.  

So brethren what is our thorn in the flesh?  If we do not have one, it means that we have not grown to the kind of strength that we should have. When we do grow and mature spiritually to any great extent, we will need a thorn in the flesh so that God's power would be perfected in us.  

So brethren, let us  not take this to mean that we should sin capriciously. Let us not discount the grace of God.  Let us not sin abundantly, so that grace may abound.  If we do, our thorn might be the kind of thorn that will remind us not to sin, and that will not be pleasant.  

Let us follow the example of Paul, and learn what God really wants from us.