Amazing Grace

2 Corinthians 12 continued.

Before I try to verbalize the Greek understanding of the terms weak and weakness.  I want to direct you to the place, in the book of Acts, where it describes where Paul was given this weakness that plagued him for so long. Please refer to Acts chapter 9.

Now on to discovering the puzzle of Paul’s words: for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

In the English language we define weakness as a quality or feature regarded as a disadvantage or fault — or possibly self-indulgent liking.

Something that we often strive to over come

In other words, something seen as an unfavorable quality or condition.  

In the Greek, and Hebrew, we find quite a different understanding.  It can be understood as a mark of a human in contrast to God’s strength.  Figuratively speaking, weakness can also have the form of inner-poverty or incapacity.(p83-84)

There is also the issue of sickness, or some kind of physical defect, or emotional challenges. That was, and is, seen as a weakness or disadvantage.  Which is referred to in the Greek and Hebrew understanding.

However,  what I found quite intriguing is the seemingly opposite definition to this all to common english perspective (of the term weak or weakness).

It comes with the root Greek word sterizo. Which is a verb meaning “to support, to strengthen, to be grounded in, to fix the asteritktos."   Asteritktos, is the noun, which means “unsupported,” “weak,” “but also agile,” “lively,” “tossing.” “It presupposes an assault the threatens faith or zeal.”

                                                                          (p1085)

The sterizo,  the strength that supports, is of God. 

It is God’s strength that supports us in our weakness.

That is basically what Paul is describing in his letter to the Corinthians, when he writes:  for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

There is then this possibility stated in scripture, and other wise,  that when we own our inability — our weakness.  Own it as difficult, or challenging.  We are then given a clearer perception as to our need for God to work within us; in order to be capable of living in proper and acceptable way before Him.

Or, that God can work, in our weakness, to better share God's love.  As he did in Paul.

With that realization we can begin to live with the ease of knowing, having faith in, and trusting in, our acceptability in God’s heart.

That is the “Good News” that Jesus came to bring to this messy earth.

The news that we are loved by God regardless of our imperfections, regardless of our weaknesses. 

It is rightly called “Amazing Grace.”

It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. ²I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. ³And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— ⁴was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. ⁵On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. ⁶But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, ⁷even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given to me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. ⁸Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, ⁹but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. ¹⁰Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.(2 Cor. 12)