Why, one wonders, would Paul be content in persecutions, in weakness, or, for example, when he is insulted? And what do the words "when I am weak, then I am strong" mean? At first glance such a...
Why, one wonders, would Paul be content in persecutions, in weakness, or, for example, when he is insulted? And what do the words "when I am weak, then I am strong" mean? At first glance such a position can seem strange. Indeed, only masochists rejoice in suffering; normal people are not like that. Paul, however, was clearly no masochist. What, then, could make him glad?
It should be noted, however, that the matter is not, strictly speaking, joy; the corresponding Greek word denotes rather a calm and balanced state of spirit, which the apostle evidently preserves in spite of the circumstances that have arisen, circumstances that do not at all dispose one to calmness of spirit. But why does such calmness of spirit become a sign of strength? And why does only weakness make Paul strong?
One could say, of course, that the strength of a person's conviction in what he confesses and preaches is generally tested precisely in times of persecution. But the matter is still not only this. The matter is the very nature of the Kingdom. And first of all in the fact that the Kingdom, according to the Savior's word, is "not of this world." And if so, if it lives by laws fundamentally different from the laws of the untransfigured world, then the power of the Kingdom is clearly not determined by what happens to a person in this world. Such independence in itself is the best witness that a person truly belongs to the Kingdom and lives its life, a life that the evil of the world is unable to take away from him because it has nothing in common with it.
But there is another side to this situation as well. It is precisely the feeling of the presence of strength within oneself at moments of complete weakness, that is, when one knows for certain that one has no strength at that moment and cannot have any because there is nowhere for it to come from, that is the best proof that this strength is truly from God. At other moments God's strength can sometimes be confused with the powers of this world, with the natural energy inherent in every healthy person. But when there is no natural energy at all, one can be sure that any strength one feels within oneself is from God. And that means the work for which it is given is God's work.
12
12:1 It is not expedient - Unless on so pressing occasion.Visions are seen; revelations, heard.
12:2 I knew a man in Christ - That is, a Christian. It is plain from Co2 12:6-7, that he means himself, though in modesty he speaks as of a third person. Whether in the body or out of the body I know not - It is equally possible with God to present distant things to the imagination in the body, as if the soul were absent from it, and present with them; or to transport both soul and body for what time he pleases to heaven; or to transport the soul only thither for a season, and in the mean time to preserve the body fit for its re - entrance.But since the apostle himself did not know whether his soul was in the body, or whether one or both were actually in heaven, it would be vain curiosity for us to attempt determining it. The third heaven - Where God is; far above the aerial and the starry heaven. Some suppose it was here the apostle was let into the mystery of the future state of the church; and received his orders to turn from the Jews and go to the gentiles.
12:3 Yea, I knew such a man - That at another time.
12:4 He was caught up into paradise - The seat of happy spirits in their separate state, between death and the resurrection.Things which it is not possible for man to utter - Human language being incapable of expressing them. Here he anticipated the joyous rest of the righteous that die in the Lord. But this rapture did not precede, but follow after, his being caught up to the third heaven: a strong intimation that he must first discharge his mission, and then enter into glory. And beyond all doubt, such a foretaste of it served to strengthen him in all his after trials, when he could call to mind the very joy that was prepared for him.
12:5 Of such an one I will - I might, glory; but I will not glory of myself - As considered in myself.
12:6 For if I should resolve to glory - Referring to, I might glory of such a glorious revelation. I should not be a fool - That is, it could not justly be accounted folly to relate thenaked truth. But I forbear - I speak sparingly of these things, for fear any one should think too highly of me - O where is this fear now to be found? Who is afraid of this?
12:7 There was given me - By the wise and gracious providence of God. A thorn in the flesh - A visitation more painful than any thorn sticking in the flesh. A messenger or angel of Satan to buffet me - Perhaps both visibly and invisibly; and the word in the original expresses the present, as well as the past, time.All kinds of affliction had befallen the apostle. Yet none of those did he deprecate. But here he speaks of one, as above all the rest, one that macerated him with weakness, and by the pain and ignominy of it prevented his being lifted up mere, or, at least, not less, than the most vehement head ache could have done; which many of the ancients say he laboured under. St.Paul seems to have had a fresh fear of these buffetings every moment, when he so frequently represses himself in his boasting, though it was extorted from him by the utmost necessity.
12:8 Concerning this - He had now forgot his being lifted up.I besought the Lord thrice - As our Lord besought his Father.
12:9 But he said to me - ln answer to my third request. My grace is sufficient for thee - How tender a repulse! We see there may be grace where there is the quickest sense of pain. My strength is more illustriously displayed by the weakness of the instrument. Therefore I will glory in my weaknesses rather than my revelations, that the strength of Christ may rest upon me - The Greek word properly means, may cover me all over like a tent. We ought most willingly to accept whatever tends to this end, however contrary to flesh and blood.
12:10 Weaknesses - Whether proceeding from Satan or men. For when I am weak - Deeply conscious of my weakness, then does the strength of Christ rest upon me.