Paul boasted in weakness to magnify the grace and power of Christ. His goal was not to highlight his struggles but to show that true strength comes from God, not human ability. In a culture that prized power, status, and eloquence, Paul flipped the values upside down to emphasize that God’s strength is made perfect in human frailty.
In 2 Corinthians, he writes:
“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
(2 Corinthians 12:9)
Paul had pleaded with the Lord three times to remove a “thorn in the flesh.” Instead of removing it, God used it to teach Paul dependence and humility. Paul accepted this and rejoiced in his limitations because they revealed the sufficiency of Christ.
He continues:
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
(2 Corinthians 12:10)
This was not false humility. Paul truly understood that his accomplishments, revelations, and apostolic authority meant nothing apart from God’s grace. He rejected self-exaltation so that Christ would be exalted.
Earlier in the same letter, Paul said:
“We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.”
(2 Corinthians 4:7)
By boasting in weakness, Paul exposed the emptiness of human pride and demons/”>demonstrated that the Christian life is one of surrender and trust.
This teaching also guarded the church against idolizing personality or charisma. Power, success, and comfort are not the marks of God’s approval. Weakness submitted to God is.
