2 Corinthians 12:10-21: a reflection

10Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong. 11I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for I am in no way inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing. 12Truly the signs of an apostle were worked among you in all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty works. 13For what is there in which you were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, unless it is that I myself was not a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong! 14Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less? 16Even so, I myself didn’t burden you. But you might say that being crafty, I caught you with deception. 17Did I take advantage of you by anyone of those whom I have sent to you? 18I exhorted Titus, and I sent the brother with him. Did Titus take any advantage of you? Didn’t we walk in the same spirit? Didn’t we walk in the same steps? 19Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying. 20For I am afraid that perhaps when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire, that perhaps there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, or riots, 21that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness, sexual immorality, and lustfulness which they committed.

Paul says something that turns the world's thinking upside down: I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, and distresses for Christ's sake, for when I am weak, then I am strong. He has learned that his weakness is not an obstacle to God's power but the very place where it shows most clearly. Rather than resenting his limitations, he welcomes them, because they make room for the strength of Christ to rest on him. Weakness, embraced, becomes the doorway to a strength not his own.

And his love for the Corinthians is costly and self-giving. I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls, he tells them, even adding, if I love you more, am I to be loved less? He is not after their possessions but after them; he pours himself out for their good like a parent for a child, whether or not they appreciate it. Yet his love also grieves. He fears he will come and find quarreling and unrepented sin among them, and it would break his heart, the true sorrow of a shepherd who loves his people.

Two things to carry. First, do not despise your weaknesses; they are where Christ's strength is made perfect. When you are weak, you are, in God's economy, positioned to be strong in a way self-sufficiency never allows. Second, learn Paul's costly love, willing to spend and be spent for others' good, even when it is not returned. Ask God to make you glad to be poured out for others, and to give you Christ's strength precisely where you feel most weak.

Lord, teach me Paul's paradox, to welcome my weakness as the place where your strength rests on me, so that when I am weak, then I am strong. And give me his self-giving love, glad to spend and be spent for others' good even when it is not returned. Make your power perfect in my weakness, and let my life be poured out for the good of those you have given me. Amen.