FAQ ID # 4069 - What does Paul mean when he says God's strength is made perfect in our weakness?

FAQ ID # 4069

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What does Paul mean when he says God's strength is made perfect in our weakness?

Answer / Solution

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
"And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."

The present tense of the verb translated "is sufficient" reveals the constant availability of divine grace. God would not remove the thorn (vs. 7), as Paul had requested, but would continually supply him with grace to endure it.

1 Corinthians 15:10
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me."

Colossians 1:29
"For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me."

The weaker the human instrument, the more clearly God's grace shines forth. Paul took no pleasure in the pain itself, but rejoiced in the power of Christ that it revealed through him.

(John McArthur Study Bible by John McArthur, pg. 1783, Word Publishing 1997)

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