Paul knew what it meant to serve God from a place of weakness. Some false teachers were questioning whether he was a real apostle because, in their eyes, true spirituality had to look impressive. They valued visions, power, and dramatic experiences. So Paul answered them in a way he did not enjoy. He spoke about the visions and revelations God had given him (2 Corinthians 12:1–4; see Acts 9:1–9; 16:6–10). But even while doing so, he made it clear that boasting about such things felt wrong to him (2 Corinthians 12:1, 6).
Paul would rather speak about his weakness (2 Corinthians 12:5). He mentioned “a thorn in my flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7), a phrase that points to something painful and persistent. The word thorn could describe anything sharp, like a stake, a splinter, or the pointed end of a fishhook. Some believe Paul may have had trouble with his eyes (Galatians 4:14–15; 6:11), possibly connected to his blindness on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:9). Others think it may have been another kind of physical illness, such as severe headaches or seizures. Scripture does not tell us exactly what it was.
What Scripture does tell us is why God allowed it. Paul said the thorn was given to keep him from becoming proud because of the great revelations he had received (2 Corinthians 12:7). Even a faithful servant of God can be tempted to rely on spiritual experiences, gifts, knowledge, or success. God loved Paul too much to let pride quietly take root in him.
Paul pleaded with the Lord three times for the thorn to be removed (2 Corinthians 12:8). This was not a careless prayer. It was the cry of a man who loved God, served God, and trusted God. Yet God’s answer was not the answer Paul wanted. The Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
That one verse corrects many wrong ideas about faith. Some teach that if a person has enough faith, they will always be healthy, wealthy, comfortable, and free from hardship. But that is not the message of Scripture. Paul had great faith, yet he suffered. Jesus told His followers that the world would hate them (John 15:19). He also said, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Paul described life in these earthly bodies as one marked by groaning and longing for what is eternal (2 Corinthians 5:2–6). Godliness is not a shortcut to an easy life, and anyone who presents it that way is not teaching the full counsel of God (1 Timothy 6:3–5).
The word translated “sufficient” in 2 Corinthians 12:9 carries the idea of enoughness, strength, endurance, and satisfaction. God was not telling Paul, “Just cope with it.” He was saying, “My grace will carry you. My grace will hold you. My grace will give you what you need to remain faithful.”
God also said His power is made perfect in weakness. The word behind “made perfect” speaks of something being completed or accomplished. It is related to the word Jesus used when He cried from the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30). God’s power is not made perfect because our weakness improves it. His power is already perfect. But in our weakness, His power becomes clearly seen. When there is no room left for self-confidence, human pride, or polished performance, people can see that the strength comes from Christ.
This connects deeply with sharing our faith. Becky Pippert felt weak and unsure when she wanted to speak to Heather about Jesus. She did not force the moment or pretend to be bold. She prayed. She depended on God. And in an ordinary place, during an ordinary appointment, God opened a door.
That is often how grace works. We may feel nervous, unprepared, or inadequate. We may not know how to begin. But weakness is not the end of usefulness. In God’s hands, weakness can become the very place where His power rests on us.
Paul eventually stopped resenting the weakness and began to see it differently. He wrote, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). He was not celebrating pain for its own sake. He was rejoicing because his weakness made room for Christ’s strength.
God’s main goal for His children is not a life without pressure, pain, or need. His desire is that we trust Him. Sometimes He removes the burden. Sometimes He gives grace to carry it. And sometimes, through the very thing we wish He would take away, He teaches us to depend on Him more deeply.
When we ask God for help, He may not always answer the way we expect. But He will always give enough grace for what He has called us to do. Even in weakness, we can love well. We can speak with courage. We can share Christ naturally. And we can trust that the same God who opened a door for Paul, and a door for Becky, can open one for us too.
By: Nathan Reynolds