When I am weak, then I am strong

Study on II Corinthians 12 and 13

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Corinth

Recap

• Last of 4 letters he writes to the church in Corinth

• Written preceding his 3rd visit to Corinth• Intensely personal letter

Chapters 1-2 Chapters 2-7 Chapters 8-9 Chapters 10-12 Chapters 13

Defends his actions

Defends his ministry

Defends the collection

Defends his apostleship

Final exhortation

Chapters 12-13

• Begins a defense of himself at chapter 10 and continues into 12

• Anguished cry for acknowledgement against slander by false teachers

• Describes his zeal and love for the Gospel and the church

• Bares his heart

Chapter 12

• Hurt that he’s having to defend himself instead of being commended – vs. 11: “… you drove me to it …”

• Apologizes sarcastically for not being a burden– vs. 13: “… forgive me for not being a burden …”

• “Boasts” that he was taken to the 3rd heaven, paradise– vs. 1-4

• Confesses that God has given him a weakness/sickness to keep him humble– vs. 7-10

Chapters 12-13

• Signals his 3rd visit and warns that he does not want to find sin– 12:20-13:3

• Exhorts them to stay true to God’s work in them– vs. 5-9

• Pronounces benediction

1. Examine ourselves

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? - 2 Cor 13: 5

Examine: pi-rad-zo – to test objectively, endeavor to know the character of something by testing

• In the faith

– prayerful introspection, – meditation on God and I (be dog not cat)– where am I in “the faith”?

When we spend time with God

• We get a clear view of where we are in God

• We understand our strengths and weaknesses

• Spending time with God reveals God’s grace for our weakness

• Spending time with God produces humility not humiliation—strength not weakness

2. When I am weak, then I am strong

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Cor 12:9-10

- “delight” = content, take in stride

• Boasting about weaknesses

– not an excuse to continue in sin or attract sympathy

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning, so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? - Rom 6: 1-2

• Can’t help it? Get help for it!

• Just how you are? Become who God wants you to be!

• Boasting about weaknesses

– to admit that we need God’s grace and each other to grow

God who began the good work in you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished. – Phil 1:6 (LB)

“helping you grow” – epiteleo – make perfect, complete

Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed. – James 5: 16a (LB)

3. We are here to strengthen each other

… everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. – 2 Cor 12: 19

… the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down – 2 Cor 13: 10

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus … – Rom 8: 1a

4. Aim for Perfection

… our prayer is for your perfection. – 2 Cor 13: 9

… Aim for perfection … 2 Cor 13: 11

Perfection – katartizo – thorough completion

To be like Jesus!

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son – Rom 8:29 (NLT)

Final exhortations

• Spend time with God – get accountable!

• Be content but also confident in weaknesses

• Strengthen one another – encourage somebody today!

• Aim to be like Jesus!