Contests – 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

A text – 2 Corinthians 12:2-10

12:2 I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven–whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows.
12:3 And I know that such a person–whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows–
12:4 was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat.
12:5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses.
12:6 But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me,
12:7 even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated.
12:8 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me,
12:9 but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
12:10 Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

A reflection:

This passage comes from Paul’s letter to the believers in Corinth. There were other apostles at work in Corinth, preying upon those believers and boasting of out-of-body-spiritual quests and superior spiritual gifts. Those “super apostles,” Paul sarcastically names them, have tried to convince the Corinthians to follow them instead of Paul, claiming Paul is a weaker speaker and leader.

Instead of escalating the competition, Paul declares that there is a reason he has physical weaknesses. God’s power can shine when housed in a cracked vessel, our previous passage claims. God says to Paul in Verse 27: My grace is sufficient for you; for power is made perfect (actually made complete or made mature are better translations) in weakness. In other words, the perfect human may be so dazzling that you might not notice God at work, but the more frail human relies on God, and we can see God’s power revealed through the weakness.

Think about that. If you want to show power and strength from God, don’t show up like Goliath. Show up like David with a slingshot and a couple of stones. If you want to be exalted, be willing to be the slaves of one another. If you want to know love, you must first be willing to love another. In the important contests, we don’t win by dominating. We win by serving. If you are frustrated by the power contests you see around you, remember that the endgame in this world created by God is love, and we are all beloved children of God. Those who contend that we are not all God’s children do not know the truth.

Peace be to your house.

A prayer:

Lord God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for the letters of Paul, who, although he had a powerful ego, could let go of his own reputation in order to serve the believers and so serve God. Help us to be more like Paul in this way, and serve others even at the cost of our ego.  Amen.