After the apostle Paul entreated the Lord three times to heal him and remove the thorn from his side, the Lord told him something that might seem strange.

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 (emphasis added).

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

What does it mean that God’s power is perfected in weakness, and why is it perfected by our weakness?

To answer these two questions, we must first ask another question, “What does it mean to be weak?”

Merriam-Webster gives us this definition of “weak“:

  1. as in weakened
    lacking bodily strength

When I consider what it means to be weak, I need not look any further than some of the synonyms, and similar words for weak; wimpy, soft, impaired, and impotent are all similar words and conjure up what we might think of when we think of what it means to be weak. However, when we consider what it means to be strong, the opposite of weakness, we see words like “powerful, mighty,” and “sturdy.”

Given a choice between weak or strong, who would want to be wimpy and impotent when they can be powerful and mighty? Let’s consider God and some words we would choose to describe him.

God is all-powerful (omnipotent).

“Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”

Jeremiah 32:17 (NIV)

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.

Genesis 17:1 (NIV)

God is also omnipresent and omniscient, but let’s focus on his omnipotence since it is the opposite of weakness. If God is all-powerful, then 2 Corinthians 12:9 isn’t telling us that God’s power is greater when we are weak or lesser when we are strong. God’s power isn’t dependent on us. Therefore, the power of God that is greater or lesser is the power of God in us.

Let’s return to being weak or strong and consider the words that describe both. Let’s also consider the dispositions associated with being weak or strong. When someone is physically weak, they might lack things like self-confidence. Those who are physically strong are probably self-confident. While self-confidence can exist in the weak and lacking in the strong, for our purpose, the generalization fits.

Self-confidence is what? Well, it’s confidence in the self. It’s pride. What does the Bible say about pride? Before I was saved, I was very confident in myself. I grew up being told there was nothing I couldn’t do, and I believed it. Thus, failure was devastating when I had done everything I could to succeed.

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

James 4:6 (NIV)

One aspect of pride is the delusion that you know everything, and those things you don’t know aren’t worth knowing because they are beneath you. If you wanted to know about them, it wouldn’t take much for you to know them. The prideful person is in control. This is one of the many lies that pride tells us.

God is omniscient. He knows everything. In fact, God already knows everything we know, and we get our knowledge from him.

All wisdom comes from the LORD, and so do common sense and understanding.

Proverbs 2:6 (CEV)

When a prideful person operates under the guise of knowing everything, they oppose God, while those who serve in humility are shown favor. This is what James 4:6 tells us. We also see this manifest in Matthew 13:58 when Jesus returned to his hometown.

And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Matthew 13:58 (NIV)

The people in Jesus’ hometown thought they knew who he was.

“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?”

Matthew 13:55-56 (NIV)

Therefore, because of their pride, they lacked the faith to believe that Jesus could do miracles, so few were done.

Pride tells us we can do anything and know everything, while humility tells us we can’t do everything and don’t know everything. As I have said. I know this because I have experienced it. I used to think that I knew so much, and now I realize I know very little, and often I learn that the little I think I know, I don’t know as well as I thought I did. This is why I endeavor to keep the things I think I know to a minimum. For example, The things of God according to his word.

Let’s return to our two questions.

What does it mean that God’s power is perfected in weakness, and why is it perfected by our weakness?

Let’s juxtapose these questions with the verse that inspired them, and a verse we’ve covered that responds to them.

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 (emphasis added).

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” (emphasis added)

James 4:6 (NIV)

God’s power is perfected when we are humble and perfected by our weakness because our faith isn’t impeded by our pride.

The world looks upon the strong in awe and the weak with disdain. Still, those who are strong in the Lord get their strength from the Lord. Not from their own power or might but by the grace of God. This is how Christians can be weak in the eyes of the world and mighty by the power of the Lord.

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.