07 - Strength Made Perfect in Weakness

Chapter 7 Strength Made Perfect in Weakness

“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Now we turn our attention to the outcome of Paul’s weakness. God’s strength was perfected. Paul used the basic Greek words (astheneo) and (astheneia) four times in this verse alone. We also see that Paul made a dramatic conclusion based directly on what Jesus said to him. The three important words: strength, perfect and infirmities (also translated once as weak) are defined from the Greek to mean:

1) Strength is: “dunamis” meaning “miraculous power, might, force & ability”. 2) Perfect is: “teleioo”, meaning “to complete, accomplish, finish and fulfill” 3) Weak & infirmity: “astheneia”, meaning; “feebleness (of body or mind) a malady; moral frailty: - disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness.”

Using or Misusing Definitions

One can see that the variety of definitions give translators some choices. The difficulty is making the best decision of properly relating what the author meant. Using these diverse definitions let me cite a couple of ways the text could be interpreted by someone who does not believe in miracles.

·Gods ability is finished; through moral frailty ·Gods power is complete in sickness and disease Can you see my point of concern? Different translations can imply a totally different message. They can articulate the translation of verses in ways which convey a very different message. There are many verses in the Bible where this has happened. For instance in Psalms 116:15 we have a beautiful verse that says; “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints”. The Hebrew word for precious has several other definitions that convey the opposite meaning including: costly and valuable. Depending on the translator, two meanings are conveyed. One which implies that the death of God saints is a good thing in Gods eyes. The other implies that our death it a costly thing in Gods eyes.

If translators started with the premise that Paul’s weakness was a disease, they add that to their translation. On the other hand, translations that did not start with that premise do not add the concept to the translation. This is why we should research the background of translations.

God’s Strength

Strength is the Greek word “Dunamis” that, as noted, can be translated in variety of ways including: “able, mighty, possible, power, strong”. Yet, all these definitions are in relationship to the miraculous. Paul concluded; “when I am weak [feeble in mind or body] then I am strong.” [“dunamis”- powerful or capable]. Some commentators pay little to no attention to the conclusion which Paul assessed to accepting his weakness. The word implies Paul received a miraculous endowment. Paul did not say; “I am weak but God is strong”. Paul said; “I am weak”, then he concluded, “I am strong”.

There should be no reduction to Paul’s statement. Some teachers have tried to force the idea that Paul was referring to merely becoming content. Yes, it is God’s power and yes, it is God’s strength. However, when manifest in Paul, it brought to the forefront miraculous power. When the POWER of CHRIST manifests it does so in more than endurance, contentment and patience. (Although all of those things are at work). It joined Paul to the miraculous power of God, replenishing his zeal, reinforced his vision and reassured him that God was with him so that he could say “who can be against me”. It enabled Paul to overcome the obstacles, and “run through a troop and leap over a wall”. (Psalms 18:29) For you to have a better understanding of Paul’s meaning here are two verses where Jesus used the same word. I have highlighted the translated word. Try to replace that meaning with the word contentment.

“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26) “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” (Mark 9:23) Gods Strength Made Perfect

“Teleioo” is the Greek word translated perfect means “to complete, accomplish, consummate”. Thayer’s Greek dictionary gives a more exhaustive definition. Here are a few that commentators should consider more carefully: “to carry through completely, to bring to an end; to add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full, to bring to the goal proposed, to bring to a close or fulfillment”.

Paul did not imply that God made him perfect, as in the sense of becoming sinless, faultless, or all knowing or all wise. That is not what the work “teleioo” means at all. Paul meant that each and every time he came to the end of himself, be it exhausted physically, or at his wits end mentally and emotionally, then God would supply whatever power necessary to carry Paul through to the end of his mission. There would always be a battle. Trials and tribulations will follow us. We must go through them. (1 Thessalonians 3:4)

Sovereign Power

Some presume that God’s power goes out “only as He sovereignly decides?” This leaves the impression that God would not honor certain promises. It also leaves the impression that God deals with us erratically. In the matter of sovereignty, they somehow overlook that what God has transcribed in His word is “a more sure word” (2 Peter 1:19). In other words, the details of scripture are sovereignly inspired and God sovereignly enforces what He inspired. Every precept and principle, every law and judgment, every promise and warning, in essence every “jot and title” of His word He shall faithfully fulfill. When God acts, it might appear from ones perspective that He acted arbitrarily. On the most part, the impaired vision is the result of our “lack of knowledge” of what God said. (Hosea 4:6) In truth, God does exactly as He announced He would do, taking into consideration the promises, the circumstances of every individual and the secrets of men’s heart. Therefore, we should “give more earnest heed” to what God said so we can learn His ways. Unless we pay close attention to the details of scripture, we may overlook some critical things. They might slip our attention (Hebrews 2:1) to our loss.

God did not deal with Paul haphazardly in giving him visions and revelations. Paul was proved. He was prepared by God. Each new day God brought Paul to new heights. Each new height brought new obstacles. Moreover, at each new obstacle God supplied strength when Paul weakened. In John 5:5-7 we have a story that demonstrates the weakness in thinking God only acts “when He sovereignly decides”. There was a sick man who waited most of his life to be the first to enter into water when it stirred every season. Jesus said, “all things are possible to them who believe.” Those that wait for something to happen to determine God’s will have missed a part of God’s will. Like Thomas, some not comprehending His word, will only believe if it happens.

God’s power toward us is more than humble acceptance and contentment. Those who equate God’s strength to nothing more than “being content” restrain God’s power. I do not mean to lessen the virtues of contentment. On the contrary, I think the issue of Paul’s thorn points to that but much more. Paul penned these words:

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to ABOUND: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I CAN DO ALL things THROUGH Christ which strengthens me.” (Php 4:11-13)

God did not instruct Paul to accept everything that happened to him, as if it was Gods will. The instruction from the Lord was learn how to be full and to abound, how to become hungry and needy again. Then Paul learned! He said: “I CAN DO” all those things because he was replenished by the empowerment of Christ.