The paradox of weakness (when I am weak then am I strong)

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There are 2 paradoxes of weakness: God’s strength in our weakness and God strengthens our weakness. The more we consider ourselves to be weak, the more we lean on Jesus Christ for our strength. And, the more we consider ourselves to be weak, the more we let him change us to be stronger. But, when we think we are strong enough by ourselves that we don’t need Jesus Christ — there is no paradox of self-deceived strength — that is the time we’re headed for a fall, crusin’ for a brusin’, going to crash and burn!

The paradox of weakness

For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.  (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities
The thoughts of the Apostle go back to the sufferings of which he had spoken fully in 2 Corinthians 11 and elsewhere. One new word is added, “reproaches” (better, insults), which elsewhere in the New Testament meets us only in Acts 27:10; Acts 27:21, in the sense of material damage. Here the reference is probably to the taunts and sneers to which we have traced allusions in 2Corinthians 1:17; 2Corinthians 3:1; 2Corinthians 7:8; 2Corinthians 8:2; 2Corinthians 10:10; 2Corinthians 11:6; 2Corinthians 11:8; 2Corinthians 11:16. He was able to bear even these with satisfaction when he felt that he was bearing them for the sake of Christ. He had learnt to add another paradox to those of 2Corinthians 6:9-10, and to feel that the greatest weakness was not only compatible with the highest strength, but might be the very condition of its energy. –Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

for when I am weak, then am I strong
when he was attended with all the above mentioned infirmities, when laden with reproaches, surrounded with necessities, followed with persecutions, and brought into the utmost straits and difficulties, and was most sensible of his weakness in himself to bear and go through all these things; then was he upheld by the divine arm, and strengthened by the power of Christ; so that he was not only able to sustain the conflict, but became more than a conqueror, and even to triumph in the midst of these adversities; he could and did readily take the advice in Joel 3:10, and express himself in the same language there directed to, and to which he seems to refer, “let the weak say I am strong”; for he that is weak in himself, and sees himself to be so, is strong in Christ, and has a comfortable experience of renewed strength from him, as his day is. The Jews have a saying (h) somewhat like this, “the righteous even , “when they are weak strengthen themselves”; as it is said, Genesis 48:2, and the wicked, though in their strength, fall, according to Esther 7:8.” –Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. (2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT)

God’s strength in our weakness

God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. It’s all about God. He doesn’t need our strength to do his will. But, when we trust him and allow him to lead in our lives, his strength will flow through us.

God strengthens our weakness

When we admit our weakness to God, he has promised to help us grow. He does this privately and individually with a program customized for our exact needs.

Treasure hunt for God’s blessings

Because of these paradoxes of weakness, we are on a treasure hunt for God’s blessing in our lives. Sometimes we have to go through the fire, but we are confident God will deliver us.

We know that  all things work together for the good  of those who love God-those whom he has called according to his plan. (Romans 8:28 GWT)

Blessed are those who endure when they are tested. When they pass the test,  they will receive the crown of life that God has promised  to those who love him. (James 1:12 GWT)

for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me; and  showing mercy unto the thousandth generation of them that love Me and keep My commandments.  (Exodus 20:5b-6 JPS)

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