Perhaps, even though Paul had demonstrated strength and courage in the midst of the Jews hostile rejection of the Gospel, he needed to be encouraged. And that's nothing new; even the apostle Paul . This week, we have looked at how God gives you strengths to cultivate your confidence, gives you weakness to develop your dependence, and gives you limitations to fortify your faith. Had a heart for bringing lost people to Christ (21). Share a biblical truth or promise that speaks to their present situation. So-called "super-apostles" had found their way to Corinth. All things are possible with God, and what a blessing the Choleric can be (living in their strengths and not their weaknesses) for the . What makes this theme of the apostle's weakness so arresting and intriguing is that Paul is not in the least apologising for it or mentioning it only for the sake of honesty. Ian Hamilton rightly affirms, For when I am weak, then I am strong. That is good to know in the midst of our own weaknesses, fears, and tremblings. Thursday, January 7, 2021. . Paul Finds God's Strength in Suffering. 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. Yesterday, we began looking at pastor Ichabod Spencer's approach to evangelism in the 19th century. The Apostle Paul, sometimes called Saint Paul or Saul of Tarsus, lived from about 5 BCE / 5 CE to about 67 CE. The human body is weak. The Apostle Paul was in my opinion a Choleric. . 2 Corinthians 4:7-18. . Taught everyone…both Jews and Gentiles (21). Royal L. Pakhuongte. Explanation and Commentary of 2 Corinthians 12: 9 Paul's claim is that God had given him a "thorn in his flesh" (2 Cor 12:7) in order to prevent him from becoming conceited because of his powerful experiences and revelations from God. "He is crucified in weakness but lives by the power of God." (IICor.13:4) 4. 2 Cor. He listened to the internal promptings of the Holy Spirit (23). This book has numerous strengths that make it meaningful and admirable. In that text, his Semitic name "Saul" is replaced by "Paul . God will not have us stand on our own strength. Paul was given a "thorn in the flesh," he says, to keep him from being conceited (2 Corinthians 12:7). by admin. From this it would appear that Alexander had gotten Paul into some serious trouble that left Paul without allies. The Apostle Paul, sometimes called Saint Paul or Saul of Tarsus, lived from about 5 BCE / 5 CE to about 67 CE. In that text, his Semitic name "Saul" is replaced by "Paul . 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. He goes on to say in verse 9 of chapter 12 that God told him, "My grace is sufficient . Potential Cause of Paul the Apostle's Death. Apparently weakness can be a choice based upon strength. This is surprising coming from a man like Paul because by nature he was aggressive and strong-willed. He would have us rely on him alone. Andrew was a lover of truth, and he followed it wherever it led. Saul, the young man who became the Apostle Paul, is easy to relate to because, in many ways, he was a 21st-century man living in the first century. Some scholars say, it was a disease, sickness, which kept him from serving God, some say, it was some area of . Saul is the alternative name, especially in the Book of Acts (Acts of the Apostles). For when I am weak, then I am strong. Paul's strength in weakness is a model for all Christians. Prior to his conversion on the Damascus Road Paul used his temperament strengths to advance the cause of Judaism, self interest and terrorizing Christians. First is the decision to make the dramatization center around the final days of Paul's life. And understanding of Scripture through the power of the Holy Spirit. Before he surrendered his life to the Lord, Saul . One extreme in human behavior is the approach of a believer thinking too highly of himself. Instead, God responded by telling Paul that God's strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul was given a "thorn in the flesh," he says, to keep him from being conceited (2 Corinthians 12:7). Their weakness appears in their unbelief. His call serves as an indication of God's willingness to accept us regardless of outward dispositions. . E very ministry leader has God-given abilities, skills and spiritual gifts. 2 Corinthians 12:8. This article delves into five paradoxes recorded by Paul and how they can be resolved to reveal the mind and will of God. 12:1-10 Paul refuses to boast about anything other than his weaknesses. Taught everyone…both Jews and Gentiles (21). Denomination: Baptist. 21 Leadership Traits. Paul says, "Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 8 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, 9 but he said to me . Integrity . 1:4); he may have struggled with a timid personality, along with occasional fear and hesitance to take risks (1 Tim. In response, the Lord said, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:7-9). It was never the plan for us to overcome every . 2 Cor. As the book of Romans was written . And Paul was complicit in a murder, the murder of a fellow Jew, in an attempt to squelch the cult that was following Jesus. Had a heart for bringing lost people to Christ (21). 260. This truth is so opposed to what the world teaches that we often struggle to accept it. The Strengths. Never hesitated to preach the Word, no matter what the consequences (20). Dec 9, 2021 #1. Very few people impacted the church of Jesus Christ like the apostle Paul. As an apostle, it was Paul's mission to travel — unfettered by any of the more typical cares of the . Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10. Full Name: Paul of Tarsus, previously Saul of Tarsus Known For: Stand out missionary, theologian, biblical writer, and key early church figure whose 13 epistles comprise almost a fourth of the New Testament. One weakness he had to accept was a physical handicap; he called it "a thorn in the flesh." Spirit-filled. Encyclopedia Britannica lists Romans as Paul's last chronological writing, so these chapters were likely some of the last he wrote before his death. Read Online Paul Apostle Of Weakness epaper.newvision.co.ug Read Online Paul Apostle Of Weakness epaper.newvision.co.ug Leading with a LimpPower in WeaknessPaul's Language of Grace in Its Graeco-Roman ContextThe Apostle PaulNot by SightPaul, Apostle of WeaknessThe Strength of WeaknessWeakness Is the WayNicene and Post-Nicene And the purpose of these gifts is to build up the body by . 7 even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. The early church practised some important morals that should be practised by the church of today. He was a descendent of the tribe of Benjamin . You too be on guard against him, for he has strongly resisted our preaching.". Apostle Paul concludes his vulnerable confession that he has been dealing with a lot of circumstantial and relational attacks that left him crying out to God for deliverance. Strength through weakness. Hey everybody. John and his brother James, another disciple of Jesus, were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus called them to follow him. Why does Paul gladly boast of his weakness? Like Paul, we must learn to accept that our weaknesses can and will be used by God. 13 "Now when some days had passed, Agrippa the king and Bernice arrived at Caesarea and greeted Festus. For this reason, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong (2Corinthians 12:10, HBFV throughout). Paul's biography is interesting to us because of this single shift in conviction. Paul found spiritual pleasure in the horrible things that happened to him in his life because he felt that when he was beaten down, he could feel the power in God in him the most. The strengths of the Church are: Obedience to God through the power of the Holy Spirit. The response of Festus is not unfamiliar to many of us; the governor accused Paul of being "out of his mind" (Acts 26:24). Published: April 11, 2009. . This article delves into five paradoxes recorded by Paul and how they can be resolved to reveal the mind and will of God. In chapters 11-12 (with deliberate irony, of course) Paul boasts of it, as precisely the qualification which validates his claim to be an apostle of Christ. Weakness -- Apostle Paul's Paradox Shows US That Strength Can Be Found. Aug 10, 1991. In this eleven-session LifeGuide® Bible Study, Paul Stevens introduces you to the apostle Paul and his radical reliance on a God who can turn even human weakness into divine strength. Humble (v. 19). Even the Apostle Paul experienced weakness, fear and trembling (I Corinthians 2:1-3). Curtis. Strength Through Weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (II Corinthians Chapter 12 Verses 7-10). In 2 Corinthians 11-12, Paul describes one of the most difficult things for us to grasp and believe about the life of faith: God purposefully blesses us with weaknesses for the sake of our joy. (1) They could see that Jesus was in peril of his life. Spirit-Led, not led his own thoughts and plans (22). For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. Dale Turner. Regarding spiritual gifts, the apostle Paul said, " Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good" (1 Corinthians 12:7). . Christ's power is great in human beings. He was shipwrecked, stoned, beaten and laughed at--but he kept going. The Apostle Paul's two letters to the young pastor offer clues about Timothy's personality. The Israelites responded by faith to God's plan, and the miraculous happened! Strength in Weakness—2 Corinthians 12:2-10. For this reason, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong (2Corinthians 12:10, HBFV throughout). 2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV. This may have been recurring bouts of malaria, which was common along the southern coast of . Compassionate. u000b. For Paul, his sufferings, which he calls weaknesses, are boast-worthy precisely because they leave so much room for God's strength to be revealed in Paul's life. Committed. He was a very strong man in many aspects of his life. What are the strengths and weaknesses that can be seen in the Church? Jesus' Example and Teachings. Yet at the same time he had In Romans 15:23-29, Paul writes of his plan to meet the body of believers in Rome while on his way to Spain. Spirit-filled. The Apostle Paul was saved by God's marvelous Grace! "It (the body) is sown in weakness, it is raised in power." (ICor.15:43) 3. Since this is a positive review, I'll start with what I see as the strengths. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor 12:10, emphasis mine). Paul learned to delight in his troubles and weaknesses because they brought the blessings of God to rest . Analysis of the Book: Strengths and Weaknesses. 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 . Recently, I reread such a sentence - one that always seems inexplicably contradictory. . . God's grace is more than sufficient for you. "The promise made by the Lord to the Apostle Paul is valid for each of you: 'My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.' And later Paul added, 'For when . The Lord further revealed to Paul that the purpose of the thorn was to keep him from "becoming conceited" by the surpassing greatness of the revelations given to him (v. 7). In verse 12, Paul said the power of God was exhibited in his life, even to the point of signs and wonders and miracles. Today, Christians can continue to find power from God despite their brokenness and hardships. How ironic that one of history's greatest leaders, the Apostle Paul, learned to lead with a very different value . II Cor. And when others see our weaknesses, we are likely to feel shame, maybe even anger. You too be on guard against him, for he has strongly resisted our preaching.". Identify one or two traits that give evidence of God's grace in their lives. Spirit-Led, not led his own thoughts and plans (22). Prior to his conversion on the Damascus Road Paul used his temperament strengths to advance the cause of Judaism, self interest and terrorizing Christians. According to Paul, weakness is not always a choice due to negative circumstances. Summary: This statement of the Apostle Paul "For when I am weak, then am I strong" is confusing and difficult for many to accept. This gap leaves the door open to reasonable license in telling Paul's story. When the apostle Paul pleaded with God to remove his affliction—one he called a "thorn in the flesh"—the Lord said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:8-9, NKJV). Preached: May 26 2020 Fear can cause one to panic under extreme conditions . 4:12-16; 2 Tim. They could not see who it was that was in peril. The New Living Translation says, "My grace is all you need. Paul emphasized Jesus rising from the dead in order to be the light of the world. understanding their personal strengths and weaknesses, hearing . In 9 paragraphs, you have touched most of the core of both SS. A word of warning at the outset. Similarly, the Apostle Paul followed Christ's example and boasted in his weaknesses. My first parish in the US was a St. Peter's Church, so I went back and took a very close look at St. Peter and was struck by his limitations and yet his being chosen as The Rock. Unprejudiced. Strengths Weaknesses [ii] Both Peter and Paul were eventually arrested - their attention was arrested - by Jesus. The apostle Paul stood before the Roman governor, Festus, and proclaimed the truth of Jesus from the Old Testament scripture.