Strength in Weakness: Christ’s Power in Your Life

Daily R.E.A.P. Report for 2 Corinthians 12 (ESV)
Strength in Weakness: Christ’s Power in Your  Life

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1 I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man 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. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6 Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 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.
11 I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. 12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong! 14 Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. 17 Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps? 19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.

Second Corinthians is Paul’s most personal letter, written to a church he founded in a bustling, diverse, and morally complex city. Paul defends his integrity and apostleship against critics (“super-apostles”) who prized external strength, eloquence, and spiritual displays. Chapter 12 brings Paul’s defense to a climax: he mentions extraordinary revelations, yet insists that weakness—not spectacle—is the arena of God’s power. He expresses fatherly care, financial integrity, and a readiness to visit again, longing for the Corinthians’ maturity and repentance. This matters to daily life because it reframes weakness—not as failure—but as the place where Jesus meets us with sufficient grace and transforming power.

Examine

God’s grace is enough in every limitation, and His power shines brightest in our weakness. Paul refuses to build credibility on visions or status; instead, he boasts in weakness so that the power of Christ may rest upon him. True spiritual authority is marked by humility, endurance, sacrificial love, and integrity—not self-promotion.

Connection to Jesus: Jesus embodied power-through-weakness: He refused to win people by spectacle, embraced the cross, and demonstrated that resurrection power flows through surrender. The risen Lord speaks to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you,” inviting us to rely on Christ’s presence rather than our performance. As we follow Jesus, we learn to serve without seeking advantage, to love without demanding return, and to trust that God works mightily through apparent frailty.

Main Themes:
- Power in Weakness: God’s strength is most visible when we come to the end of ourselves.
- Humble Integrity in Ministry: Servant leadership spends and is spent for others, avoiding exploitation.
- Repentance and Renewal: Love confronts sin for the sake of restoration and joy.

Key Word Study:
- “Thorn” (Greek: skolops): Literally a stake or sharp splinter—evoking ongoing, piercing pain. Paul’s “thorn” signifies a persistent affliction God uses to guard against pride and deepen dependence.
- “Grace” (Greek: charis): God’s unearned favor and empowering presence. Not only pardon for sin but divine enablement to endure and to act. “My grace is sufficient” means God’s active help is enough, right now, for this situation.

Apply

Reflective Questions:
- Where do I feel most limited or exposed today, and how might Jesus want to display His power there?
- What would “boasting in weakness” look like in my relationships—more honesty, asking for help, or giving God credit?
- Are there areas of influence (home, work, church) where I need to model Paul’s integrity and sacrificial love?

Real-Life Application:
- Name Your Thorn: Identify one recurring struggle (health issue, anxiety, criticism, financial pressure). Write it down. Pray specifically, “Jesus, let Your power rest on me here.”
- Practice Transparent Strength: Share one weakness with a trusted friend or mentor. Ask for prayer and accountability. Let Christ—not image management—be your covering.
- Lead with Integrity: Like Paul, avoid burdening or manipulating others. Be clear, accountable, and generous. If you lead a team, open the books, set healthy boundaries, and show that people matter more than outcomes.

Pray

Father, I praise You that Your grace is sufficient and Your power is made perfect in weakness. Forgive me for chasing appearances and hiding my need. I confess my limitations—You see them all. Lord Jesus, let Your power rest on me today. Give me courage to be honest, humility to depend on You, and love to serve others with integrity. Holy Spirit, strengthen me to “spend and be spent” for the good of those around me. Turn my thorn into a testimony. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Closing Reflection: Picture yourself as a sailboat in calm wind. Your effort can’t create the breeze, but your open sail can catch it. Your weakness is the lifted sail; God’s grace is the wind. As you open your need to Him, His power fills and moves you.

Call to Action: Memorize 2 Corinthians 12:9 today. Share one weakness with a trusted person and ask them to pray this verse over you. Walk forward confident that Jesus’ grace is enough—and that His power is at work in you right where you feel least strong.