By Kenneth B.E. Roxburgh, Ph.D.
Professor of Religion, Samford University
The Gift of Grace
2 Corinthians 12:2–10
Faith is very fragile. Most of us struggle with emotions that can lead to turmoil in our hearts. It is hard to turn away from the world of experience and to put one’s trust in the invisible and intangible world of the promises of God’s Word. Often life seems like Good Friday — dark, deserted, full of death. Where is God in our moments of Gethsemane and Golgotha? Has God abandoned us?
God honors and blesses us in Christ. (2–7a)
Paul knew from personal experience the reality of trials and troubles in his life. But he also knew the gift of God’s grace that enabled Paul to rise above difficulties to trust God and to testify to God’s goodness in Paul’s life.
As well as encountering difficulties, Paul knew some exalted experiences as a Christian. In this passage, he talks about being “caught up into paradise.” We must be careful that this passage of Scripture doesn’t make us feel spiritually inadequate because we have not known such an encounter with God. Paul’s blessings are not the litmus test of our own faith. We are more likely to identify with Paul’s sense of weakness in this passage, but that does not mean that we should not expect God to bless us in ways that are beyond our imagining. All the gifts of God come not because we are worthy but because He gives them to His people.
Hardships can keep us from pride. (7b–8)
Paul strongly suggests in these two verses that he could have become proud as a result of his spiritual encounters. This is why he believes God sent him a “thorn in the flesh” — to keep Paul humble. Just as we do not know what Paul means by being “caught up in paradise,” Paul also leaves us a bit bewildered as to this “thorn in the flesh.” Commentators suggest a variety of possibilities: epilepsy, depression, headaches or even eye problems. We do not have a clue.
Whatever it was, it was unpleasant and caused Paul great discomfort physically, emotionally and spirituality. What the problem was is not important. What is key to the issue is that it humbled Paul and brought him to his knees. From that place, Paul cried out to God in prayer.
God helps us by His grace to endure anything. (9–10)
Although Paul expresses a very human desire to be rid of what was causing him such distress, he came to the point in which God’s answer was, “No.” Yet Paul discovered a deeper spiritual truth: “My grace is sufficient for you.”
The Scriptures assure us that we can put our trust in a God of affection, of tenderness, of mercy, forgiveness, compassion and also of strength and power. He is able to support us in times of great distress. This is the one to whom we come over and over and over again and cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us.
Annie J. Flint went through many difficulties. She was twice orphaned as her birth parents and both adoptive parents died. She suffered from severe arthritis and spent much of her life in a wheelchair. Yet, through it all, she discovered the grace of God and wrote about it in a hymn:
“He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.”
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