2 Corinthians 11:16-33
Today’s Passage: 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
This is a famous passage about the suffering and hardship that Paul walked through as an ambassador for Jesus here on earth. He is speaking against the false teachers and boasters showing them that we are to boast in our weakness. Seems backwards, right? That is because it is backwards to the world. Paul will finish his thought in 2 Corinthians 12 where he writes…
“... “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (v.9-10)
I heard a quote one time that has always stuck with me… IF DEPENDENCE IS THE GOAL, THEN WEAKNESS IS THE ADVANTAGE.
The number 1 goal of our life should be to be dependent upon God in a deep relationship with Him. If this is the goal then hardship, suffering, & weakness helps us achieve it. Even in 2 Corinthians 1 Paul talks about suffering making us RELY upon God.
Which brings us to a second quote I have heard that has really stuck with me… THE PERSON THAT GOD WANTS TO USE GREATLY, HE MUST WOUND DEEPLY.
Our suffering is not meant to stay with us. It is meant to teach us. It is meant to make us reliant upon Christ. It is to push us toward Him so that we push others toward Him. So that we comfort those with the comfort with which we have been comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1). So that we can teach others about God’s character. God always has a purpose to our suffering and hardship.
Take hope in Romans 8:28…
“28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Reflect today:
1) What has the hardships of life taught me about God?
2) How does God want to use what He taught me to impact others? 3) Thank God for how He has revealed Himself to you in your life & ask Him to use you.
Written By: Nick Parsons
This is a famous passage about the suffering and hardship that Paul walked through as an ambassador for Jesus here on earth. He is speaking against the false teachers and boasters showing them that we are to boast in our weakness. Seems backwards, right? That is because it is backwards to the world. Paul will finish his thought in 2 Corinthians 12 where he writes…
“... “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (v.9-10)
I heard a quote one time that has always stuck with me… IF DEPENDENCE IS THE GOAL, THEN WEAKNESS IS THE ADVANTAGE.
The number 1 goal of our life should be to be dependent upon God in a deep relationship with Him. If this is the goal then hardship, suffering, & weakness helps us achieve it. Even in 2 Corinthians 1 Paul talks about suffering making us RELY upon God.
Which brings us to a second quote I have heard that has really stuck with me… THE PERSON THAT GOD WANTS TO USE GREATLY, HE MUST WOUND DEEPLY.
Our suffering is not meant to stay with us. It is meant to teach us. It is meant to make us reliant upon Christ. It is to push us toward Him so that we push others toward Him. So that we comfort those with the comfort with which we have been comforted by God (2 Corinthians 1). So that we can teach others about God’s character. God always has a purpose to our suffering and hardship.
Take hope in Romans 8:28…
“28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Reflect today:
1) What has the hardships of life taught me about God?
2) How does God want to use what He taught me to impact others? 3) Thank God for how He has revealed Himself to you in your life & ask Him to use you.
Written By: Nick Parsons
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