God’s Measured Grace

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (ESV) 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.

To understand Paul’s prayer for relief and God’s response we need to dig deeper. 

2 Corinthians 12:1-6 (ESV) 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.

Paul was plagued often with having to defend his apostleship to those who were questioning his status due to some of the things he endured and etc. 

Some think that this happened when he was stones and left for dead. 

Acts 14:19-22 (ESV) 19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Paul could brag on how God has blessed him and how close He is to God in not only THIS revelation but others he had too. 

• Acts 9: Jesus appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus
• Acts 16: God gave Paul a vision of a man from Macedonia urging him to come to them. 
• Acts 27: an Angel came to Paul and told him he would not die in the shipwreck because he must stand before Cesar.

Simply put, Paul could brag on himself and all that God had done through him as an instrument and it would be easy for Paul to start thinking highly of himself. 

But…… 

2 Corinthians 12:7 (ESV) 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

SO TO KEEP ME FROM BEING CONCEITED…..

A Thorn was given to me in the flesh

• Skolops: a stake used for holding tents or impalement

A messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being conceited. 

• The KJV used the word “buffet”
• Kolaphizō: to strike with the fist, give one a blow with the fist, to maltreat, treat with violence and contempt

This wasn’t a splinter or a little thorn from a rose bush…. 

• This was a real physical difficulty, almost debilitating without the grace & strength of God carry him. 
• Jews very often equated these types of afflictions to God’s judgement as if Paul was being afflicted for sin. 

God even used Paul’s ailments to take him to places He wanted him to be….. 

Galatians 4:12-14 (ESV) 12 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong. 13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, 14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.

So Paul prayed as we all would….. 

2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (ESV) 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.

Three times Paul PLEADED….. not just any light prayer, but an emotional outpouring of Paul begging God for healing. 

David Guzik - When his passionate and repeated plea was not answered, it must have concerned Paul. It added another dimension to this trial.

• It had a physical dimension, in that it was a thorn in the flesh.
• It had a mental dimension, in that it was a messenger of Satan.
• It had a spiritual dimension, in that it was an unanswered prayer.

God response to Paul…. “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Sufficient….. 

• God gives us the measure of grace we need for the moment. 
• It’s not what we think is enough, but what God gives IS enough. 

My power is made perfect in weakness…. 

“Jesus understands our case, and knows our need, and will proportion the remedy to our malady (disease or ailment), and not only strengthen us, but glorify himself. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. Thus his grace is manifested and magnified…..”  - Matthew Henry

In our weakness God’s power is showcased and on display for others to see! 

Paul’s response, should also be ours…. 

• Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Last verse in this portion of Paul’s letter… 

2 Corinthians 12:10 (ESV) 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.

Pray, trust and be content…..  It’s ALL about Him! 

• That’s the recipe for how to life’s difficulties and what we perceive as deficiencies