Two months ago, Ross Douthat of the New York Times interviewed Ben Sasse—former Senator of Nebraska, former President of the University of Florida. Sasse was diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer. He doesn’t have much longer to live. In that interview, Douthat asks Ben Sasse, “I assume you’ve prayed for healing and God hasn’t answered those prayers. Are you angry with God?”

Sasse answers like this: “No, I wouldn’t want a sovereign God to defer to all my prayers with a Yes, because I’m not omniscient. I don’t know what the weaving together of the tapestry of full redemption should look like. But I know going through the period of suffering that I’m going through is a benefit, because it is a winnowing. I’m filled with dross and this suffering is not salvific, but it’s sanctifying, and I’m grateful for it.” Then, after quoting Tim Keller he says, “I now, in the midst of this disease, know more the truth of my finitude than I ever let myself believe in the past.”[i]

Suffering exposes our finitude. Pain uncovers our weakness. Question is, are we content when suffering exposes our weakness? Do we view our weakness as an opportunity to boast in the Lord’s power? How can a Christian like Ben Sasse say, “No, [I’m not angry with God]…I’m grateful for [what God is doing in me through the suffering]”? In our passage, suffering exposes Paul as a weak man; and in that experience he learns a crucial truth: weakness is the way because Jesus’ power is made perfect in our weakness. Let’s read from God’s word, starting in verse 1…

¹ I must go on boasting. Though there’s 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.

2 Corinthians has three major units. Chapters 1-7 was the first, where Paul defends the integrity of his ministry. Chapters 8-9 make up the second, where Paul encourages the church to give generously to a collection. Then chapters 10-13 finish things off with a personal plea. It’s in these final chapters that Paul goes hard after the so-called “super apostles.” One of their tactics was to engage in boasting. They measure themselves by one another. They make comparisons by putting Paul down and then making much of themselves—their Jewish heritage, their speaking skills, their outward appearance. For them, it’s all about impressing others with their own strength.

Well, since the Corinthians are so enamored by the boasting of these teachers, Paul engages in a bit of boasting himself. Only it soon becomes clear that Paul’s boasting is quite different. He has the credentials to go toe-to-toe with these “super-apostles.” But when Paul boasts, he chooses to boast of things that show his weaknesses. Why? Because no man deserves glory except the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Privilege – Visions and Revelations

Paul’s segment on boasting reaches its climax in our text; and it’s here that we learn weakness is the way. We’ll see that especially in verses 7-10. But verses 1-6 are the setup—Paul starts with an unexpected twist. After listing many weaknesses—forty lashes, beaten with rods, shipwrecked, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, escaping at night in a basket—after all those weaknesses, Paul launches into an impressive privilege: “visions and revelations of the Lord.”

He tells the story in third person, but we know by verse 7 that he’s talking about himself. Paul was “caught up to the third heaven.” Or to put it another way, he was “caught up into paradise” itself—the abode of the righteous dwelling with God. If any of you know the comedian Brian Regan, this is an “I walked on the moon” kind of moment. The astronauts who walked on the moon can just about one-up anybody’s story. Well, Paul has a story better than theirs. After all, the revelations were of “surpassing greatness,” verse 7 says. One can only imagine the unmediated presence of God. The experience was so overwhelming that Paul can hardly make sense of it all.

Now, if you were the sort that liked the one-upmanship of the “super-apostles,” this would be quite appealing. “Finally, Paul is getting to the good stuff, the impressive. Visions and revelations of the Lord! He’s going to finish things off with a bang!” But then you realize, “Wait, your boast doesn’t sound like the kind we’re used to.”

For example, notice how the vision isn’t a result of something Paul did. Paul isn’t boasting in his ability to connect with the divine through some ritual. He doesn’t even know how to explain all that happened. He just knows it happened to him. It was something God did. God caught him up. Paul did nothing.

He also throws out “fourteen years ago.” He’s known the Corinthians for several years—and paradise just never came up? Paul hasn’t mentioned this before? He never talks about it in his letters except here, when he’s forced to boast like a fool. So, in terms of ministry priority—telling people about this vision isn’t even necessary to Paul.

But even here, notice how many details he leaves out. In our culture, if someone has a private, spiritual experience where (supposedly) they’re taken to heaven—suddenly that person becomes a celebrity: “Let’s give him a mic on every talk show. Let’s sell books about the experience. Doesn’t matter if he’s ten, suddenly he’s an expert on heaven.” By contrast, Paul doesn’t describe anything he saw; and the things he heard are too sacred to tell—verse 4 says. Depending on the translation, the language might even be stronger: God wouldn’t allow him to tell.

Besides all that, Paul tells the story in third-person; and the reason why becomes clearer in verse 5. “On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—though if I should wish to boast, I wouldn’t be a fool, for I’d be speaking the truth…” Using the third-person creates some distance between the type of person Paul could be, if he wanted to be—if he wanted to be the kind of man that went toe-to-toe with these super-apostles, he’s got them beat (and on grounds that are true!). But that’s not the type of person Paul is.

That’s not what his ministry is about. Notice what he adds in verse 6: “but I refrain from [boasting in this way], so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.” Paul doesn’t want them to base their assessment on his private experiences—no matter how spectacular they are. He wants them to base their judgment on his character and his confession. Objectively, what have they seen in Paul? What have they heard from Paul? Christ and him crucified.

When evaluating Christian leaders, that should be a lesson for us all. Claims of spectacular visions can’t be the only measure by which we discern someone’s legitimacy. The question isn’t, “Have they had extraordinary experiences?” The question is, “What kind of life do they live?” “What gospel do they preach?” Watch out for growing movements like the New Apostolic Reformation—some of their leaders are on the White House Counsel. Mercy Culture is just up the highway from us. Peruse their website and notice how much they emphasize sensational experiences—while their leaders claim to be apostles and boast in new revelations from God. People are still eating it up.

Paul is saying that he doesn’t want to be judged by the sensational, but by his conduct and confession. Are both pointing others to the true Jesus? Look at Paul’s sufferings, listen to his message, and you will see that Paul’s only boast is in Christ or in Paul’s weaknesses that point others to Christ.

The Humiliation – A Thorn in the Flesh

And here’s the surprise of verses 7-10. The heavenly vision isn’t the point. Great as they are, the “visions and revelations” function more like a lamp to focus people’s attention elsewhere. It’s as if Paul holds up the lamp of his visions, and while they’re getting all starry-eyed, he turns and lights up what he really wants them to see: a thorn that exposes his weakness. Verse 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.”

Many theories exist about this “thorn.” They usually fall into one of three categories. One is that it’s a psychological anxiety. Another is that it’s a physical ailment of some kind—like a chronic illness. The last category is ongoing persecution. The text just doesn’t tell us. Therefore, we’d do well not to get very explicit either. It’s possible that the Spirit keeps things general on purpose as many “thorns” might afflict us.

Here’s what’s clear: the thorn is an ongoing condition. The present tense verbs show that it stays with Paul throughout his life. Also, the thorn causes enough pain that Paul cries for its removal in verse 8—Paul isn’t a Stoic, pretending like it’s no big deal. The thorn is also a beatdown. He calls it “a messenger of Satan to harass me”—literally, to cause physical impairment. Satan uses the thorn to pummel Paul into the ground.

But we also see that God stands behind this thorn. Notice the purpose. Twice he states it: “to keep me from becoming conceited [arrogant].” The NASB has “to keep me from exalting myself.” Satan doesn’t aim for humility; he aims to harass. But God’s aim is humility for Paul. So, we know the passive verb in verse 7—“a thorn was given me”—refers to God. The thorn in Paul’s flesh is simultaneously Satan’s device and God’s gift. Satan’s intent is evil; God’s intent is good.

It’s not the only place in Scripture where things like this come together. We could think of Joseph in Genesis 50:20, “you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Or the book of Job—Satan causes great pain in Job’s life. He destroys his crops, his family, afflicts his flesh with sores. Satan wants to destroy Job’s faith. But all of it happens by God’s permission and for God’s good purpose in Job’s life.

We could also think of the life of Jesus. Whether it’s Satan tempting Jesus in the wilderness, or Satan acting through Judas to kill Jesus, God planned it all. He was simultaneously working out his good purposes. In these examples, we see that evil is not in control. God is. And though we may not comprehend how he works it out, we know that he is good and his purposes are good. In this case, it’s good to keep Paul humble.

Now, it wouldn’t be wise to take a passage like this and apply it to just any and every form of suffering. The Bible has a multitude of passages that speak to different kinds of suffering. Moreover, there are many occasions in which we’re just not told God’s purpose in a particular instance of suffering. So, it would be insufficient at best (or just wrong) to assume, “Oh, so and so must have pride that God is dealing with.”

At the same time, the notes in this passage join a chorus of others to help us see that our own sufferings are not meaningless. We may not always be able to discern exactly what good God is up to, but passages like this help us see that God’s intentions are good. We can rest assured that God has a good purpose in pain, even if we can’t yet see what it is. It also reminds us that God is sovereign in our sufferings. Take comfort in the fact that evil is never in control. God is in control. He has a plan. And in his providence, he’s guiding all things to a very good end.

Again, I could point to the example of Ben Sasse. Later, in that same interview, Ross Douthat asks him, “For the listener…who doesn’t believe in God, and finds your cosmic optimism admirable but maybe thinks you’re deluding yourself…What would you say to that person?” Sasse responds, “Let’s read the book of Romans together. In Romans 1, where Paul is essentially laying out a catechetical argument for the structure of Christianity against a Jewish, messianic, hopeful backdrop—he says in chapter 1, there are lots of intellectual arguments you can make against God, but you kind of have to start with a fundamental question about what you do with this moral issue of our own conscience. And does the individual in your hypothetical really start with the claim that things are right in their soul, because I can’t relate to that. Things are not right in my soul. My soul thinks Ben should be God and I want that to die. Cancer sucks, but I’m pretty grateful that cancer is a stake against my delusional self-idolatry.”[ii]

God has a good purpose in the pain. The thorn was to keep Paul from becoming conceited about the visions God had given him.

The Assurance – Christ’s Sufficient Grace

I’m sure knowing that purpose helped Paul to endure. But you know, it doesn’t take long for suffering to get old. So, what happens when Paul finally asks God to remove the thorn? After all he endures, surely the Lord says Yes. No. Instead, Paul receives something better: the assurance of Jesus’ grace and power. Verse 8, “Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.” In suffering, we rightly want it to end. We’re not masochists. We also don’t pursue suffering, as if to say the more we suffer, the holier we automatically become. No, Paul prays for the Lord to remove his thorn. What suffering have you repeatedly prayed for the Lord to remove?

You’re not alone in that cry. Paul knew that cry. He didn’t ask for this thorn. It was given to him. It was outside his control. Some of you are suffering from things outside your control. You didn’t ask for this pain; and it just won’t go away. You know God could remove it, but no matter how many times you ask he chooses not to.

Paul experienced that dilemma. But through it, he also learns what he needed more. Listen to these words of assurance: “Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” God heard his prayers. But God doesn’t give Paul the answer he wanted—the removal of pain.

Brothers and sisters, are you okay when God answers this way? Can you trust him when his answer is No? Or do you respond with bitterness and anger? Do you push God away instead and search for “better” solutions on your own, trusting in your own strength, your own wisdom? Please don’t miss this. God doesn’t give Paul the answer he wanted. God gives him something better. The Lord gives Paul more of himself, the assurance of Jesus’ sufficient grace.

I love the way Paul phrases it. The wording “he said to me” is in the perfect tense. Meaning, Jesus’ words of assurance have an ongoing effect. However long Paul’s thorn will last, Jesus’ grace will be sufficient for him every moment of every day. Paul won’t reach a point in his sufferings where the grace he needs for that day suddenly runs dry. All that he needs to stay faithful will be supplied.

Why? Because Jesus’ power is made perfect in weakness. This is the way God works. The whole Bible tells this story. Israel trapped at the Red Sea. Israel blowing trumpets around the mighty fortress of Jericho. Gideon’s tiny army—only 300 men against 130,000. A little shepherd boy named David before the mighty Goliath. Psalm 8:2, “Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength…to still the enemy.” God loves to display his power through human weakness.

Ultimately, think of Jesus. He had no form or majesty that we should look at him. He had no beauty that we should desire him. He too prayed in weakness. He too prayed three times for the Lord to remove his pain. Three times in the Garden he cried, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” God didn’t remove the cup of suffering from him; and Jesus gladly submitted.

Jesus was crucified in weakness, hanging on a cross in nakedness and shame. He suffered until he died, and then his limp body was put into a tomb (Talk about weakness!). And yet this is the moment in which God displays his power in saving the world. It was on that cross that God was working to meet our greatest need of all, the forgiveness of our sins; and on the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead in power.

Likewise, with Paul, this thorn exposes him to be a weak man. But it’s in and through that weakness that Christ’s power is made perfect. Think of all the ways Paul has said it in this letter alone. He’s afflicted, persecuted, struck down, always carrying in his body the death of Jesus. But in that weakness, the resurrection life of Jesus is manifested in Paul’s mortal flesh. The death at work in Paul also brings about life in the Corinthians.

Suffering often puts us through tough lessons. One of those lessons is that life isn’t about us. Life is about displaying the power and grace of God revealed in the person of Jesus. Life is not about how strong we are, but about how strong God is. Our weaknesses become a theater for God to show off Christ’s sufficient grace. Do you view your own weakness this way? Do you know the assurance of Christ’s sufficient grace? If you say, “Well, Jesus said those words to Paul, not to me.” Fair enough. But Paul also ends the letter with these words: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ…be with you all.”

Should we pray for our various sufferings to end? Yes; and sometimes the Lord uses our prayers to relieve somebody’s pain—James 5:15 is still true. But if the Lord chooses not to remove the pain, know that his grace will be sufficient for every moment in it. Rest assured that there is no suffering you will experience that is beyond the reach of Jesus’ grace. He never gets tired of meeting your needs. He will come through for all his children until you see him face to face in glory.

The Boast – My Weaknesses

Now everything comes together. The visions, the thorn, the unanswered prayer, the assurance of grace—all of it leads Paul to one astounding boast. Look at verses 9-10, “Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I’m content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

When Paul says he boasts in weaknesses, he doesn’t mean sin or moral imperfections (though he was aware of those things). The context makes it plain: he’s talking about things like insult, hardship, persecution, calamity, his thorn in the flesh. He’s talking about circumstances that happen to him in the path of obedience that expose him as weak. Those are the weaknesses Paul boasts about.

Gladly he boasts about them. He finds contentment in them. Some translate that word, “satisfaction,” or “take pleasure in.” I remember sitting down with a close pastor friend from another church. We were discussing my insomnia and some of the discouragements I felt. Eventually we got around to 11:27—Paul mentions “sleepless nights.” My sleepless nights had exposed me as a very weak man.

But in that conversation, I had to admit—contentment, gladly boasting—these were not words I would’ve used to describe the way I felt about my weaknesses. I had other words for it…yeah, those kinds of words. I wasn’t content because I want to be the strong one. I want to have it altogether. I want to have all the energy. I want to be impressive. But the Lord has something better for me (and something better for others)—less of Bret, way more of Christ.

The wording in “so that the power of Christ may rest upon me”—the verb, “to rest upon me” is same idea when God’s glory rested on the tabernacle in the wilderness. Paul is saying that in his weakness Christ pitches his glory-tent over Paul, so that Christ’s powerful presence dwells with Paul. He brings Paul into the most holy place with himself. That’s how Paul can say, “I will boast all the more gladly.” That’s how we can say it as well. Our contentment in weakness comes with knowing that Christ is present. He does not leave us in our weaknesses; he reveals his power.

Paul says, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Scott Hafemann provides some good clarity here: “His point is not that the weaker he is, the stronger he is, which would wrongly lead to seeking suffering for the sake of supposedly deeper spirituality. Rather, Paul’s point is that Christ’s power is present in his suffering, whenever and wherever and however such suffering should…come his way.”[iii]

Earlier I asked, are you content when suffering exposes your weaknesses? Do we view weakness as an opportunity to boast in the Lord’s power? How can we say with Paul, “I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses” or “I am content with weaknesses”? We get there by walking humbly with our Lord, trusting that in his providence he has good and sanctifying purposes in our sufferings.

We get there by resting assured that Jesus’ grace will always be sufficient—we need him more than we need our suffering to end. We get there by knowing that when we are weak, the presence of Christ’s power will strengthen us. Weakness is the way because Jesus’ power is made perfect in our weakness.

We’ve seen this play out in the lives of countless Christians across the centuries. Ben Sasse is just another example of what it looks like to trust God in weakness. Jesus’ grace really is sufficient; and it will be sufficient for you. Whatever suffering the Lord allows to remain, his grace will be enough. God is at work in our weaknesses to display the power of Jesus, so that in the end he gets all the glory.

As we move to the Lord’s Supper, we’re going to sing “His Glory and My Good” by CityAlight. The second verse is fitting to the themes in our passage: “There is hope in every trial / For I can trust the Lord / He will turn my heart towards Him / And help me bear the thorn / So in faith I follow Jesus / On the road not understood / For I know that He is working / For His glory and my good.” As the team comes to lead us. Take a moment to consider how the truths of today’s passage might help you sing this song in your own sufferings, as Christ’s power is perfected in your weakness.

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[i] Ross Douthat and Ben Sasse, “How Ben Sasse Is Living Now That He Is Dying,” YouTube (April 9, 2026), accessed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CFo6-6BN9k.

[ii] Ibid.

[iii] Scott Hafemann, 2 Corinthians, NIVAC (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000), 473.