Bible Studies

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“Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, … ” II Corinthians 12:9 NIV

Do we think it a stretch to say God’s awesome power could be made perfect in our paltry human weakness? In this next portion of scripture, as we peer deep into the world of words, we will see Paul’s answer to this question in passionate and picturesque language.

"Therefore I will boast." the word “boast,” rendered in some versions “glory,” is derived from the Greek word “hauchaomai” (2744 - Strong‘s NT Greek.) Hauchaomai comes from an obsolete base that is akin to “aucheo” (to boast) and 2172 ‘euchomai;’ from primitive verb; to wish; by implication to pray to God; pray, will, wish. (will boast, will glory or "I wish to boast, I wish to glory."

Webster puts it this way: to puff oneself up in speech; speak vaingloriously, or for the archaic: glory, exult. Synonyms listed are boast, brag, vaunt, crow. Vaunt usually connotes more pomp and bombast than boast and less credulity or naiveté than brag. Anyway you slice it. "boast" is not what you could call a timid word.

As compliment to boast, the adverb ‘gladly” is found at the listing 2236 in Strong’s NT Greek: “hedista,” plural of the superlative of the same as 2234 (sweetly with pleasure); with great pleasure; most (very) gladly.

As you may have guessed, this is where our word hedonism comes from. Superlative, indeed, "hedista" nearly floats off the page.

As I was smithing and pondering these words the very colorful phrase “glory hog” became a pop-up in my thoughts. Not in the traditional or cliche' sense, ie, someone hogging the spotlight, but rather a quirky mental picture of one such as Paul rolling around in his own weakness in mud-spattering, hedonistic joy. Isn't that an arresting vision? And so different from the way we normally tend to view our weaknesses!

Well, it gets even better. When we come to the next portion of the passage, “that Christ’s power may rest upon me,” the Greek original text provides us a sharp but also a comforting illustration.

Again from Strong’s NT origins we see the word “episkenoo” (1981) to rest or to tent upon, abide with, rest upon. In other words, while we’re down here splashing around in the mud of our own weaknesses, Christ’s power is tenting over us, catching the drops. Or to look at it from another angle, one might say inside out, when we tuck in what stronger or better protection from the terror by night and the pestilence that walks in darkness could we have then a solid Christ-tent over our heads?

Now one thing I want to make clear: this is not saying Paul did or Christ would take pleasure in sin; sin brought death into our world and death is the last enemy Christ came to conquer. (I Cor. 15:26) Rather the idea here is to shift the emphasis from our supposed strengths to Christ Himself. His grace is more than sufficient and as such He wants it to have free reign in our lives.

When we feel helpless, weak, frail, and unable is the very instant Christ is ready to step into the spotlight to do His most noble work. This is what He designed His power to do, what He deeply desires to do, and we His children, if we are willing to look to Him, are the happy recipients.

Now as we come to the last verse in this portion of our word study, I Corinthians 12:10 pretty much sums it all up: "That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”




Adapted from "Confident Weakness" bible study by Belinda Dunn. Study questions, hers.

Answers and comments: Janice Cartwright

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