We often come across the verse, "My grace is sufficient for you," in Christian homes, on Bible plaques, and even on car billboards. It's a verse frequently quoted as a blessing. However, we sometimes overlook the context in which this verse was spoken, focusing solely on its comforting message. When Jesus said these words to Paul, it was in response to Paul's plea for the removal of a sickness. While this is commonly emphasized in sermons and teachings, there's a deeper story behind this verse that we often miss.
We read this verse in 2 Corinthians 12:9 '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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. '
To truly grasp the grace that God extended to Paul, we need to understand the sequence of events that led up to these words. To uncover this, you'll need to read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, where the full context of this powerful message is revealed.
Third Heaven
2 Corinthians 12:1-4 'I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. '
In those days, the Judaizers were eager to gain recognition and often boasted about their "letters of recommendation”, But Paul did not seek honour from them.
Instead God honoured Paul by giving him visions of revelation. In this revelation he was taken to third heaven. John had the same experience, got to write the book of the Revelation. Similar to this ,Paul had a experience to meet God.
The Bible speaks of three heavens.
The first heaven is the visible heaven of the universe and space (Psalms 8:3 'When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, )
The third heaven, where the apostle Paul was caught up, is also called Paradise - where God's throne is 2 Corinthians 12:2,4 'I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. '
Between the first and the third heavens must be "the second heaven", some say the second heaven is outer space
When we pray, we have to penetrate through this second heaven to get to the third heaven. The best way to penetrate is by praising God.
The one thing that the devil cannot stand is praise to God! So, if you find it difficult to pray, stop praying, and start praising God. Get connected to the third heaven and then start praying.
God honoured Paul by granting him visions and revelations, even taking him to heaven, where he encountered "inexpressible things" that words or human experience cannot describe, we read on this in 2 Corinthians 12:4 “but God knows— was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.”
Paul speaks about this experience 14 years after it happened. For someone to have such an extraordinary experience and keep it to themselves for 14 years is remarkable. If this would have happened to me I would have shared to all to gain recognition. But Paul stayed humble, not seeking fame. Instead, he says to boasts on the weakness and the thorn in flesh.
Thorn in Flesh
2 Corinthians 12:5-7 'I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. '
Paul's extraordinary experience in heaven had the potential to hinder his earthly ministry. To prevent pride from taking root, God allowed Satan to afflict Paul, ensuring he remained humble. “But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.”
Paul's thorn in the flesh was given to him to protect him from sinning. Such profound spiritual experiences, like being taken to heaven and back, can easily inflate human ego and pride, which can lead to many sins.
If Paul had been consumed by pride, those 14 years might have been filled with failures. As for the "thorn in the flesh"—we don't know exactly what it was, and perhaps it's better that we don’t know.
God allowed Satan to afflict Paul, just as He permitted Satan to afflict Job (Job 1-2). Satan cannot act against any believer without God's permission.
Suffering is a tool God uses to build Godly character (Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. ')
If Paul had access to "instant healing" due to his relationship with Christ, why did he not use it for himself or for others, such as Epaphroditus?
Philippians 2:25-27 'But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. For he longs for all of you and is distressed because you heard he was ill. Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, to spare me sorrow upon sorrow. '
What a stark contrast in Paul's experience: from visiting paradise to enduring pain, he went from glory to suffering.
Lord knows how to balance our lives, if we have only blessings, we may become proud. So he permits us to have burdens as well.
When suffering enters our lives, people respond in various ways:
Some become bitter towards God.
Others blame God for taking away their freedom and pleasure.
Some give up and miss out on the blessings God has planned for them.
Meanwhile, others maintain a brave front and persevere to the end to receive their blessing.
God uses suffering to discipline us and allows them to come so that we seek a spirit of repentance to correct our ways with him - Hebrews 12:7 'Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? '
We often suffer due to our own foolishness and disobedience to the Lord. For e.g., King David endured suffering because of his sin with Bathsheba, facing both painful consequences and God's discipline (2 Samuel 12:1-22; Psalms 51). While God graciously forgives our sins, His justice requires us to face the consequences of our disobedience.
Sickness & Pain - It is entirely normal for Christians to seek God's deliverance from sickness and pain. But God does not obligate himself to heal every believer upon request, but he encourages us to bring our burdens and needs to Him through prayer.
When a Christian believer falls ill, they should turn to prayer and seek the help of church elders to pray with faith. They should also examine themselves for any sin. Medical help should be accepted as needed, and healing is likely under normal circumstances. James 5:14-15 'Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. '
God is our Healer, revealed as Jehovah-Rapha, meaning "The Lord who heals." He has not changed, and His power remains the same. What is impossible for man or medicine is possible with God!
GRACE
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 '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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 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. '
There are three things we need to learn in the Grace thats given
1) GRACE : To Build God’s character in us
Message of Grace - What is grace? It is God's provision for every need we have, exactly when we need it.
GRACE can also be said in a different form God’s Richness Available at Christ Expense (For all of us who have the faith, we experience the grace thru the work of his at the calvary )- John 1:16 'Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. '
The Grace we get from Our God is from
“Throne of Grace “ - Hebrews 4:16 'Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.'
“The God of all grace” - 1 Peter 5:10 'And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. '
“The Word of his grace” - Acts 20:32 '“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. '
Grace is not given merely to endure suffering but to rise above our circumstances and the feelings that cause affliction, enabling us to carry out God's work. Through this, God shapes and strengthens our character.
2) GRACE : sufficient grace
The message of sufficient grace is that there is never a lack of grace. He gives more grace - James 4:6 'But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” '
When Paul prayed three times for his sickness to be removed, God did not provide a substitution but rather addressed the need for transformation. This is why He did not remove the affliction despite Paul's pleas.
As Paul prayed he was given deep insight and learnt it was a gift from God. So he says “I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
We will have struggles of sickness or any challenge, but this grace God is giving will be sufficient from 3 dimensions to overcome
Sufficient for our spiritual matters (2 Corinthians 3:4-6 Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. )
Our material worldly needs - 2 Corinthians 9:8 'And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. '
Meet our our humanly physical needs 2 Corinthians 12:9 '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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. '
Put this sufficient grace in context of Paul’s life
Paul was blessed Spiritually in many ways, God’s Holy Spirit lead him to write 13 Books in New Testament
Paul worked as a tent maker, God still gave Orders to him so that he will continue as tent maker to meet his daily needs of living, Grace helped others come and give the orders to make tent. They did not say he is a preacher why would I give this work to a preacher, the grace enabled people to trust him and give work to him.
Paul with the torn in his flesh did not die, the grace enabled to endure experiences that no one else would even be close to suffer like this.. He describes this in 2 places. I have read this again and again, it gives goose bumps to me on how he would have experienced and endured this. such is the power of God’d grace.. self examine to see if you have experienced any of this in your life..
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 'We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. '
2 Corinthians 11:23-27 'Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.
It is through the message of strengthening grace that God allows us to experience weakness, so we can receive his strength. This is a continuous process “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
In Christian life we get many of our blessing through transformation not out of substitution. Transformation comes from struggles and enduring the struggles to receive the crown of blessing from God.
3) GRACE : Glorify God
Paul was able to Glorify God in his infirmities
What made the difference ? The grace of God and the Glory of God
He took pleasure in suffering that he glorified God in every experience. 2 Corinthians 12:10 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. '
Summary - Practical Lessons
God is more concerned with the spiritual needs of believers than with their physical needs.
This does not mean we ignore the body and live as we please
Our body is temple for God. It’s used for his purpose to accomplish his objectives in the world.
God knows how to balance burdens and blessings, sufferings and glory.
Life is like a prescription: while individual ingredients might cause discomfort, when properly combined, they ultimately benefit us. God know how to mix and match to benefit us.
Not all sickness is caused by Sin - There are times when God permits Satan to afflict us so that God might accomplish a great purpose in our lives
God views sin as more serious than sickness. Among all sins, pride is the worst of all.
Physical affliction does not have to hinder effective Christian service.
We often tend to pamper ourselves and use every ache or pain as an excuse to stay home from church or to do ministry for God
Paul did not permit the thorn in flesh to become a stumbling block. He used that as a stepping stone.
We can always find comfort in God’s word, which offers encouragement during times of trials and sufferings.
Amen