2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (AMP VERSION).
7 Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, 8 Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me; 9 but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. 10 So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength] (2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (AMP).
- Some form of spiritual harassment, e.g. the limitations of a nature corrupted by sin, the torments of temptation, or oppression by a demon;
- Persecution, e.g. that instigated by Jewish opposition or by Paul’s Christian opponents;
- Some physical or mental ailment, e.g. eye trouble, attacks of fever, stammering speech, epilepsy, or a neurological disturbance.
- Saving Grace- (Ephesians 2:8 NLT) “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”
- Sustaining Grace – (Jeremiah 32:36-42 NKJV) 36 “Now, therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning this city of which you say, ‘It shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: 37 Behold, I will gather them out of all countries where I have driven them in My anger, in My fury, and in great wrath; I will bring them back to this place, and I will cause them to dwell safely. 38 They shall be My people, and I will be their God; 39 then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever, for the good of them and their children after them.” ( Psalm 3:5 NKJV) “I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the Lord sustained me.”
- Surpassing Grace – 2 Corinthians 9:14,
- Abundant Grace – (1 Timothy 1:13-15 NKJV) 13 “although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”
- Enduring Grace – (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NKJV) 9 “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
1. It is Christ’s own Grace which manifested in His Self-sacrifice – (2 Corinthians 8:9) 9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.”
2. It is Christ’s own Grace which serves as our Source of Strength – (2 Timothy 2:1) 2 “You, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
3. It is Christ’s own Grace which is sufficient for all human needs – (2 Corinthians 12:9) “9 but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.”