The strength of weakness

Whether wallow on how we fall short of the impossible standards we believe we should be able to maintain, or revel in how we rise above others through our own strength, pride hurts. It drains. It hurts others and breaks relationships. There is an alternative, a better way, the only way. When we embrace our weakness and rely on God’s strength and then labour in the freedom of trusting that God will not fail, extraordinary things happen. This is true for the Church, which is God’s chosen instrument to display His awesome power, wisdom and grace, not ours.

Scripture

Ephesians 3:7-10 ESV Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power. 8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

Bible Study Questions

Appointed and Equipped by God for the Gospel

The Gospel shows us how a gracious loving God can be perfectly just and righteous. Who created Paul to preach the Gospel and who gave him the power to preach it?

Ephesians 3:7-10 ESV Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power.

Psalms 116:5-9 ESV Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; our God is merciful. 6 The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, he saved me. 7 Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you. 8 For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; 9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 ESV because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

Weakness Empowered to reach the weak

Paul realised that he wasn’t given this wonderful honour because he earned it with effort or ability. Why were the gentiles a surprising choice for God to single out for attention through someone like Paul?

Ephesians 3:8 ESV To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

1 Corinthians 15:9 ESV For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Acts 9:15 ESV But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

Romans 2:3-4 ESV Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Appointed, Equipped and Empowered for God’s Glory

God’s power is evident from the fact that He created all things. Paul was chosen and empowered to bring light to a mystery that nobody had known before except God. Why did God reveal this mystery?

Ephesians 3:9 ESV and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things,

Romans 16:25-27 ESV Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Colossians 1:16 ESV For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

The Church is God’s Wisdom

The wisdom of God is displayed through the Church. The wonderful way in which the gracious God who is perfectly righteous saved us, also makes us one Church together with Jews and Gentiles. Who is God teaching about His wisdom by displaying it through the Church?

Ephesians 3:10 ESV so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

Thinking well of weakness

What is Paul’s attitude to physical, spiritual, emotional and other weaknesses that afflict him?

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ESV 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.

Committed by God’s Power

Does embracing our own weakness mean that we sit around waiting for God to do the work, or do we need to commit ourselves to serving Him with all our hearts?

1 Corinthians 15:9-10 ESV For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

Jesus Christ’s ultimate Example

How did Jesus use perceived weakness to achieve the greatest and most powerful victory in all history?

Luke 23:35 ESV And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!”

Luke 4:3-4 ESV The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” 4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’”

Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.