Paradox derives from an ancient Greek word, paradoxon, that meant “contrary opinion.” The Bible contains many paradoxes: The last shall be first, we receive by giving, we live by dying, and more. One of the most practical paradoxes in Scripture is that when we are weak, we are strong. The apostle Paul stated as much in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 when he found himself in a situation of weakness. He discovered that his own weakness allowed the strength of Christ to be manifested in his life more clearly.      

It is almost paradoxical that the church in Asia Minor that Christ commended for its faithfulness was also a church that had “little strength”—the church in Philadelphia. The church was being persecuted by the Jewish community and was in a place of human weakness as a result. And yet Christ commended them for keeping His Word and not denying His Name. They demonstrated that it is possible, when humanly weak, to be spiritually strong.

If you find yourself in a place of weakness today, meditate on Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12 and ask God to manifest His strength in your weakness.

I cannot go deeper into weakness than Jesus went.
John Hindley