Paul continues his peculiar boasting. Most boast of strength, beauty, intelligence, skill, and wealth. Paul’s boasting is peculiar because he only mentions weakness. (30) Why? His weakness glorifies the superabundant strength of the God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever and ever. (31)
Paul mentions one example from his far past, perhaps the first since his encounter with Christ Jesus. It was after he was traveling to Damascus and came to faith in Jesus. Acts 9:19b-25 and Galatians 1:11-18 also record the event. Paul remained in Damascus after meeting Jesus until he had strength. Then he went into the Arabian Desert to learn from Jesus and later returned to Damascus. Paul preached in the synagogue, proving that Jesus is the Christ, baffling the Jews. The Jews conspired to kill him, persuading King Aretas to have the city of the Damascenes guarded to arrest Paul. He escaped by being lowered in a basket from a window in the wall and slipped through their hands. Paul’s weakness reveals God’s superabundant strength.
So today and every day I can review my weaknesses and discover God’s superabundant strength. How am I, or was I, in a situation where every exit to the city is death? I’m trapped. Then God provided a window and a basket so I could escape. Surely I can boast of my weaknesses and God’s superabundant strength in deliverance.
