I'm not a christian, but my dad is and he was pointing out some significant quotes from the bible. One of them caught my eye. "In [total] weakness is my strength made perfect" Could someone please explain this quote a bit? I've been dwelling on this one thought all day and couldn't figure it out! Thanks Peace
Im no theologian but that verse is one of several with the same 'idea'. (Im thinking of 'The Meek shall inherit the earth' and a few others) Against the background the wider teachings of Christ - we see mans real problem being his own 'pride'. This is not like 'workmanship pride' but more like that kind of pride Adam had when he decided that he 'knew better' and was going to do 'his own thing'. That theme of mans 'Selfishness' and 'Self infatuation' seems to run throughout all the Judeo Christians teachings. Christ has this other option (which he says will cure mankind of this 'me' attitude) Jesus seems to want to 'Replace' the human spirit with His own Spirit. Now.. Im not claiming to make a once-and-for-all dogmatic conclusion here, but this scripture seems to fit right in there. Have you ever noticed that when you are 'on top' and you feel great physically, you have lots of money, your relationship is good and your have lots of 'stuff' that you get an attitude that 'nothing can stop me'. When your down and out, things are taken away from you and your body is weak, your emotions are lagging, ... then it really seems like the 'real you' is waiting there, unwilling to be fooled or pompous? There is when your 'Look at me Im great' pride is gone and I believe this is where God can finally get a word in edgewise and say 'Ok NOW we can commune together'. ? I dont know.. that has always been my natural understanding. Maybe someone more scholarly and insightful knows something more?
Great question! I'm only just beginning to understand this, the older I get. When I was younger, and getting (what I thought were) good ideas, I never thought I would feel like I didn't know certain things... I had a strong body and mind...this has changed... and yet, (as I became a Christian at 23)... I just thank God that He is there (true), when I get weak, and realise that some things are just too complicated to think we know. There is some basic stuff about being a Christian that He is kind enough to root in us, deep down, (for true Christians that can't be moved), but 'secondary' stuff is constantly being re-thought. All I know is He is BIG and I ain't. He is my Heavenly dad and I am a little child. (Took me long enough to relax into that)
I have to say I agree with everyone that's posted their opinion. For me, this quote is true... I was never made as strong with God as I was during my weakest moment in life, when I thought everything had been stripped away, and it was just me and only me...
I think it's refering to the fact that strength can mean weakness. If someone were to have challenge you to a fight. And you declined because you're passive. Everyone in the school calls you a pussy and says you're weak. However you know that you're the strongest one by not fighting.
hello Tom, do you believe that we are God then, as the poster above does.. or do you believe that Jesus is God in the flesh? Just trying to get to know where you are coming from.. Hope that's ok. Please don't answer if you don't want to...
Maybe when you're ego has weakened enough, suffering is no longer unpleasant. who knows, i'm not at that level of perception, that level of purity, yet.
You only know how strong you are at your weakest moments. Like, if you were in a haunted house, you might be really scared at the time, but after you get out, you know you did it. You faced your fears. You were weak, but now you're strong. So, in other words, it's important to do things that scare us, and things that are difficult for us. Everything gets easier the longer you do it.
The passage is from 2 Corinthians 12:9. "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." The Greek word that means both "weaknesses" and "infirmities" here is ἀσθενείας (astheneia), which in medical terminology means debility or loss of strength. Paul talks here about the "thorn in the flesh"--some kind of infirmity or failing that may be a bothersome temptation, bad habit, or physical condition of some kind, which Bible scholars have speculated could be anything from bad eyesight to malaria to epilepsy to impure thoughts. Bishop Spong even thought it might have been an inclination toward homosexuality. Or it may refer to external events or people who were bugging him. He says earlier in 2nd Corinthians 11:25 that "Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep." God may have given him these challenges to toughen him up and keep him humble. Anyhow Paul asked to be rid of it, but instead God told him His grace would take care of it. This may tie into Paul's doctrine of justification by faith alone, not by works. We're all sinners, and our own efforts can never make us justified before God, but our faith in Jesus and His sacrifice can take care of it. This "thorn" was given him so that he wouldn't be proud or arrogant in his own eyes, but would remain meek and humble." I'm also reminded of the paradoxical opening statement in Scott Peck's The Road Less Travelled.: "Once we truly know that life is difficult--once we truly understand and accept it--then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters." At least that's my take.
