BOASTING IN WEAKNESS

#15 in the series He Is Enough
Tim Cartwright

Key Passage: 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

The Paradox of Power in Weakness

• Paul presents a different kind of boasting—boasting in what most would hide: weakness, hardship, and vulnerability.
• This contrasts with the false apostles who exalted status and strength.

1. Tolerating Fools

“For you gladly bear with fools, being wise yourselves! For you bear it if someone makes slaves of you, or devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or strikes you in the face…” (2 Corinthians 11:19–21)

2. God’s Guidance

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…” (John 16:13) “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work…” (Philippians 2:13)

3. Leadership Check

“That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings…” (Philippians 3:10)

4. What Kind of Leader Was Jesus?

• Servant-hearted – Matthew 20:26–28
• Bold – Acts 4:13
• Loving – Matthew 9:36
• Humble – John 13:5
• Focused – John 4:34

5. Paul’s Boasting

“But whatever anyone else dares to boast of—I am speaking as a fool…” (2 Corinthians 11:21–22)

“They have commended themselves, they have boasted of their achievements…” – N.T. Wright

6. Faithful Servant

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle…” (Romans 1:1)

7. Christ’s Power in Weakness

“‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)

8. God’s Protection

“At Damascus… I was let down in a basket through a window…” (2 Corinthians 11:31–33)

“Though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.” (Psalm 37:23–24)

9. Final Reflection

“Christ was strong and he took on the weakness of humanity… for our boastful and arrogant attempt to live apart from God.” – Trent Casto

What’s your next step?

• To learn more about following Jesus or getting connected at TBC, click here.