GRACE IN HUMAN WEAKNESS: A THEOLOGICAL STUDY OF 2 CORINTHIANS 12:7–10
Keywords:
2 Corinthians 12, grace and weakness, thorn in the flesh, apostolic authority, theological exegesisAbstract
This study offers a theological exegesis of 2 Corinthians 12:7–10, addressing the persistent ambiguity surrounding the "thorn in the flesh" and the frequent domestication of Paul's paradoxical conclusion, "when I am weak, then I am strong." Employing narrative-rhetorical criticism integrated with theological hermeneutics, the analysis examines the grammatical features, rhetorical function within Paul's defense of apostleship, and the theological dialectic between grace, power, and weakness. The findings demonstrate that the passage functions not as mere autobiographical consolation but as a paradigmatic argument redefining apostolic authority and divine power. The study critiques both prosperity-oriented readings that promise deliverance from affliction and passive theologies that romanticize suffering. The novelty lies in proposing the Grace-Weakness Dialectic Framework, a contextual model positioning divine grace not as compensation for frailty but as the medium through which God's power is manifested and apostolic identity constituted. This framework offers a hermeneutical lens for empowered vulnerability, with direct implications for pastoral practice, spiritual formation, and Christian leadership. The contribution addresses gaps in existing scholarship by integrating grammatical, rhetorical, and theological analyses, moving beyond individualistic readings to establish the passage as foundational for a theology of suffering and grace in contemporary ministry contexts.
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