Weakness

You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. 

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.

-2 Cor 4:5-11

I used to take this from a theological perspective, but that’s not the way Paul is writing at all. In context with the larger book, Paul is speaking against the so-called apostles that preached victory all the time. There are much more ‘powerful’ preachers around him, preaching power and that they are the greatest and that people should serve them. Paul’s days were no different than ours in that respect.

In Mozambique, pastors have to hide when they are sick. It’s a sign of not having enough faith. Believers hide when their marriage has issues or their businesses are doing poorly or they are struggling not necessarily for selfish reasons but they think that their testimony is better if everything is healed and powerful. There is a faith teaching that says: declare it like it will be not, like it is; which from my perspective doesn’t always seem truthful.

“We don’t go around preaching about ourselves” - the Mozambicans would say this in the exact same way. A translation into American direct English would be “Other ‘Apostles’ spend much of their time preaching about themselves.” That happens here. I have been to many preachings where, at the root of the preaching it’s more about the pastor’s exploits than Jesus’s - of course, it’s done in Jesus’ name. Then you have me… adverse to even talking about myself.

Strangely enough, Paul criticizes this behavior here but then does the same thing - half the book of 2 Corinthians he is talking about himself and the things God has done through him. It means there is a time and a place for it; we just have to be sure of the right time and place. God, teach me the times and places where I need to talk about myself and what You have done through me.

There is also difference in the content. Paul would rather boast and connect in his weakness than boast
in his strength.  Paul admitted he was tormented by a demon constantly! Imagine a preacher today saying that in one breath and in the next saying the power of God works strongly in them. I think that is a powerful lesson for us - we should connect on our hardships and trials rather than strengths for there is no shame in going through suffering. That is where Paul is and if Paul is there, we need to be there too. Treasures in fragile clay jars.