What GOD’s Sufficiency Means to the Person Who is Submitted to His Will
In the words of Paul, the Scriptures tell us “Boasting is necessary, though it is not beneficial; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ, who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, GOD knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3 and I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, GOD knows 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. 5 On behalf of such a man I will boast; but in my own behalf I will not boast, except regarding my weaknesses. 6 for if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.”
ADDED CONSIDERATION: Take this same section (verses 7-10) and insert Yeshua in the place of Paul. While you are at it, consider that this depiction of the anguish of Jesus would be while He is in the Garden of Getsemani. He too wanted this situation to pass, but the Father’s will was for His Son to endure and complete the Mission.
The interesting thing is that Paul’s struggle may have been there with him for a short time. It is very likely Yeshua knew of this DAY since BEFORE He started His journey of faithful obedience. He knew He was born to die.
I am not saying this as fact, just something to consider. …especially, when you and I have and have had our own struggles to endure through our times of wanting to give up and quit.
7 “Because of the extraordinary greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of HaSatan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 and He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, on behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
“We all want to go to heaven, but no one wants to die to get there” is the old saying. How many people have you seen on TV or have lucrative music deals or maybe served at a church that has hundreds or thousands or more. There are and have been people given a spiritual gift or (3) who have taken what GOD’s Spirit allows and turned it all into a business? Maybe he or she has forgotten where that gift comes from and has focused all the accolades on “me”, “myself” and “I”.
NOTE: Simony is the act of selling church offices and roles or sacred things. It is named after Simon Magus, who is described in the Acts of the Apostles as having offered two disciples of Jesus payment in exchange for their empowering him to impart the Power of the Holy Spirit to anyone on whom he would place his hands. The term extends to other forms of trafficking for money in spiritual things.
If we are paying attention, Paul was being used mightily, and he was keenly aware that he was set apart to do things and see things none (humans) before him had accomplished.
Yes. He was checking himself. Maybe, just maybe, the Holy Spirit was checking him as well. Paul, like us all, REQUIRED to be humbled and reminded that we are human and are sinful creatures. We need something to keep us on the ground, lest we float away from the BIG AIR-FILLED head we will get. Paul recognized the “buffeting” he was getting via the “thorn in his flesh”
In context the thorn in the flesh in was given to prevent pride from ruling because Paul was allowed to see revelations. Paul was given a “thorn in the flesh.” Does it matter what type of issue it was. No. Do I want to know? …kinda. There has been MUCH debate whether this was a physical ailment, spiritual struggle, or opposition, but its purpose was clear: to keep him humble.
Ultimately, the thorn symbolizes the trials and tribulations that test one's faith and strength reminding believers of the importance of reliance on GOD's kindness, pity and mercy in the face of adversity.
Nothing is placed in Scripture for ZERO reason, so…. Let’s say the spiritual lesson is supposed to teach “that suffering and limitation are not signs of GOD’s absence but opportunities for His Presence and Strength to be displayed.
How did we get here? Every person the LORD wants to specifically use and specifically woven into the fabric of society has been given specific abilities, talents and gifts. All of these attributes are to be recognized and used to glorify the LORD.
Consider the proliferation of the world coming to know the LORD. It started years ago with the sons of Noah. Everyone came from them. You have Joseph, who impacted the world, because of the “seed” was lacking. Fruit and nuts were available. Why was there a famine?
Consider the mixed multitude of the same folks (Egyptians as well) who departed Egypt with Moses.
Consider when Jesus told the talmidim to take the Word He taught them and expose the Nations to Them. Oh, tell (overwhelm, introduce and immerse) the nations about the Elohim of Israel, the Son of Elohim and the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit).
Here comes Paul, not too many years later. His history, upbringings and preparation initially prepared him for the Damascus road transformation and “the (3) years of blindness” in Arabia.
Before the transformational “get right” years, Paul (Saul of Tarsus) was a Pharisee, zealous for the Law of GOD and a persecutor of nay one of his countrymen who trusted and followed the heretical Messiah. He was educated under Gamaliel and deeply rooted in not only the Word of GOD He gave Moses, but the Prophets, Writings and traditions spread throughout the Sanhedrin and religious leaderships (traditions).
Why was his conversion a big deal? Well… Paul encountered the risen Christ in a blinding vision. This moment modified his thinking from persecutor to servant. He had some training to undergo.
He went from defending the Law (Words of GOD), to rejecting the Giver of the same Word. He did not have the whole picture and understanding. After the (3) years in Arabia, he could proclaim and explain Kindness, Pity and Mercy (grace) about the foretold plan of the Father. Where was he going? He was sent to the nations (gentiles).
Why was his mission different? His training and understanding learned over time, he was able to go outside of Israel and speak to the gentiles, as he knew how to speak more than one language. Paul became the “apostle to the gentiles,” bearing Christ’s name before kings, Israel, and the nations (Acts 9:15). His writings emphasize faith in the Messiah he now knew and understood, and telling all about Living Law, Who takes away the sins of every man and woman, by faith in Him.
He knew how GOOD the Law was, it taught him everything he knew, but Jesus opened his eyes and mind to the parts of the Law and Prophets that pointed to Him, AND the revelation that was to come, according to 2 Corinthians 12:1-10.
The “big deal” of “My grace is sufficient for you” redefines the strength we draw from. Instead of removing our weakness or our suffering, GOD promises that He will sustain us in Ways that will transform our feebleness into the very place His Power is revealed.
REMINDER: If we serve the LORD, we will all have “A Place of Crushing”
It seems that Paul’s “thorn” was a continual affliction that pressed him down, humbling him and keeping him dependent on GOD, rather than what GOD’s Spirit worked through him.
Yeshua’s (3) conversations in Gethsemane were deeply impactful, if we allow them to lead us through our own wilderness, pressing and pain. The olive press imagery is striking—just as olives are crushed to release oil, Yeshua was “pressed” under the weight of sorrow, sweating drops of blood, preparing to release the Spirit’s anointing through His obedience.
GOD’s Kindness, Pity and Mercy (grace) were evident in them and in you and I.
REMINDER: In His human weakness, our Lord surrendered fully, and through that surrender, He became strong to face the cross, bringing opportunity of His Salvation for the entirety of the world.
Here are a few examples the exchange of HUMILTY over PRIDE…
As the Scriptures share, Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” kept him humble despite heavenly visions, etc. Pride would have led to self-exaltation; humility opened him to GOD’s Power.
Yeshua’s Example referenced in Philippians 2:5–8, should keep us thinking on what He wants us to do, not how pretty we look while doing it. Jesus Himself, though equal with GOD, He humbled Himself, taking the form of a servant, even to death on a cross. His humility became the path to the execution stake and His exaltation.
The Bible talks about the importance of not only obtaining Wisdom but putting it to use. Per Proverbs 16:18, the lack of employing Wisdom will lead us towards the age-old truth in tradition, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
The concept of "sufficient" is expressed by different words in Hebrew and Aramaic, with nuances depending on the context.
Dai: This word means "enough," "sufficient," or "adequate". It is an older, biblical Hebrew word often used in formal or religious contexts.
Maspiq: This is the more common word in modern Hebrew for "sufficient" or "enough". It comes from the root s-p-q, which relates to "supply" or "sufficiency".
Another significant Hebrew term is found in the name for GOD, El Shaddai, which is often translated as "GOD Almighty" or "The All-Sufficient One," meaning "more than enough" for all needs.
The "Shaddai" part of the name is interpreted by some traditions as deriving from she- (who) and dai (enough), literally "He who is sufficient" or "He who said 'Enough' to His world" (referring to God stopping the creation process).
In Aramaic, especially in Biblical or New Testament contexts, the word for "sufficient" is saphaq or sephaq.
Saphaq: This word means "to have enough," "to be sufficient," or "to satisfy". In a specific theological interpretation, the Aramaic root saphaq has a rich, metaphorical meaning related to "grafting" a branch onto a nourishing tree or the training of a horse, suggesting that God's grace, through weakness, provides all the necessary nourishment and training to bear fruit or perform a given task.
Both Hebrew and Aramaic use different words to convey the idea of "sufficiency," reflecting the depth and nuance of these ancient languages, particularly in philosophical or theological discussions.