Weak and Offended 2 Corinthians 11:28

Paul the apostle told the church members in Corinth about difficulties he faced as he shared the gospel of Jesus Christ, and he added to his list, “beside those things that are without, that which comes upon me daily, the care of all the churches”. In chapter eleven and verse twenty-nine of Second Corinthians, Paul asked the church members, “who is weak...who is offended?” where we read:

Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

The verse begins, “Who is weak, and I am not weak?” Paul began with the words, “who is weak” which refers to “what person is feeble, without strength, needy, poor and sick”, “and I am not weak” or “and Paul was not feeble, without strength, needy, poor or sick”? Paul questioned the church members about whether they thought cold not identify with people who were in a “weakened” position.

The verse continues, “who is offended, and I burn not?” Paul added the words, “who is offended” which means “what person is like one who has a stumbling block or impediment in the way upon which another may trip and fall”, “and I burn not” or “and Paul not set on fire, kindled, incensed and indignant”. Paul questioned whether there was anyone who was “a stumbling block” so that “others would trip and fall” and Paul not be “incensed” about it.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we see how he related to people who were “feeble and without strength” as well as those who were “stumbled” by others. The gospel was free to everyone, and when people were discovered who were “feeble” or “stumbled” because of conditions or others, Paul related to them. Jesus Christ desires to have a relationship with all who will believe in and receive Him as Savior and Lord, and if a person is “needy, poor, sick or stumbled”, we should seek to identify with them and help them come to know Jesus as He really is.

Next time Paul tells the church members, “I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities” and more, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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