Paul mentions a man who received such a powerful vision of God that he actually experienced Paradise. This would seem to be exactly the experience the super-apostles in verse 11 would look to as evidence of true apostleship. And such visions would confirm Paul’s apostleship to the Corinthians who are looking for miracles and power. While scholars believe that Paul is actually the man in the story he narrates, Paul chooses to boast only about his weakness.
Why does Paul boast about weakness? His experience with his “thorn” in the flesh, given to humble him, teaches him much about God’s power and what is worth boasting about. Christians have long debated what Paul’s thorn is: a physical disability, chronic condition, or some kind of addiction. Paul’s brief but vivid description of this weakness includes a feeling of being tormented. People who struggle with many kinds of physical or relational limitations identify with Paul’s situation.
Paul asks God three times to remove this thorn. God’s response to Paul includes two components. The first part of the answer is God’s grace, which God says is sufficient—enough. The second portion of God’s response to Paul juxtaposes power and weakness. Power in light of the Christian gospel is somehow—mysteriously and wondrously—perfected in everyday weakness. Jesus on the cross is the quintessential model of this unexpected and baffling juxtaposition, and Paul says he boasts in his weakness because he is eager to know God’s true power. Paul offers a provocative view of power: True power for everyday living comes in our weakness because God transforms our weakness into strength.