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how does paul's experience here compare with moses' plea for god to remove his stutter?

Adds the setting and its conversation across both testaments.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

“Lest I should be exalted above measure through the exceeding greatness of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, lest I should be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing, I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me. Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

The apostle Paul is defending his ministry to the Corinthian believers, who are questioning his authority and apostleship. He recounts an extraordinary spiritual experience but then immediately shifts to a mysterious affliction, his 'thorn in the flesh,' which he sees as a divine counterbalance to prevent pride.

What does Paul's embrace of weakness, when God could have removed it, suggest about how we might approach our own limitations or perceived shortcomings?

Then — the setting

Paul wrote this letter around 55-56 AD from Macedonia, addressing a diverse community in Corinth, a major Roman port city known for its wealth and diverse religious practices. Some within the Corinthian church were questioning Paul's authority, comparing him unfavorably to other, more eloquent or impressive teachers. In this context, Paul's discussion of his 'thorn in the flesh' is not a private lament but a public declaration that his perceived weakness is, in fact, a conduit for divine power, bolstering his apostolic credentials rather than undermining them.

Across the Testaments

In the Old Testament, Moses' plea to God to remove his stutter (or 'slow of speech and slow of tongue') in Exodus 4:10-12 presents a similar situation of a chosen leader feeling inadequate due to a personal limitation. However, the outcomes differ: God directly addresses Moses' concern by promising to be 'with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.' Here, God promises to *overcome* Moses' limitation. In contrast, for Paul, God does *not* remove the 'thorn' but instead declares 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' The Old Testament often shows God equipping individuals by removing or compensating for their deficiencies, while the New Testament, especially through Paul, emphasizes God's power *manifesting through* existing human weakness. Both demonstrate God's ability to use imperfect people, but with different approaches to the 'imperfection' itself.

Keep thinking

Read alongside it

Exodus 4:10-12
Moses tries to excuse himself from leading Israel, citing his difficulty with speaking, but God promises to be with his mouth.
Romans 8:26
Paul speaks of the Spirit helping us in our weakness when we don't know how to pray.
Philippians 4:13
Paul states he can do all things through Christ who strengthens him, balancing reliance on divine power with personal effort.

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