They Only Seem to Be Weaker

“On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.”   

1 Corinthians 12:22 

The Bible makes much of weakness. It constantly drives home the point: We are weak, and God is strong. He is able, and we are not. But then we come across the very interesting wording in today’s Scripture: “Those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.”  

Did you catch that? Weak people—that is, those who suffer, who are driven to the ends of themselves, who lack mind or muscles, gifts or talents—they only seem to be weaker. Yes, on the surface, they do indeed appear frail and feeble. But wait! These are the very people who are in the best position to comprehend the limitless power of Almighty God!  

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul writes that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). So do what he did: Boast about your weakness and celebrate your limitations, for then Christ’s power rests on you. 

Oh God, I love how Your kingdom values turn earthly evaluations on their head! The high and mighty in our world, the gifted and talented, the well positioned and powerful, the “beautiful people,” have no more access to the power and purposes of God than the weakest, most unlikely, most humble of Your servants. Truly, Lord, when I am weak, I am strong.