An Unusual Resume

“If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” 

“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 11:30; 12:10 ESV).

When interviewing candidates for a position, the process typically begins with reviewing resumes. Over time, you become accustomed to looking for standard details such as contact information, personal aspirations, perceived contributions to the company, work experience, education, skill sets, and accomplishments. 

However, you don’t expect to see the candidate “boasting” of their weaknesses! 

Our society encourages us to present themselves as capable, reliable, and confident—traits that are often admired and deemed worthy of hiring. Even when candidates are asked in an interview setting to identify a few of their “weaknesses,” they often acknowledge a few shortcomings before quickly shifting the conversation back to their strengths. 

The Apostle Paul doesn’t! He takes a different approach.

He challenges the standards of the Corinthians and false apostles, who emphasized power and prestige, by highlighting his sufferings—hardly appealing to those who glorify strength.  

Paul’s resume “boasts in the things that show his weakness.” To “boast” is “to express an unusually high degree of confidence in someone or something being exceptionally noteworthy.”^⁠1 Paul demonstrates great confidence that his struggles serve as instruments of blessing, fostering his dependence on Christ. 

It’s important to differentiate between weakness and weariness. Weakness refers to a lack of strength or power—whether physical, emotional, or mental. 

On the other hand, weariness refers to fatigue or exhaustion caused by prolonged effort or stress. While weakness implies an inability to perform specific tasks, weariness indicates a depletion of energy, often alleviated by rest. However, extended periods of weariness can erode one’s self-reliant facade over time.

Paul argues that revealing our weakness ultimately benefits us. 

Paul’s affliction (2 Cor. 12:7b-9) constantly reminded him of his weakness. Although the nature of his specific suffering remains unclear, Paul learned that “divine power is best displayed against the backdrop of human weaknesses.^⁠2”  

Instead of removing Paul’s weakness, God provided him with grace amidst his struggles, preventing him from being conceited (v. 7). 

God’s power shines brightest during our moments of personal weakness and weariness!

I want to update my resume to include a more honest acknowledgement of my weaknesses. My powerlessness can become a catalyst for me—and others—to discover God’s power. 

“For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV [Emphasis mine]).

¹ Johannes P. Louw and Eugene Albert Nida, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains (New York: United Bible Societies, 1996), 430.

² David K. Lowery, “2 Corinthians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 583.