2 Corinthians 12:5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
Paul is considered an icon of humility, but that humility did not come easily, just as faith did not come easily to Abraham. Abraham did not follow a simple instruction of not taking along any kin when asked to leave his place and travel to the promised land. It was only after 25 years that Abraham separated from his nephew Lot and received his promised son.
Paul was a very learned person studying under the topmost Jewish Rabbi before his encounter with the Lord. After his encounter, the Lord enabled Paul to understand the hidden things of the Kingdom like no one else, making him the most learned Christian in his time. To keep him, Paul suffered the same problem that Moses suffered, which was a problem with his speech. Moses stammered while Paul suffered what is written as ‘rude in speech’. His communication was so bad that at times people slept through his preachings, so much so that one person fell and died while sitting at the window, hearing his speech. Paul did bring him back to life, but could not repair the damage it did to him.
Paul, an Apostle, was compared to others, including Timothy the Evangelist, his student, by the people of Corinth, which angered Paul. What tipped the cup was when they mocked him, stating his letters were strong while his in-person speech was boring.
Paul prayed to the Lord for this problem, and thrice the Lord answered, saying His grace was sufficient.
Paul did overcome his pride, and that made him an icon for humility, just as Abraham overcame and has become an icon/father for faith.
If we are struggling in an area and have reached out to God for that unsuccessfully while having all other problems sorted, then we need to understand the Lord wants us to battle with ourselves in that area and become an icon like Paul and Abraham.
[Prayer Starter]
Lord, You are Almighty God. You, Lord, created us for a purpose, and that purpose is about all. You went out of your way to make way for us to achieve our purpose. Lord, we pray that we realise that our greatest battle is not against Satan but against ourselves. We pray we realise we are called to become overcomers. Your grace is sufficient for us…
This prayer we make in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
2 Corinthians 12:4-6
4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [him].
5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
6 But though [I be] rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.
Acts 20:9-12
9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing [him] said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.
11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.
12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
2 Corinthians 10:10 For [his] letters, say they, [are] weighty and powerful; but [his] bodily presence [is] weak, and [his] speech contemptible.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Dated 21 April 2026
Bro Rollwyn