Power through Weakness: Paul's Understanding of the Christian Ministry in 2 Corinthians

by Timothy B. Savage

This work makes sense of the apostle Paul's paradoxical description of his ministry in 2 Corinthians: "When I am weak, then I am strong!" In an extensive inquiry into the thought-world of Roman Corinth, Savage demonstrates that the Corinthians are evaluating Paul according to the social standards of their day. Since this is the exact antithesis of his own perspective, Paul can only resort to paradox by way of defense.

Genres: Theology

268 pages, Hardcover

First published November 2, 1995

About the author

Tim Savage (PhD, University of Cambridge; ThM, Dallas Theological Seminary) is a pastor, author, international conference speaker, and founding council member of the Gospel Coalition. He has served in churches in Arizona, Great Britain, and Texas. He is married to Lesli and they have two adult sons, Matthew and Jonathan. Tim is the author of No Ordinary Marriage.

His father is William C. Savage.

Reviews

[Samuel G. Parkison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second time working through this book. In preparation for a series through 2 Corinthians we are about to begin, and a paper on 2 Corinthians I am writing, I worked through this work slowly and carefully and it was rewarding to say the least. “Power Through Weakness” is perhaps the most important book I’ve ever read on the framework for Christian ministry, especially as a minister in today’s climate. Working through the first half of this book (Savage’s outline of Corinthian culture in the first century) was eery; I can scarcely think of a more similar cultural mood than this one. In a world that obsesses over self-care, self-exaltation and self-worship, the message of downward mobility in 2 Corinthians speaks (offends) loud and clear. The glory of Christ and his divine power are invisible to those who boast of themselves, you have to get low to see it.

[Michael Abraham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended by Dr. Tomlinson as one of his favorite books. Dr. Savage does a phenomenal job with 2 Corinthians.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't a book in a normal sense. It is more of a college thesis or more of a PHD dissertation paper. This book talks about 1st and 2nd Corinthians in terms of Paul's writings on weakness. It talks about critics of Paul talking about his weakness and the idea of how he talks, his overall frail demeanor, which was not in line with how they felt a minister of God should act or appear. In order to make their argument, they start talking about the city of Corinth, it's culture, and how it was an epicenter of trade, and that they were a very, very proud people; they liked to boast about everything they had. Corinth was a beautiful city. There wasn't a lot of room for movement, up or down, in society. However, you could do very well in whatever class you were born into, and people took the opportunity to boast, no matter their class. Basically, the argument moves on from there to talk about Paul's response to his critics; the idea of boasting in his weaknesses. To avoid a really long review, the text gives a lengthy interpretation of Paul's argument along with the historical setting in which he was living, and argues that he did what he did and argued the way he did against what he saw as a belief system on the Corinthians' part that was ungodly, so-to-speak.

I felt this was a very, very well-written argument. It was clear. It gave Biblical support for everything it said, and things that weren't based on the Bible, it did give strong historical support for. This is a great book for someone who wants to learn more about Christian ministry as it pertains to 1st and 2nd Corinthians. However, this is another book that is not meant for everybody, but for a Pastor. It has a lot of Greek writing in it that does not translate. You'd need your Bible to cross reference verses. Overall, though, it is easy to understand. Its argument and points are clear throughout the book, and is brought together very well by its conclusion. Thoroughly enjoyed the book. I give it 5 stars.

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent exegetical analysis of Paul's 2 Corinthians. It begins with an in-depth description of the various social values and norms in the Graeco-Roman world, and then how these values were particularly present in Corinth. Corinth was a society that worshipped the ego and its exaltation. Oration, boasting, wealth, and power were the currencies that led to greatness. The rich and great performed extravagant displays of wealth, because as Plutarch said, "Most people think that to be deprived of the chance to display wealth is to be deprived of the wealth itself."

In this environment, enters the Apostle Paul, small and humble in his meekness. Through an analysis of his letter, Thomas Savage makes an argument for the identities of Paul's opponents and describes the complaints that the Church at Corinth laid at Paul's feet. Chief among these complaints was his lack of boasting, subpar oratory skills, and his refusal to accept their money. These qualities led the Corinthians to doubt Paul's ministry and even his position as an Apostle. How could one so weak and disgraced as Paul possibly be a servant of the Glorious Christ? 

Paul counters the Corinthian 'wisdom of the age' with the 'wisdom of God'. He describes his ministry as a glory that cannot be witnessed by the eyes but must be felt with the heart. In identifying with a Messiah killed in the most repugnant way possible in the ancient world, Paul had been radically humbled, emptied of his ego, and reduced to a faithful servant. And in this occurrence, Paul discovered that it is in this weakness that the power of God manifests. In his suffering, Paul found glory and was able to carry out the work of God. He describes this truth in paradoxical and counter-cultural terms, making multiple references to Isaiah in the LXX, which Savage expands on to great clarification.  

Overall it is a fantastic book to better understand Pauline literature.

[Jim Gulley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a scholarly investigation of the Apostle Paul’s paradoxical teaching in II Corinthians that in the Christian life power comes through weakness. Dr. Savage includes a compelling historical understanding of the culture of Corinth and the Roman world at the time of the letter’s writing. He painstakingly exegetes the key passages in II Corinthians and correlates Paul’s writing with the sacred literature of the Septuagint Old Testament to glean relevant insights into the translations. He pieces these findings together to present his persuasive argument.
The book is supported by an extensive bibliography, scholarly exegesis of ancient Greek texts, and a clear and concise prose that helps an esoteric topic become more understandable. The book is, though, quite scholarly and makes frequent reference to Greek words and grammar that is sometimes difficult to follow.
Savage concludes that the thrust of Paul’s letter is that Christ’s glory is only manifested when our glory is diminished by weakness. The Roman and Corinthian cultures of the day were dominated by boasting and self-aggrandizement, Paul is admonishing these behaviors and exalting in his own humility. True power is that which comes from God, not from man.
Dr. Savage is formerly the Senior Minister of Camelback Bible Church in Paradise Valley, Arizona. He received is PhD in Biblical Studies from Cambridge University. He and his wife, Lesli, are currently living in the UK and are involved in Christian ministry.

[John Hayward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Savage’s “Power Through Weakness: Paul’s understanding of the Christian ministry in 2 Corinthians” begins as though it is describing the plight of modern society: “The hellenistic age was marked by the decline of the city-state with its close-knit social bonds and by the rise of individualism. No longer was corporate solidarity the ideal. Instead people cultivated a rigorous self-sufficiency (autarkeia). Philosophers stressed human autonomy and ethicists called for individual initiative. Consequently, people began to focus on themselves and in particular on cultivating their self-worth. For many, self-appreciation became the goal and self-glorification the reward.”
I was struck by the ancient Greek literature cited that exhorts street orators to ‘have impudence and boldness and learn how to abuse people properly’, with its obvious relevance for properly understanding the insults of John the Baptist aimed at his audience (Lk 3:7ff).
Also thought the quotation of Josephus’ description of the mass crucifixion of Jews under general Varus in 4 BC a helpful context for better understanding the scandal of the cross of the Messiah.
The Pauline example of “the likeness of Jesus Christ, a likeness which…comes to expression pre-eminently in life-giving service” stands as a challenge and encouragement for us all to ensure that our behaviour “embodies the message [we are] proclaiming”; knowing that “It is in being conformed to the death of Christ that one takes on the divine likeness, the image of the new Adam and the true Man, and so discovers what it means to be truly human.”

[Werner Fourie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Savage paints a clear picture of the genius of Paul in his writings to the Corinthians. He masterfully shows how Paul combatted the Corinthian culture in his letter. I recommend this book to any serious Bible scholar.