Boasting
If he’s the worst sinner, then what am I?
===
If I must boast, I will boast about the things that show my weakness.
2 Corinthians 11:30 (NET)
===
I came across this one in my Quiet Time the other day and it stood out to me.
We usually think of boasting as a bad thing.
Putting it in the same category as sinful pride.
Yet here Paul is talking about a good way to boast.
Why?
Because he knows that God works in our weaknesses, showing off His strength. I think this is one of the more amazing witnesses about how awesome God is.
For Paul, he struggled with the infamous “thorn in the flesh,” probably health issues that he felt hurt his witness.
However, God continued to do mighty works through Paul.
I think a weakness like Paul had helped him always remember that God was doing the work and it had nothing to do with Paul’s “awesomeness.”
We know that as Paul spent more and more time serving Jesus, he grew in his humility. From calling himself the least of Israel to, eventually, calling himself the chief of sinners.
If Paul was the chief of sinners, what does that make me?
I admit, I don’t have the same humility Paul had.
I struggle to see my own failings as putting me in the category of chief of sinners.
Which, I suppose, is its own weakness that I must let Christ clean up & shine through.
Then I can boast about Jesus’ work in me.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2026 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.