There are people who speak to us more powerfully out of their weakness than out of their strength. Brian Piccolo was a powerful, professional football player who entertained thousands with his feats of muscular strength and stamina. But cancer attacked, and out of weakness he spoke more powerfully than before. Whenever they show the movie, Brian's Song, we think of him and his faith and courage.

Paul experienced a similar fall from glory. He had seen powerful visions of God, had entered into the third heaven to be filled with spiritual ecstasy. Nevertheless, he experienced a severe weakness, a sort of Achilles' heel, a dent in his shining armor that he called his "thorn in the flesh." What it was we do not know. Epilepsy perhaps, or semi-blindness, malaria, or uncontrollable stuttering.…