Dari Paha Yakub ke Duri Paulus: Kelemahan dan Kekuatan dalam Teologi Alkitabiah
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47167/t9kss294Keywords:
Jacob, Paul, strength, suffering, weaknessAbstract
This article examined how human weakness became a space for manifesting divine power through a comparative study of Jacob's experience at Pniel (Genesis 32:25–32) and Paul's thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7–10). The study addressed the problem of how suffering shaped identity and functioned as a means of revealing God's power. It aimed to explore the theological significance of these experiences in light of the Hebrew concept of shamar (?????? nurturing/thorns). The methods used included linguistic, historical-cultural, and typological-canonical approaches. The study shows that weakness is not a barrier but a vessel of grace. In the cases of Jacob and Paul, suffering leads to a transformation of identity and empowerment for ministry. The study concludes that, in the biblical tradition, human weakness is often God's way of forming, preserving, and fully revealing Himself in the lives of His people.
Artikel ini membahas bagaimana kelemahan manusia menjadi ruang bagi manifestasi kekuatan ilah. Melalui studi komparatif terhadap pengalaman Yakub di Pniel (Kejadian 32:25–32) dan duri dalam daging Paulus (2 Korintus 12:7–10). Permasalahan yang diangkat adalah bagaimana penderitaan membentuk identitas dan menjadi sarana pewahyuan kuasa Allah. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah mengkaji makna teologis dari pengalaman tersebut dalam terang konsep Ibrani ?????? shamar (memelihara/duri). Metode yang digunakan adalah pendekatan linguistik, historis-kultural, dan tipologis-kanonikal. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kelemahan bukan penghalang, tetapi justru wadah kasih karunia. Dalam kasus Yakub dan Paulus, penderitaan berujung pada transformasi identitas dan kuasa pelayanan. Kesimpulan dari studi ini adalah bahwa dalam tradisi biblika, kelemahan yang dialami manusia seringkali merupakan cara Allah membentuk, menjaga, dan menyatakan diri-Nya secara penuh dalam kehidupan umat-Nya.
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