As Paul is forced to recommend his own ministry over against 'super-apostles' who boast in their own ability, he does so by pointing to the power of Christ, which shows itself in the weakness of his life and weakness. So he shows us a pattern of true greatness and humility and a pattern of Christian discipleship and ministry which imitates Christ himself.

Elizabeth encourages those of us who are conscious of increasing physical frailty to remember that God renews us by his Spirit in our inner person and will one day raise us in a new decay-free body. The multiple losses that we experience with age can lead us to a fresh dependence on God. Sufferings and weakness we experience in this life will be outweighed by 'a weight of glory' when we are fully at home, fully accepted and fully welcome with Christ and other believers in the newly restored heaven and earth

Jesus teaches that we can only receive his kingdom if we adopt the humble dependence of a small child, and that life within the community of God’s people should be characterised by humble service of others.