Grant Myers - Thorn in the Flesh

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 (KJV (WS))

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

The thorn is something that affected Paul personally, individually, not as an apostle. Paul felt acute pain and shame.

May refer to Paul’s inner emotional turmoil about the churches (2:4), an ongoing sin, his opponents (like the so-called super-apostles; 11:1–5), a physical ailment (such as poor eyesight), his speaking ability (10:10), or demonic opposition (both in general or specific to him, as in 1 Thess 2:18). All of these options seem possible considering circumstances in Paul’s life.

Like in Job’s case, this “messenger of Satan” is an evil angel allowed by God to buffet Paul. This came right after Paul’s sight and hearing were blessed with heavenly “revelations”.

To “buffet” is to continually afflict and punish.

The Lord has more need of our weakness than of our strength: our strength is often His rival; our weakness, His servant, drawing on His resources, and showing forth His glory. Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity; man’s security is Satan’s opportunity. God’s way is not to take His children out of trial, but to give them strength to bear up against it (Ps 88:7; Jn 17:15).

Three Times Echoes the number of times Jesus asked the Father to keep Him from suffering on the cross (Mark 14:32–42). Paul emphasizes that he has pled his case before God and that God has chosen to allow this experience to continue. Paul believes God will use it for good.

A messenger - Since the Greek word used here is angelos, which may be translated as “angel,” this may be a reference to an evil being. It also is possible that angelos references a human opponent who caused him great pain (compare 2 Cor 2:5).

Paul was given the thorn becuse of his pride; and to show him that there is in fact divine power displayed through human weaknesses.

In verse seven, Paul is saying that God gave him the thorn in the flesh to humble him after all of the great visions that he saw.

Say something about how we don’t exactly know what buffeted Paul.

Maybe Paul did not give specific details on what his infirmities were becuase if it were something like epilepsy then subsequent generations of Christians, most of whom do not suffer from this infirmity, would dissmiss the plroblem as something that doesn’t relate to them. This can relate to everyone.

*reads the scripture*