So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.
I was talking to a dear friend today and during our discussion, this verse happened to come into conversation. We both agreed that it was powerful how Paul words the verse in a way that God had “given” him a thorn in the flesh. Not cursed upon him, not burdened him, but “given” him. Many years before Paul started to write his epistle to the Corinthian church, he had a spiritual experience that leaves the rest of us breathless. Before beginning his ministry and missionary journeys, Paul was caught up into heaven and saw unspeakable things about which he was commanded not to speak. In various letters, he confirms that, “eye has not seen…ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the imagination of man, the wonderful things that God has prepared for those that love Him.” No wonder Paul was able to confirm that, “our light, momentary troubles, are achieving for us an eternal weight of glory.” However, God knew the incredible privileges which had been granted to this apostle to the Gentiles, were something that could cause Paul to become proud and arrogant. It could make him consider that he was more important than other believers. And so, Paul explains that because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations he received from God, and to prevent him from becoming proud…God “gave” him a, “thorn in the flesh.” A ‘thorn in the flesh’ is some sort of infirmity. It is a problem or a difficulty an individual may have in their life, which inhibits them in certain ways. God knew that Paul could have a tendency to become proud because of the amazing revelations he had received from God…and to prevent this from happening, he was given an infirmity…’a thorn in the flesh’. We do not know what Paul’s ‘thorn in the flesh’ was, but he referred to it as ‘a messenger from Satan’ which was designed to torment him. However, he further explained that his ‘thorn in the flesh’ was necessary…to keep him from exalting himself, and becoming proud. Like all of us, Paul needed a constant reminder of his own weakness. This tormenting thorn magnified Paul’s own impotence and human helplessness, when compared with the greatness and majesty of our gracious God and Father. The hindrance Paul had in his life, was designed by God to make his ministry even more effective. Whether we have a specific ‘thorn in the flesh’ or whether we are simply encompassed about by the difficulties and dangers of normal life, and the grace and strength that Paul received throughout his ministry is the same grace and strength which is freely available to all who have been saved, by grace through faith in Christ. May we seek to walk in spirit and truth and to live godly lives in Christ Jesus. And no matter what difficulties, dangers, or ‘thorns’ we may encounter as we journey through life, may we do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before our God so that our lives may be a living sacrifice to Him, and a faithful testament of His sufficient grace.
Spiritual Steve 