QuickThoughts: Paul’s Thorn

The description Paul gives of his “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7) is fairly well-known. There is actually a lot to learn through just these few verses (vv. 7-10), though. Let’s take a look at each verse in turn!

📘 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!

2 Corinthians 12:7 LSB

Three key questions to seek answers to here:

1. What is the “thorn in the flesh?”
   • The thorn was “a messenger of Satan,” a demonic spirit. This was a supernatural, evil entity that had come upon Paul. Since, however, the Holy Spirit would not allow a demon to take up residence with Him in a believer, this demonic influence had to come from an outsider. Someone Paul had regular contact with was being controlled or highly influenced by this messenger of Satan.
2. Where did the “thorn in the flesh come from?”
   • The thorn was given to Paul by God Himself! Just as Satan Himself needed God’s approval (or command) in order to afflict Job (Job 1:6-12), this demonic spirit was likewise sent to Paul.
     
     And, as with Job, this demon’s mission was given by God for a specific reason and it was actually a good thing for Paul!
3. Why was the “thorn in the flesh” given to Paul?
   • The thorn was given to Paul to keep him humble, to keep him from exalting himself; it had a sanctifying effect on Paul’s heart, keeping him from sinful pride!

Though Paul knew in hindsight while writing this letter that the thorn was for his good, he still had prayed for the Lord to take it from him:

📘 Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me.

2 Corinthians 12:8 LSB

We may never know the reason for our suffering and tribulations (after all, Job was never given a reason for his nor told of the discussions between Himself and Satan), so we are well within our rights as Christians to reach out to the Father through our Savior and ask Him for help. He may grant our request or refuse, as he did with Paul. Quite often, our suffering is a necessary “evil” that is working for our good (Romans 8:28).

📘 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:9a LSB

Regardless of the trials and tribulations we face, as children of the King, we need to remember that it was ultimately sent to us by our sovereign Creator and His grace is sufficient for us to endure. Paul boasted of his weaknesses, including this “thorn,” because he knew that it served for showcase the power of Christ!

📘 Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions and hardships, for the sake of Christ, for when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9b-10 LSB

We are surrounded today by “messengers of Satan,” hurling insults, mocking and threatening us. Yet we need to be content, leaning on the Holy Spirit’s indwelling power to sustain us and guide us to perseverance.

Besides, these trials should not surprise us, as Jesus Christ Himself told us they would come and that the world would hate us because of Him:

📘 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you.”

John 15:18 LSB

Let us all be like Paul today and rejoice in the work of our Lord God, even in our suffering. His grace is sufficient!