What is the Thorn in the Flesh Paul Mentions?
Q: What is the “thorn in the flesh” Paul mentions—could it be Satan?
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. —2 Cor 12:7-10
Here are the facts
- The torn in the flesh was in his flesh (physical or natural things)
- The torn is called a messenger (servant, tool, instrument) of Satan, not Satan
- The torn’s assignment was to trouble Paul
- Heaven permitted the ordeal to continue and made Paul understand why
- Heaven’s purpose was to use the torn as a means to keep Paul humble so he would not puff up with pride due to the many revelations he was getting
- Paul accepted heaven’s wisdom and grace and turned the instrument Satan used in troubling him into something to be happy about and even boasted in
- Paul goes on to list these things in verse 10 naming things like infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, and distresses. A more robust list can be found in 2 Corinthians 11:23-30.
There are many suggestions as to what Paul meant, but this is what I believe it to be.
