2 Corinthians 12:7-10: 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.
Please notice a few things about Paul’s thorn in the flesh:
First, note that this “problem” of Paul’s was in many ways a good thing. The revelations Paul had seen (2 Cor. 12:1-6) could have made it easy for him to become arrogant and/or be exalted too highly by others. Thus, verse 7 begins and ends with the words “lest I should be exalted above measure.” While Satan brings hardships into our lives to tear us down, God often brings or allows hardships to build us up. Paul’s thorn in the flesh exemplifies this.
Paul’s thorn in the flesh also demonstrates that the source of permanent joy is not having no trials or hardships, but rather trusting and obeying God through whatever we face. Paul may have thought, “without this hardship, I could serve God better.” Yet, in truth, he could serve God faithfully regardless of circumstances that were beyond his control.
Paul’s spiritual-mindedness helped him accept when things did not “go his way,” and even see his trials from a positive perspective (cf. Rom. 5:3-4; Phil. 1:12-14).
Notice also what Paul’s “weakness” was. Paul did not say, “I am living in sin and cannot avoid it, but I take pleasure in knowing that God forgives me anyway.” The “weaknesses” Paul endured were not sins, but infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses for Christ’s sake (2 Cor. 12:10).
We might ask what specific hardship(s) were referred to when Paul spoke of his thorn in the flesh. Eye problems (cf. Gal. 4:13-15), speech problems (2 Cor. 10:10), harm from others (cf. 2 Tim. 4:14), or other explanations may be proposed, but it is likely that none of us know for sure.
What we do know about Paul’s thorn in the flesh is much more significant. Paul’s thorn in the flesh was not sin he was guilty of, but a trial(s) he faced. This “thorn” was difficult for him, but he endured it joyfully and focused on the good it produced.
May we remember this when we face infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses in our lives.
– Michael Hickox