What Was Paul's Thorn in the Flesh?

The thorn causes suffering

Paul speaks here of a "thorn" or "thorn" in the fleshThe term "flesh" is used in different meanings in the Bible: a) as an expression of physicality or humanity, which is inextricably linked to our life on earth. Examples: “the... More that plagued him in the course of his spiritual experiences. Today, we might think of it as the small thorn of a rose, but the word used here (GreekUnlike Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews; Acts 6:1; 9:29), Greeks, in the narrow sense of the word, come from Greece and have at least one Greek parent (Acts 16:3 in connection with... More skolops) can describe objects that can be as large as a stake on which you can be impaled. The thorn caused more than mere annoyance. It caused agony, which – as a negative counterpart, so to speak – corresponded to the glory of what Paul had seen in heaven. Although the thorn had (probably) been given fourteen years earlier in Paul's life, verses 8-10 clearly show that it was still present and, therefore, also represents a longer, more prolonged suffering. But what was the thorn? Speculation does not help here. We do not know.

And that is just as well so that those whose suffering is of a different nature to Paul's are not deterred from applying his teaching to their own hearts. Paul is probably deliberately unspecific at this point, firstly to allow the greatest possible potential for application and secondly to prevent his own life from being made more visible than necessary. Paul is not concerned with the content of the thorn but with his intention.

But what was his intention? Paul's humility: "[T]hat I may not exalt myself." The verb used here (GreekUnlike Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews; Acts 6:1; 9:29), Greeks, in the narrow sense of the word, come from Greece and have at least one Greek parent (Acts 16:3 in connection with... More hyperairomai) means to be lifted up. The purpose of the thorn is to ensure that Paul does not become inwardly puffed up because of his indescribable heavenly experience. For whom would this not be the case if a thorn did not burst this bubble, our pride? That is why the Lord is afflicting his beloved apostle in a loving, gentle, sovereign way. Was it really the Lord? Doesn't the text attribute the thorn to Satan or one of his henchmen? Yes, the thorn was given to "strike Paul with fists" – surely this is the work of the devil. However, the desire to harass Paul is framed by the goal of humiliating Paul. This is mentioned twice, both at the beginning of the verse and at the end. Satan's goal is framed by God's goal. God's sovereignty and evil work together here in a way that transcends our thinking. Satan's work is within reach of God's sovereign purposes. God is not the author of evil in a way that makes him morally culpable. He is incapable of doing anything that is morally dubious. Yet even the most horrific offenses in human history were ordained by God. This also applies to lesser evil.

Pleading with the Lord

So in 2 Corinthians 12:8, Paul does what any of us would do: he asks for the thorn to be taken from him. Just as the "third" heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2) probably refers to the heaven of heavens, the heart of heaven, so "three times" probably means that Paul pleaded with God to the point of exhaustion (2 Corinthians 12:8). The point here is not that he did not bring the petition before the Lord more than twice and less than four times. Rather, it was a comprehensive, detailed, and intensive plea. He did not ask timidly or fleetingly. The verb he uses, "invoked" (Greek parakaleo) – not simply "I asked" – already makes this clear. The fact that Paul pleads with the Lord that the thorn be taken from him is further proof that the Lord was the one who, in his providence, had given the thorn.

For Paul, there were now two possibilities: The Lord is able to (1) remove the thorn so that Paul can continue with his life and ministry, or (2) leave the thorn in place so that Paul would be hindered and slowed down in life and ministry forever. The Lord responded with a third option: leave the thorn in place but give Paul graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More. For Paul's life and ministry, this would mean that he would experience God's power in his life in a way that he would never have experienced otherwise. This is God's secret strategy for his people. This is the unexpected way to receive power from above.

God's "grace" here is not primarily objective, forgiving grace (as in Romans 3:24, for example). Rather, Paul uses "grace" more comprehensively - as a shorthand for the presence of God - sustaining, empowering, reassuring, supporting, comforting, encouraging, and fulfilling. "My graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More is sufficient for you" means "I am enough for you." So why is the word "grace" used? Because the Lord wanted to assure Paul that he did not have to earn or work for God's presence. It is given to him by grace. This grace is further clarified by the following part of the sentence: "[T]hough my power is made perfect in weakness." It is a graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More that grants divine strength. The presence of God will sustain Paul; the power of God will strengthen him. We must not overlook the fact that it is not Paul's strength but God's. Paul's contribution is a weakness. But that is exactly what God wants to use. This is the mysteryIt is something hidden in Scripture that is not (yet) generally revealed (e.g., Prov 20:19). It can be negative (e.g., 2 Thess. 2:7) or positive (e.g., Ps. 25:14). Secrets are... More, the wonder, the glory of apostolic Christian faith: our weakness attracts God's own strength instead of repelling it. Our shortcomings and inabilities, which we naturally want to escape and fear, are exactly where God loves to dwell.

A renewed understanding of weakness

Paul's aspirations are thus turned on their head here. In 2 Corinthians 12:1-6, he first receives a revelation of heaven. In verses 7-10, however, he is then given a revelation of how heaven and fallen sinners collide, namely through human weakness. The first revelation gives him a sense of exaltation, the second one of depth (perhaps Paul had his heavenly vision and a thorn in the flesh in mind when he wrote in Romans 8:39 that neither "high things nor low things are able to separate [us] from the love of God which is in ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More Jesus our Lord"). This second revelation reverses the source of his boast. Instead of building his identity on his own strengths, he now builds his identity on the very weakness that the worldThe word is used with different meanings. It can mean the whole of humanity (Gen 41:57) or the created world (Rom 1:20), but also a moral system that is opposed... More and the fleshThe term "flesh" is used in different meanings in the Bible: a) as an expression of physicality or humanity, which is inextricably linked to our life on earth. Examples: “the... More spurn. Competence is not where God's strength is found. Instead, it is weakness. Frailty. For that is where God's graceTo the one who earns something through performance, the reward is not according to grace but according to debt (Rom. 4:4). Grace is a favor that is not given by... More is kindled. That is where God himself dwells.

Paul uses ancient language to speak of the power of God resting on him. The verb for "dwell" (Greek episkenoo) has its roots in the word that we translate as "tabernacle." This is where the presence of God dwelt among his people in times past. But whereas God's power used to be sealed off from all weak and defiled sinners, it is now precisely the weakness of sinners that attracts the power of God. Once again, we see Paul pointing out in passing that a new age has begun in ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More. And in this new age, God's power does not act in the way we would expect.

In 2 Corinthians 12:10, Paul comes to a glorious conclusion with his thorn experience. At the same time, this is probably the climax of the entire letter. This verse illuminates and underlines Paul's main argument in 2 Corinthians. Now that he has seen the mystery of Christ's power that dwells in him, Paul explains what he wants to say in verse 9: "Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities." What weaknesses? Paul answers with a list of five categories whose degree of difficulty increases:

• Weaknesses (GreekUnlike Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews; Acts 6:1; 9:29), Greeks, in the narrow sense of the word, come from Greece and have at least one Greek parent (Acts 16:3 in connection with... More astheneiai; cf. also 2 Cor. 11:30; 12:9): the general, summarizing category that denotes all the shortcomings of fallen man.
• Insults (GreekUnlike Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews; Acts 6:1; 9:29), Greeks, in the narrow sense of the word, come from Greece and have at least one Greek parent (Acts 16:3 in connection with... More hybreis): Mistreatment by others, whether by word or deed.
• Afflictions (gr. anakai): Experiences that afflict Paul and push him to unpleasant limits.
• Persecution (GreekUnlike Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews; Acts 6:1; 9:29), Greeks, in the narrow sense of the word, come from Greece and have at least one Greek parent (Acts 16:3 in connection with... More diogmoi): Afflictions at the hands of the enemy.
• Hardships (gr. stenochoriai): overwhelming experiences, devastating circumstances.

Paul says he has "pleasure" (gr. eudokeo) in these things, but the Greek word is stronger than that. It means "to rejoice in something". It is used, for example, for the Father's "pleasure" in the Son in Matthew 3:17. Paul is not saying that he is simply "pleased" with every human weakness that makes him frail and seemingly vulnerable. He confronts it. He accepts it. This is not a signThe Gospel of John tells us about eight signs that the Lord Jesus performed. These signs, which are also miracles, point to something special. They aim to help us grow... More of resignation but a signThe Gospel of John tells us about eight signs that the Lord Jesus performed. These signs, which are also miracles, point to something special. They aim to help us grow... More of zeal. Paul is not a masochist. He does not rejoice in the weaknesses themselves. This is made clear by the addition "for the sake of Christ." Paul rejoices in weakness because it opens up heavenly blessings and strength for him. His spiritual strength pushes forward.

Let's summarize: "For when I am weak, then I am strong." Paul is not referring to individual and occasional experiences of weakness in which strength arises. The word "when" (Gr. hotan) indicates that he has in mind a perpetual state of weakness and, thus, a perpetual state of receiving divine strength. Paul now sees that his weakness is not an obstacle but a door to the power of God.

God's power in us

Being able, strong, and successful feels safe. But it is deadly, dangerous, and leads to arrogance. Being incapable, weak, and inadequate feels dangerous. However, this is a safe ground that breeds humility. Furthermore, our little physical, mental, intellectual, educational, and even spiritual weakness is precisely the trigger for divine power. Power for what? For rest, growth, joy, and fellowship with God. For evangelistic zeal, for preaching, and for singing. In short, for a fruitful Christian life. Jesus himself taught: "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." (John 12:24).

"When everything suddenly goes haywire, and we bring things to Christ, that is the moment when we finally receive support and strength in our Christian life."

Do we long to make a difference for ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More with our lives? We should not be discouraged by our lowliness, our weaknesses, our past, and our stumbling. We can take these things and give them to God. He can do far more with them than with our strengths. However, this does not mean that we should consciously avoid building on our strengths (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11). It means that we train our strengths and talents, but in the awareness of our spiritual powerlessness and in the knowledge that we cannot produce lasting fruit by our own strength or skill.

What's more, it means that we don't throw in the towel when our lives go off the rails or when surprising difficulties pull the rug out from under our feet. We turn back to God anew. When everything suddenly goes haywire, and we bring things to ChristA title of the Lord Jesus, which is also used as an epithet; Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) mean "anointed one". The title refers to the fact that Jesus is... More, that is the moment when we finally receive support and strength in our Christian life. Our pain is the place where God himself lives.

Which do you prefer: to stand on the mountaintop without God or to be with him in the valley?