What Was Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh?

[Piper]

I was told it was his eyesight, and took a passage that said he wrote this with his hand (Saying that he always used an amanuensis and could only write large characters) as proof -2 Thess 3:17.

 

[kyredneck]

I was told it was his eyesight

...could be. Could also be a speech impediment:

10 For, His letters, they say, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account. 2 Cor 10

6 But though I be rude in speech, yet am I not in knowledge; nay, in every way have we made this manifest unto you in all things. 2 Cor 11

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made void. 1 Cor 1

 

[David Kent]

Could be piles, that is certainly a thorn in the flesh.

 

[Scarlett O.]

I was told it was his eyesight, and took a passage that said he wrote this with his hand (Saying that he always used an amanuensis and could only write large characters) as proof -2 Thess 3:17.

He also mentions his handwriting in Galatians. It could have been his eyes. He also says in Galatians 4 that his "illness" was a trial to the Galatians but he knew if they could, they would have taken out their own eyes and given them to him.

It could have been his eyesight, but the Bible does not declare what the "thorn in the flesh" was.

Here are the things that I have heard:

• his eyes
• his scarred and beaten body
• a demonic and spiritual thing
• his cruel and horrible wife [I heard that one - guess where? Yup - the good old Baptist Board.]

Whatever it was, God either gave it to him or allowed it to happen to keep Paul from becoming "conceited" - so says the Bible.

I don't think we are supposed to know.

Someone much wiser than me said that if it were a specific ailment, then people today with that same ailment would claim that they were "like Paul" and get conceited over it.

 

[canadyjd]

I was told it was his eyesight, and took a passage that said he wrote this with his hand (Saying that he always used an amanuensis and could only write large characters) as proof -2 Thess 3:17.

First: The “large letters” were Paul’s signature as a way to verify he was responsible for the letter. Nothing to do with his eyesight.

Second: Paul tells us what the “thorn in the flesh” is in 2 Corinthians 12:7 (a messenger of Satan to buffet me) and explained further in 2 Corinthians 12:10 where he speaks of the hardships and persecutions he had endured for the cause of Christ.

Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was the hardships and persecutions he faced for the cause of Christ. Jesus told him on the road to Damascus he would greatly suffer for His name. Paul speaks of this constant persecution in numerous letters.

When he went to Corinth, he spoke of the great fear that he had of the coming persecution. God reassured him by telling him He, God, had many people in the city.

IMHO

peace to you

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

Whatever it was, it was intended to intercept conceit (2 Corinthians 12:6-7).

I favor the idea that it was an eye affliction tied to his Damascus Road experience. What a reminder such a flare up would have been. He had been on the way to persecute yet more Christians when Christ intervened for his salvation.

Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.​

 

[JonC]

I believe we are not told in Scripture for a reason - we all have a "thorn in the flesh", and it should keep us humble, reliant on God rather than our own abilities. It is the principle, not the thorn itself, that is the focus of the passage.

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

I believe we are not told in Scripture for a reason - we all have a "thorn in the flesh", and it should keep us humble, reliant on God rather than our own abilities. It is the principle, not the thorn itself, that is the focus of the passage.

Yes, there is no doubt that we should be humble, but the extended “thorn in the flesh” bit doesn’t quite seem to fit.

In this epistle, Paul is dealing with some seriously foolish pride being exhibited by other people. What “thorn in the flesh” had been given to them?

 

[JonC]

o

Yes, there is no doubt that we should be humble, but the extended “thorn in the flesh” bit doesn’t quite seem to fit.

In this epistle, Paul is dealing with some seriously foolish pride being exhibited by other people. What “thorn in the flesh” had been given to them?

He doesn't mention their pride as a "thorn". I suspect the principle would apply to each of them individually.

2 Corinthians 12:7–11. 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! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about 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, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody.

That last verse, I think, puts it in context "Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody."

 

[percho]

o

He doesn't mention their pride as a "thorn". I suspect the principle would apply to each of them individually.

2 Corinthians 12:7–11. 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! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about 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, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody.

That last verse, I think, puts it in context "Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody."

Is the following relative, spoken in the present tense, yet covered by grace?

stedfast is the word, and of all acceptation worthy, that Christ Jesus came to the world to save sinners -- first of whom I am; 1 Tim 1:15

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

He doesn't mention their pride as a "thorn". ,,,

??? Who suggested their pride was a thorn?

Paul indicates his "thorn in the flesh" was intended to prevent him becoming prideful.

Whatever it was, it was intended to intercept conceit (2 Corinthians 12:6-7).
...

Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.​