What Was Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh?

...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

 

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

 

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

 

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.​

 

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?

 

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

 

??? Who suggested their pride was a thorn?

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