Paul's Thorn in the Flesh

Many have tried to decipher what Paul's thorn in the flesh was. Some say it's sickness, some say it's persecution, and some say it's people who constantly oppose his ministry.

But whatever Paul's thorn in the flesh was, it was meant to keep him from getting proud due to the abundance of the revelations he got. If you start reading from 2 Cor 12:1, Paul talked about visions and revelations of the Lord. He has heard things - 'inexpressible words, which is not lawful for a man to utter' (See 2 Cor 12:4).

He said, "Lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me..." (1 Cor 12:7a).

Paul described this thorn in the flesh as 'a messenger of Satan to buffet me...' Why? "Lest I be exalted above measure."

I believe whatever this thorn was, it was given to Paul to check him. The thorn in his flesh was a check, not a curse. It was a constant reminder that despite the magnitude  of revelations he received, that he was still a mere man. It was to keep him humble.

I think a man who receives the level of revelations Paul does have every tendency to begin to see himself as a small god. He may begin to place so much importance on himself than he should. Pride sets in and destroys everything he has worked for.

That was Paul's situation. He needed a check; a daily reminder that he was just a man, not a super being. The thorn (though negative) was for his good.

Despite asking the Lord three times to remove it, Jesus told him that what he (Paul) needed wasn't for the thorn in the flesh to be removed, what he really needed was His grace to function despite the thorn in the flesh. He let him know that His strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9).

It was a perfect situation for Paul in order to stay daily connected to the Source of his strength - Jesus.

Sometimes, we are given a thorn in the flesh to keep us dependent on God and not on ourselves. Painful? Yes. But largely for our own good because of God's love for us. He doesn't want us to miss out but stay connected to Him as we daily realize our eternal need for Him. It keeps us from being puffed up and reminds us that we are men, not God.

Life may come with it's highs and lows but it's important we remember that no matter what, God's grace is sufficient (more than enough) for us, for His strength is made perfect in our weakness, not in our strength.

Our weakness is always an opportunity for God to prove Himself God in our lives helping us live in constant reality of who He is. That why Paul stopped pleading with the Lord to take away the thorn in the flesh.

"For when I am weak then I am strong."

He began to to see his thorn in the flesh in a different light. So rather than complain and ask God to remove it, he decides to take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in distress, for Christ's sake.