Knowing The Word in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul's Thorn

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul was brought right down to earth from his heavenly ascension. His thorn could be a disease, condition, or physical aliment if it is “in his flesh,” or in a theological sense it could be a “sinful inclination.” In Galatians 4:13 Paul says that it was because of a bodily ailment that he preached the gospel in Galatia and that his condition was a difficulty for them. Then in verse 15 he says that they would have plucked out their eyes for him. Is this a mere figure of speech? Perhaps not. It is believable that Paul had some sort of eye disease. If he had impaired vision, this might explain not only why he had traveling companions on his trips, but especially why Luke the physician seems to have been an important companion. This also makes sense of why Paul says that he signs his letters with a large signature in Galatians 6:11.The grace he received from God was for endurance, not for healing. Since Paul is weak, the power and miracles and conversions are not seen to have come through a human source but a divine one.

J. W. McCant writes:

Christ faced a cross, Paul a stake or thorn;

Christ prayed three times for the suffering to pass, and so did Paul;

Jesus prayed “not my will but yours” while Paul received a revelation that

God’s grace would be sufficient in his weakness; and

the cross and the thorn had to be not only faced but actually endured.

Jesus was a suffering Messiah, so is it any wonder that his agent, Paul, was a suffering apostle? Paul wrote this section to get his converts to see what the real criteria are for an apostle and to see him distinct from the super/false apostles.

Make us worthy, Lord, to serve our fellowmen throughout the world who live and die in poverty and hunger. Give them, through our hands, this day their daily bread, and by our understanding love, give peace and joy.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, 1910-1997