Paul’s Thorn: theunfetteredpreacher

I have thought long and hard about writing this post, we have so many learned men’s opinions on this subject. Why do I come up with something different, and dare write it?

What kind of fool am I?

Please comment….

2 Corinthians 12:7-9
King James Version (KJV)

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

Why did he have a “Thorn in the flesh?“

So he would be humble. “lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations.” “lest I should be exalted above measure.”

What was the “Thorn in the flesh?”

“The messenger of Satan to buffet me.”

Not much help, we will look deeper.

He asked the Lord three times to take this “messenger of Satan,” away.

The Lord’s answer: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Paul’s reaction: “Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

A thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan. A big enough problem that he asked three times for relief. While gladly accepting it, if Christ’s power would rest upon him.

So what was this thorn?

As we study the scriptures we can easily point to his eye problems, he mentions this several times. It’s probably his eyes.

We could blame persecution, guilt from when he persecuted the church or that he received persecution. Nope, it’s probably persecution, somehow.

It is thought it might be a sickness, like malaria, epilepsy, convulsive attacks or even a carnal temptation or depression. Yeah, that must be it.

Why don’t we check the scriptures, The Lord said His grace is sufficient.

Let’s see if any of these combinations are in the word: grace and persecution: grace and sickness: grace and healing:

It’s funny how grace is never paired with, persecution, sickness, healing or eye problems.

In fact, the only thing I see paired up with grace, (God’s unmerited mercy, or Salvation), is SIN. (12 times)

Exodus 34:9

“And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.”

Romans 5:20

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:”

Romans 5:21

“That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Romans 6:1

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?”

Romans 6:14

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace”

Romans 6:15

“What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.”

Ephesians 1:7

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;”

Ephesians 2:5

“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

Now I know some will say, ‘What about the messenger of Satan?’

I say why did Eve sin?

We just do not want to think that Paul might have had sin, he could not conquer. Just like me.

No, Paul did the miraculous, raised the dead, healed the sick, had revelations from God. He could not have been struggling with a secret sin.

Hebrews 1:1-2

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.“
Saints, I could be wrong, but I don’t think so. Paul wrote more on sin than any other writer in the Word.

Paul, like every other great man of God, was a man just like you and I. We all struggle with sin, whether we acknowledge it or not.

Like David, Paul knew how to repent, and turn back towards God, and to walk in obedience.

We can also. If we would.

The Lord will use those who continue to seek His face. Do not let that sin stop, the Lord from raising you up for His service.

His “strength is made perfect in our weakness.” Let Him make you strong. Amen

Thanks for visiting,
Know You Are Loved

We all have the relationship we want with God. My desire is a more intimate one.
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