Paul Thorn in the Flesh

Thorns in the Flesh

Christianity Oasis provides this Paul Thorn in the Flesh & Thorns in the Flesh study on what was Paul's Thorn in the Flesh bringing forth truth and understanding.


Daily Bread Devotional Bible Study
The Second Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
Chapter 12


Paul Thorn in the Flesh - Thorns in the Flesh

What Was Paul's Thorn in the Flesh

Welcome to our Christianity Oasis Daily Bread study program. This is our very intriguing Paul Thorn in the Flesh - Thorns in the Flesh study on what was Paul's Thorn in the Flesh. The absolutely essential message will truly bring a smile to the lips and heart and shine the LIGHT of Truth upon your be-YOU-tiful Christian walk path.

Paul Thorn in the Flesh & Thorns in the Flesh Now
What Was Paul's Thorn in the Flesh About

It's great to have you back again for more Daily Bread. In our last chapter, Paul shared with us a list of persecutions that he endured in his ministry. Clearly, this was something that he didn't want to write about, but in his position as the Apostle of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, with his identity in question, he must have felt it was necessary. You can feel his reluctance in his words, almost apologetically admitting the foolishness of his "bragging" about his qualifications. For a person like Paul who is bold for the Lord, yet humble in his self, you've just got to know that deep down, he wasn't comfortable doing this, although, as he has said before, he'll do what he has to do to win souls for the Lord.

2 Corinthians 12:1-5

1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

Paul Thorn in the Flesh / Thorns in the Flesh Vow
What Was Paul's Thorn in the Flesh He Had

This passage is Paul telling about an experience he himself had. Whether this was a vision or whether it was an "out of body experience" he could not tell, but he was taken to the third heaven. What is the third heaven? Not the sky where the birds fly, not the starry heaven, but the third heaven where God manifests His glory. He heard unspeakable words there ... Things that are not possible for a man to describe to the world. It would seem that anyone who had such an experience would have readily boasted about them, but he says ...

2 Corinthians 12:5-7

5 ... yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear [refrain], lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
7 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.

Okay, let's unpack this. Paul doesn't want anyone to think more highly of him than they should because he was blessed by these revelations, so he will not brag, except about his weaknesses.

You may have read or heard different stories about what this "thorn" in the flesh was that Paul was given, and whether it was psoriasis or leprosy or acne, it doesn't matter, but what matters is this: What "thorns" do we have of our own? What fleshly imperfections do we have that we absolutely despise, that we should look at differently? Why aren't we perfect? Because then we would feel like we didn't need God. If you had no weaknesses, then He couldn't work through you. It's His perfection that we should glorify, not our own and our weaknesses that we should cherish, as Paul explains:

Paul Thorn in the Flesh & Our Thorns in the Flesh
What Was Paul's Thorn in the Flesh Origin

2 Corinthians 12:8-9

8 For this thing I besought [prayed to] the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Remember in the last chapter when Paul said he was proud of his weaknesses? This is why ...

2 Corinthians 12:9-21

9 Most gladly therefore will I rather glory [I instead take pride] in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
11 I am become a fool in glorying [praising myself]; ye have compelled [forced] me: for I ought to have been commended [found worthy] of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest Apostles, though I be nothing.
12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought [performed] among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.
13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.
14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours [your money or belongings] but you: for the children ought not to lay up [provide] for the parents, but the parents for the children.
15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.
16 But be it so [be that as it may], I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.
17 Did I make a gain [take advantage] of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
18 I desired Titus [urged Titus to visit], and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps?
19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? [We don't say this to gain your approval.] we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying [betterment].
20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would [as I hope], and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail {be sad for] many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

Paul Thorn in the Flesh - All Thorns in the Flesh
What Was Paul's Thorn in the Flesh Warning

Once again, I remind you that Paul is speaking to those who hadn't repented in Corinth, not the entire church. Lot's of good lessons about weakness hidden in Paul's words if you go back and search them out. They're different for everyone. Maybe you're a leader and you feel like you have weaknesses that annoy you. What if these weaknesses are intentionally given to you because someone else has been blessed with strength (in that area) so that the body of Christ can co-operate and be balanced and nobody feels like they're left out? Your thorn is somebody else's rose, and vice versa. And weakness is also God's way of urging you to depend on Him.

Paul Thorn in the Flesh & Our Thorns in the Flesh Study Asking What Was Paul's Thorn in the Flesh Summary

Well, there's only one chapter left in this great letter from Paul to study, as we steadily make our way through the New Testament, so come on back soon and we'll take a look at the conclusion of Paul's letter, right here at Daily Bread.

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