Paul's "Thorn In The Flesh"

Even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me – so that I would not become arrogant. I asked the Lord three times about this, that it would depart from me. But the Lord said to me, “My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ, for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. - 1 Corinthians 12:7-10, NET

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A common interpretation about this passage is that when Paul speaks of having a "thorn in the flesh" he is speaking of some kind of physical sickness or infirmity. Poor eyesight is often suggested. However, in the looking at this scripture that appears to be a misconception.

It is helpful first to look at the different occasions in Scripture where similar terms to "thorn in the flesh" are used. In each of these cases the term very clearly relates to human adversaries and not physical illness.

"But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, then those whom you allow to remain will be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your side, and will cause you trouble in the land where you will be living." - Numbers 33:55

"know for certain that the Lord our God will no longer drive out these nations from before you. They will trap and ensnare you; they will be a whip that tears your sides and thorns that blind your eyes until you disappear from this good land the Lord your God gave you." - Joshua 23:13

"Therefore I also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be thorns in your side, and their gods shall be a snare to you.’" - Judges 2:3

Viewing this "thorn in the flesh" as adversaries also works more in harmony with the verse itself. Paul also calls this "thorn in the flesh", a "messenger of Satan". The Greek word here translated as "messenger" is angelos. It is alternatively rendered as "angel" by some translators in cases where they believe the context indicates a spirit messenger rather than a human. The word here transliterated as "Satan" literally means "adversary, accuser".

Paul says that this "thorn in the flesh" and this "messenger of the Adversary" caused him "weakness". Some Bible translators cause confusion by using the English word "infirmity" rather than "weakness". This makes the impression that Paul is referring to physical sickness. However within the whole context of chapters eleven and twelve in 2 Corinthians we can see that weakness is the proper word choice.

Paul uses the same terminology in 2 Corinthians 11:30 where he speaks about "boasting in his weaknesses (infirmities)" In his listing of these "weaknesses" in verse 24-27 never once does he mention physical sickness. These "weaknesses" are various persecutions and tribulations that came upon Paul throughout his ministry. Going now just a few verses later to our subject passage 12:7-10, we can continue the same line of thought as he speaks about "being content with weaknesses, with insults, with troubles, with persecutions and difficulties for the sake of Christ." Physical sickness is not implied here.

With this in mind let us look again at this "messenger of Satan" that Paul writes about. In understanding this there are a couple of options. If this is an angelic messenger from Satan then we might understand this as being a spirit of the Adversary that stirred up persecution and opposition to Paul's ministry. It is my opinion though that the context of 2 Corinthians chapter 12 lends this more to being human agents of Satan standing in opposition and slandering Paul. The reason is if we continue on to the very next verse, eleven, we see that Paul is speaking about "super-apostles" who caused severe problems for him and the Good News. If we jump back to Chapter 11 we can get even more clarity on these. Paul writes of such ones saying:

For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will correspond to their actions. - 2 Cor 11:13-15

In these verses Paul likens these "super-apostles" as being servants (or ministers) of Satan. Because in scripture angels are also described as servants (see Hebrews 1:7) I think that this gives much support to Paul's "angel of Satan" being one (or all) of these "servants of Satan". This works in the larger context of Chapter 11 and Chapter 12, which is a direct defense of Paul's ministry against the charges of these false apostles.

This also clears up why God allowed this "thorn in the flesh" to remain and did not remove it at Paul's request. Unlike sickness Christians are not redeemed from persecution. Paul later writes to Timothy saying, "all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12) This fulfills Jesus' words when he said, "If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you." (John 15:8)

In looking at this, it is interesting to note that Paul prayed three times that this persecution might be lifted. It struck me that this is the same number of times Jesus in prayer requested that the cup of persecution be removed from him. When it comes to our prayers John writes, "And this is the confidence that we have before him: that whenever we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." (1 John 5:14) It was not God's will to remove the persecution from Jesus and the Lord submitted to that. Likewise, as a follower of Jesus, it was not according to the will of God to remove Paul's persecution. Instead the Lord offered his grace to help Paul endure and overcome these persecutions - not that Paul would be glorified but that the Lord would be.

When we follow after Jesus we can equally expect distressing trials and even human adversaries. We may have to contend with our own "thorn in the flesh" or "messenger of Satan" while we declare the Good News. Almighty God allows such things to happen for a reason. Paul understood that these weaknesses helped to make him "perfect" or "complete". Along these lines James writes, "My brothers and sisters,consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and complete, not deficient in anything. (James 1:2-4)

While these trials serve to refine us they also bring glory to the Lord. Peter writes, "Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold – gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away – and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (1 Peter 1:7) When it speaks of Jesus Christ being "revealed" the apostle points to the coming day of the Lord. However, even today when Jesus grants us the power to overcome adversaries and obstacles his glory is revealed in us. As Paul writes, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves. ... For we who are alive are constantly being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our mortal body" (2 Corinthians 4:7,11) No wonder James encourages us to consider such "thorns" as "nothing but joy"!