2. THE SECOND BOOK OF CORINTHIANS.

PAUL’S THORN!

First, let’s read the passage from 2nd Corinthians Chapter 12:1-10.

Paul pleaded with God to remove a very troublesome thorn from his life. What was this thorn?

There are many and various opinions concerning this thorn.

Was it a physical thorn that was causing Paul so much distress?  He does mention that it was… ‘In the flesh.’  Those who believe this interpretation hold to their conviction that because they suffer long-term illness and have not yet received healing, they have learned to live with it because they have decided that their malady is their personal thorn given by God to teach them something or to chastise them to change their behaviour, to make them Holy.

These people suggest that Paul had extremely bad eyesight. Others speculate, Malaria, epilepsy, migraines, speech disability or some other physical ailment.

Now, Paul does mention some of these infirmities. But was it ‘THE THORN’ that is referred to in this passage?

God never puts evil on a person, and sickness is not given by Him because,

‘HE IS THE HEALER!’ “Every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord, and He never changes His mind.” James 1:17.

A PERSON?

Was the thorn a person? For example, Alexander the Coppersmith did Paul a great deal of harm. 2 Timothy 4:14.

But God dealt with him according to His deeds. And Paul knew this.

FALSE TEACHERS.

Other scholars say that the thorn refers to false teachers sent by Satan who had entered the Church and were attempting to lure people away from the truth of the Gospel of Christ. All these afflictions and  many more added together could result in a huge nasty thorn.

But was this the thorn that Paul pleaded with God to remove? Speculation is really a term for guessing!

THE TERM FOR THORN.

In the Greek (Skolops) implies more than a rose thorn that caused mere annoyance: Paul’s thorn generated agony corresponding to what he saw in Heaven. The beauty and glory of the   presence of God in the highest Heaven.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAUL’S THORN,

God, or Satan?

The thorn, according to Paul himself, was from Satan, a messenger or an evil Angel to harass him.  

Though God didn’t directly afflict him, He allowed Satan to torment him to prevent him from being ‘puffed up’ with pride due to his unspeakable experience of the third Heaven.

It was a preventative measure so Paul who was an incredibly humble man would not succumb to pride.

So rather than being possessed by a demon within, Paul was attacked from without.

Paul could see some way forward and it was not very satisfying.

The Lord could remove the thorn, and Paul would cope in the ministry, though the ministry would be hindered, and he would continue to be afflicted.

Now God responded by leaving the thorn, but gave Paul  “Grace”.

SUPERNATURAL GRACE! 

It is not the “forgiving type of grace” but rather “empowering grace,” a sustainable, calming, supporting, and very satisfying grace. 

This is wonderful as God was offering          HIMSELF!  He will make Paul perfect in his human weakness with “HIS DIVINE POWER.”

You and I must admit our weaknesses and draw upon His strength. It is in our weaknesses where God dwells, waiting to empower us to fulfill our calling.

Instead of us wanting to run from hardships, He is in the boat with us. Jesus said, “Without me you can do nothing.”

We all have areas of weakness as did the Apostle.

1. Human incompatibility.
2. Insults and mistreatment.
3. Hardships that take you beyond your limits.
4. Persecutions, afflictions at the hand of hostile enemies.
5. Overwhelming and devastating experiences.              

No longer Paul needed to decide to live with weaknesses or even delight in them because they opened him up to Heaven’s Blessings of strength and power.

“CONTINUED WEAKNESS IS THE GATEWAY FOR GOD’S STRENGTH.”

Humility, not pride can only draw from God the supernatural Power to make us fruitful in our lives.

Power to be calm.

Power to be joyful in tribulation.

Power to evangelise the lost.

Power to preach the Word of God boldly.

Power to heal the sick.

Maybe, Paul’s thorn was the Ministry itself!  He does mention the “Care of the Churches.”

Whatever it was, it caused him to come to the end of himself, his own efforts.

We, as Paul, must “Die to Self.

Once we crucify self then we can live by the resurrection power of the Risen Christ. Then we can do ” all things” through Christ who strengthens us.

We can learn from this study how to rightly divide the Word of God. Let’s not argue from silence and keep in mind as we read this Bible quote:

IF THE PLAIN SENSE MAKES SENSE … THEN SEEK NO OTHER SENSE.

Paul told  us that the thorn was a demon, and the purpose of its presence was to prevent him from doing anything in his own strength but to do:

“ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES HIM STRENGTH.”

Paul definitely fought the good fight of faith; despite all opposition, his relationship with God grew from strength in faith, love and power. He was more than a conqueror through Christ, who loved him so.

When life goes into meltdown, when your feet are swept from under you. Don’t throw in the towel but continually draw upon “His Strength.”

Move forward trusting that He loves you, and in Him, you live and move and have your being.

Amen.

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