Apostle Paul’s Thorn and Infirmity
Written by Elizabeth 01/01/2014
Many Christians wonder why God denied Apostle Paul the deliverance he desperately sought after but never received. They ruminate over the reality of Paul’s suffering, compare their circumstances to his plights, and question if God is delivering the same message to them especially if deliverance or healing has been delayed.
Scripture makes it clear that we are to walk in faith regarding all of the circumstances in our lives. Our walk should be aligned with biblical scripture and it should be a walk of faith that pleases God. “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Heb 11:6)
Since our degree of faith is extremely important to God, we need to make sure that we are not misunderstanding 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 which might otherwise hamper our faith walk. Dragging a ball and chain fettered to your ankle while walking in faith will give Satan reason to rejoice. Running to the Mercy Seat with self-doubt while rehearsing every reason why God won’t heal you – is not faith that pleases God. So, let’s take a closer look at 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 and put our understanding of this scripture in proper perspective.
In 2 Cor 12:7-9, we read the following: “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Cor 12:7-9)
Apostle Paul continues, “Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:10)
Scripture tells the reader exactly why Paul did not receive deliverance from the thorn in his flesh. God was not punishing Paul. Instead, God was revealing an abundance of revelations to Paul which in turn would require Apostle Paul to learn humility. “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me.”
Subsequently, Paul explains the list of infirmities that he encountered, none of which mention physical health issues. “I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
No believer in the entire world or throughout Christian history has ever received the same cornucopia of revelations as Apostle Paul. Apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 1:11-12 that he received his revelations solely from Christ Jesus. “But I make known to you, brethren. that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Apostle Paul is also known for writing at least 13 epistles found in the New Testament which is no small feat. Apostle Paul writes in Romans 2:16, “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” This is an amazing revelation. Apostle Paul is telling the reader that God will be judging the entire world according to the gospel that the Holy Spirit inspired him to write as the Book of Romans.
Apostle Paul makes it very clear that he was given a thorn in his side to keep him humble “lest I should be exalted above measure”. Humility was essential for his Christian character because of “the abundance of the revelations” he had received from Christ Jesus. We can all agree that Apostle Paul’s writings were inspired by the Holy Spirit all of which have been a blessing to Christians over the past two thousand years.
Therefore, believers don’t need to worry about getting a thorn in their side because God has given them a plethora of revelations. It might be more prudent for Christians to flush out other reasons why they might not be receiving their deliverance or healing. Perhaps the believer has unforgiveness in his heart towards another person or even worse, resentment towards God. Maybe the believer is entertaining fear, jealousy, bitterness, or lack of faith, all of which can hinder a desired healing. Nevertheless, we can all agree that an abundance of revelations will not be the reason why Christians aren’t receiving their deliverance.
So, let’s review the characteristics of a “thorn in the flesh”.
The term “thorn in the side” is considered an idiom. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, an idiom is “an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements (such as up in the air for “undecided”)” Typical idioms might be “he kicked the bucket”, “raining cats and dogs” or “you’re pulling my leg. Idioms occur in all languages and each one has a unique meaning. Cambridge Dictionary defines the idiom “thorn in the side” as “a person or thing that repeatedly annoys you or causes you pain.”
According to Strong’s G4647 (biblical concordance) the Greek word “thorn” is skolops which means “1.) a pointed piece of wood, a pale, a stake, or 2.) a sharp stake, splinter.” If you have ever had a thorn or splinter in your hand, you understand just how annoying it can become and how difficult it is to remove.
Paul explains that the “thorn” came from a messenger of Satan. The messenger came from Satan’s camp, and it was sent specifically to “buffet” Apostle Paul. According to the Free Dictionary, the definition of “buffet” as a noun is “a blow or cuff with or as if with the hand.” As a verb it means “1.) To hit or beat, especially repeatedly, 2.) To strike against forcefully; batter, 3.) To cause repeated difficulty or harm to (a person or group.) 4.) To force (one’s way) with difficulty.”
In summary, unless the thorn is removed it will cause continual agitation.
Now let’s review what Paul’s infirmity might have been. Was it a physical ailment or sickness? If it was a physical illness or chronic ailment then why didn’t Paul identify the illness? A health issue was never mentioned in either Chapter 11 or 12. To clarify the infirmity and to better understand Paul’s exposition of 2 Cor 12:7-10, we must of necessity review all the pertinent scriptures in the previous chapter 11 as well as subsequent passages in Chapter 12. In the correlation of these different scriptures, we will discover a continuous theme and message from the Apostle Paul which helps to properly identify his infirmity.
In 2 Cor 11:30 Apostle Paul tells the reader, “If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.” The word “infirmity” surfaces again in 2 Cor 12:9 as well. “Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Cor 12:9) Paul uses the plural form of infirmity indicating that there were many infirmities. No one knows the specifics of his infirmity or infirmities. Some bible scholars believe the infirmity was impaired vision. Others believe it was malaria. Paul doesn’t identify his infirmities but he does discuss throughout both chapters and at great length the non-stop challenges he experienced during his missionary work. The word “infirmity” can apply to bodily sickness but in this case, there is greater evidence that Paul’s infirmity was the result of ongoing distress, trials, and persecutions that he endured throughout his missionary work.
It is important to note that most missionaries experience severe trials. When you bring the Gospel of Christ to unchartered territories – various degrees of persecution should be expected. God does not always remove the persecution when we witness to others. Many Christian believers have also died for their faith in Christ Jesus.
But how can a persecution be an infirmity? During the persecution, a Christian might expend all self-sufficiency when there is no strength left to extricate oneself from an oppressor or a life-threatening situation. The believer enters a weakened state and finally realizes that the only solution to overcoming the circumstance is total reliance on Christ Jesus. The infirmity wasn’t necessarily the onslaught of persecutions but instead the overall condition of insufficiency that resulted from the persecutions. God’s strength was perfected in the weaker vessel which in this case was Paul. By dying to self, Christ lives all the greater in a believer’s life. “My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:9) Over time, and through these challenges, Paul’s strong-willed and self-sufficient nature eroded until he learned to rely completely on Christ Jesus.
Paul warns believers in his other epistles that persecutions will happen to those who love Christ Jesus. “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Tim 3:12) God doesn’t promise to remove the thorn in our side that might result from various persecutions but He will strengthen us during those difficult times. “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand.” (Psa 37:24) Christ Jesus also tells believers, “In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (Jhn 16:33)
Earlier, in Chapter 11, specifically 2 Cor 11:23-28, Paul brings to the reader’s attention what he had to endure for Christ Jesus.
“I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. (2 Cor 11:23-28)
In 2 Cor 11:30, Paul summarizes, “If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.” Paul seems to be implying that his infirmity is his weakness to endure the many trials and persecutions that followed him during his life as an apostle and missionary.
The onslaught of persecutions (thorn) during his missionary trips, which were brought on by the demonic host (messenger of Satan) which in turn used people as agitators to (buffet) Paul’s flesh (carnal strength) resulted in a continual emptying of self (infirmities) which was used by God to keep him humble and whereby God could say, “My strength is made perfect in weakness”.
Christ Jesus commanded the apostles to “go and make disciples of all nations”. (Mat 28:19) Therefore, persecutions were inevitable and it would take a very strong Christian like Paul to endure the unrelenting assaults from the demonic host while pagans were being converted to Christianity. The Judaizers were also persecuting Paul. Separately, doctrinal divisions emerged between the apostles as the Gentiles continued to enter the fold along with Jewish believers which must have been stressful for Apostle Paul.
Now that we’ve reviewed the critical points in Chapter 11 – let’s take a look at Chapter 12. In 2 Cor 12:1, Paul mentions his revelations again. “It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord”. Early in Chapter 12, Paul writes about visions and revelations that led up to why he was being buffeted by a messenger of Satan. Paul was writing to the Corinthians who were impressed with their spiritual gifts. Apostle Paul was letting them know that boasting is not profitable for anyone including himself but, in this case, it proved necessary so that he might better illustrate his point and ministry to them. Paul continues telling the Corinthians, “And I know such a man – whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows – how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” (2 Cor 12:3-4) Of course, Paul is talking about himself but humbly attempts to conceal this fact. “Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself, I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.” (2 Cor 12:5-6) Paul knew the dangers of boasting about spiritual revelations or gifts which is why he made this attempt to conceal his identity and by doing so he indirectly let the Corinthians know they should not boast as well.
Paul also makes it clear that people might exalt him above what he was or appeared to be. “But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.” (2 Cor 12:5-6) He didn’t say that he saw himself above what he was or knew himself to be but how others might view him. Paul knew the dangers of celebrity status where people might exalt him beyond his station in Christ Jesus especially if God were to remove the persecutions.
Christ Jesus told Ananias that Paul would suffer many things. “For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” (Acts 9:16)
Christ Jesus saw in Paul a zeal for God even while Paul was ignorantly persecuting Christians. Christ Jesus needed that degree of zeal for His Kingdom. Christ Jesus needed an apostle who would never give up under the pressure of persecution. The Kingdom had to expand and persecution would be inevitable for anyone taking on the task of bringing the Gospel of Christ to a pagan world.
Apostle Paul with great humility admitted that he was the chief sinner among the apostles and a former persecutor of the brethren. “Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” (1Tim 1:13) He further adds, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” (1 Tim 1:15) Despite the abundance of revelations, he remembers how he persecuted Christians and from the bottom of his heart deeply regretted his earlier actions which brought significant harm to others. These regrets followed him throughout his life. He was not a man of braggadocio but instead, a man who became very humble and whose sacrifices honored God which in turn have blessed us.
Apostle Paul states that Christ Jesus’s longsuffering with him would be a pattern shown to all sinners who at some future time would eventually receive Him as their personal Savior for everlasting life. “However, for this reason, I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” (I Tim 1:16)
Yes, in Paul’s many infirmities, where dying to self was the result of a never-ending stream of persecutions, he boldly wrote for our benefit, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phl 4:13)
The End