The Apostle Paul's Weakness

We have made our way to 2 Corinthians as we make a quick survey of how the Creator has revealed Himself in His Holy Word. As in the other books of the Bible, God does reveal Himself in this one, but it also contains a great revealing of the Apostle Paul. In 2 Corinthians we get an intimate look at Paul. He allows us to see into his heart, to understand his hurts and his deepest longings. Paul lets us understand his humanity. He reveals much about his divine calling to the gospel ministry. He tells us about the trials and hardships he faced. Through it all, he makes sure that we see that Christ's power is made manifest through Paul's weakness.

2 Corinthians is where we find out about Paul's "thorn in the flesh". 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 says, "Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me - to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." NASU There has been much speculation about Paul's "thorn in the flesh". The fact is that we do not know what it was. Poor eyesight, a bad temper, or stomach trouble are often suggested as possibilities.

Even though we do not exactly what the "thorn in the flesh" was, we do know what its purpose was. Paul states it clearly and repeats it all in the same verse. God permitted this "messenger of Satan, this "thorn in the flesh" for the express purpose of keeping Paul from making an attempt to exalt himself. If any truth in the entire universe is absolutely clear, it is the truth that God wants us to exalt Him and Him alone. Any attempt to exalt self is wrong. God is very much interested in us lifting Him up, ascribing power and glory to Him, blessing His name, magnifying His name, exalting His name. Why is it such a huge temptation for me to exalt myself? I am pretty sure that is large temptation for you also. Evidently it was for Paul also.

Paul begged for this "thorn in the flesh" to be taken away from him. The Lord revealed to Paul that He desired to gain glory from helping Paul to deal with it rather than taking it away. God's grace and power are revealed to us and other observers as He enables us to endure, rather flourish, in spite of our thorns in the flesh. How can Paul say, "when I am weak, then I am strong"? The answer is related to understanding our purpose for existing. We exist to bring glory to God. If we appear strong, it will likely not bring glory to God. If we are weak, God's power will be revealed in us, thus we will be "strong" in accomplishing our purpose of bringing glory to God. Do you have a thorn or thorns in the flesh? I think maybe I have some. I imagine you do also. Our response to those thorns will have a lot to do with our ability to exalt our Heavenly Father now and later to hear Him say, well done faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Master.