You have heard of it, have you ever wondered what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” really was? The reference is to the first 10 verses of 2 Corinthians 12. Let’s consider a bit of context:
First, Paul referred to himself in the third person, by writing, “I know a man in Christ…” He referred to an occasion fourteen years previous where he had received a vision from the Lord. Interestingly, an examination of Paul’s timeline indicates that this vision is only related here. In other words, there is no indication he had mentioned it before. The nature of the vision is not known by Paul (3), but it is not the only vision he had received or would again receive (1).
His reference to this vision is to establish to the Corinthians his standing as an apostle. Though, as a humble man, such self-referencing was not a comfortable thing. In fact this is what his opponents did, which may have had an effect upon some Christians, necessitating Paul’s boasting of his vision on this occasion. Normally he was reticent, “But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me” (6).
The vision itself was the stuff of glory. He was taken up into the third heaven (Paradise), indicating here the abode of God and the angels. He heard magnificent words, which he could not and would not share. Note that such a prohibition was given to John as recorded in the Revelation, “Now when the thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them” (Revelation 10:4).
Paul was very cognizant of the danger of pride that would accompany such privileges. Perhaps this was why he was so anguished about what he was saying, calling himself a “fool in boasting” though compelled by them. In fact, though accepting that he was in no way behind the most eminent apostles, he was “nothing” (11).
Pride is truly unacceptable to God. Note the following:
(2 Corinthians 10:17-18), “But ‘he who glories, let him glory in the LORD.’ For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”
(1 Peter 5:5-7), “Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”
Luke 14:11 [Jesus’ words], “For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Proverbs 29:23, “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.”
God did not assume Paul would remain humble. The temptation of pride is one that can impact each of us. Instead Paul wrote, “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was give to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure” (7).
The phrase, “thorn in the flesh” is a metaphorical one. The typical explanation of it was some disease or physical malady from which Paul suffered. This may very well be, However, it is a mistake to take the word “thorn” as figurative, and then suggest that “flesh” it meant to be taken literally. The entire phrase it taken together. Since that is so, it is difficult to know exactly to what Paul refers.
Some have taken Paul’s allusions to his physical person to suggest he might have had epilepsy, or a stammer, or some other speech defect. Some have suggested a cleft lip, (commonly called a hairlip). Others think that Paul might have reference to some specific individual or group that opposed and vexed him. Any specific explanation is only speculation. We really do not know.
What we do know is that he asked the Lord to remove his “thorn in the flesh”, and he was denied. As such, God helped him retain his humility, to the point where he wrote, “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproached, in needs, in persecutions, in distressed, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (9-10).
Paul, perhaps above all men, understood his dependence upon the Lord. He knew his place, “I am nothing” (11). We know him as a great man. He wrote concerning himself, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1:15). We call him a great apostle. He wrote, “For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:9-10).
May we all, no matter the plaudits and praise that men or God may heap upon us, exhibit the same humility and sense of self that the apostle Paul exhibited in his life!
