There’s always been a lot of debate about WHAT was Paul’s “thorn in the flesh”. (See 2 Corinthians 12:1-10) But, much more important, is the ‘WHY?’, and that is very, very clear. Verse 7 says, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”
(Note: Probably the best translation of the King James English word ‘lest’, is ‘so that… not’.)
So, rewritten in current English, it says, “So that I should not be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations…”
No matter what you believe Paul’s ‘thorn’ was… here is wisdom, a caution, that every Christian can apply to their own heart. When knowledge comes, especially great revelation from God, pride is right there, tempting that man to be lifted up, puffed up, exalted above measure. 1 Corinthians 8:1 says, “Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.”
God saw a serious danger to Paul, even as humble as he was, that, because of the great revelations God gave him, pride could move in, and destroy Paul’s ministry, or worse. The Bible calls Paul’s thorn, a messenger of Satan. But stop and think a second… Was Satan interested in keeping Paul humble? Of course not. Just the opposite. Satan wanted Paul to get proud and puffed up, so he could kill, steal, and destroy.
So here’s the love and mercy and wisdom of God: Though Paul “besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from him”, God’s answer is, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Paul’s response? “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Cor. 12:9-10 KJV)
Now THAT is a ‘revelation’ that helped Paul to become the man that God would use to write half of the New Testament, and turn the world upside down!
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