What Was Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh? A Piece Of Encouragement

2Co 12:7 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.

skolops
skol'-ops
Perhaps form the base of G4628 and G3700; withered at the front, that is, a point or prickle (figuratively a bodily annoyance or disability): - thorn.

skelos
skel'-os
Apparently from σκέλλω skellō (to parch; through the idea of leanness); the leg (as lank): - leg.

Parch- make or become dry through intense heat.

Gal 4:13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
Gal 4:14 And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
Gal 4:15 Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

MyChristianPundit said:

Today I would like to share something brief about Paul's thorn in the flesh to encourage faithful believers. The phrase comes from 2 Corinthians 12:7–10, where Paul says:

“…there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from becoming conceited.”

Paul doesn’t name the exact “thorn,” but the passage gives several clues to its purpose and effect.


The Purpose of the Thorn

Paul makes it very clear why the thorn was allowed:

• To keep him humble

Because Paul had received extraordinary spiritual revelations, God allowed this thorn so he wouldn’t become prideful.

• To teach him to rely on God’s grace

God answered Paul’s prayer by saying:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

If we look at the life of Paul, we can see that he lived as a faithful servant — yet he faced several challenges.

This should remind us that, in this life, we are not exempt from pain and suffering

Sometimes God delivers us from a problem; other times He gives us the strength to face it.

I pray the Lord gives you the strength to walk through the fires of affliction without being harmed in Jesus' name.

“When I am weak, then I am strong.”
—2 Corinthians 12:10

God loves you, Jesus loves you,

Stay blessed.

MyChristianPundit

Click to expand...

Yes, and we can learn patience and humility by accepting critics on CC as God’s thorns.

From Strong's Concordance on Paul's thorn

https://biblehub.com/greek/4647.htm

Interpretive Views on Paul’s “Thorn”

1. Physical Malady: Early Christian writers (e.g., Tertullian, Chrysostom) proposed eye disease, malaria, migraine, or epilepsy.
2. Spiritual Opposition: Others regard hostile individuals or false apostles (2 Corinthians 11:13) as the “messenger of Satan,” seeing the thorn as persecution.
3. Psychological Struggle: Some modern commentators suggest deep emotional distress or anxiety for the churches.

Scripture intentionally leaves the exact nature unidentified, keeping the focus on God’s purpose rather than the ailment itself. The ambiguity encourages every believer facing chronic hardship to find solidarity with Paul.

Theological Significance

• Divine Sovereignty and Human Weakness: The thorn demonstrates that God may permit adversity both to humble His servants and to magnify His strength (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).
• Suffering as Ministry Catalysis: Instead of disqualifying Paul, the thorn authenticated his apostolic authority by showcasing Christ’s power amid frailty.
• Prayer and Submission: Paul prayed three times for removal (2 Corinthians 12:8). The divine “No” became a greater “Yes” of sustaining grace, modeling persevering prayer that yields to God’s wise answer.

Pastoral and Ministry Implications

• Encouragement for Enduring Trials: Believers can interpret persistent hardships through the lens of sanctification rather than divine displeasure.
• Guarding Against Pride: Spiritual successes may incubate conceit; ongoing vulnerability keeps the servant reliant on God.
• Counseling Perspective: When ministering to those with chronic pain or unresolved struggles, Paul's testimony shifts the conversation from “Why?” to “How is God’s strength being displayed?”
• Missional Effectiveness: Weakness does not hinder gospel advance; it amplifies Christ’s credibility when His power sustains fragile vessels (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Synthesis

Strong’s Greek 4647 encapsulates the paradox of redemptive suffering. Standing in continuity with Old Testament imagery and enriched by Pauline experience, the “thorn” illustrates how God turns Satan’s torment into a tool for humility, grace, and effective witness. What pierces the flesh can, by divine design, fortify the spirit and exalt the Savior.

2 Corinthians 12 v 9-10 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong

MyChristianPundit said:

Today I would like to share something brief about Paul's thorn in the flesh to encourage faithful believers. The phrase comes from 2 Corinthians 12:7–10, where Paul says:

“…there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from becoming conceited.”

Paul doesn’t name the exact “thorn,” but the passage gives several clues to its purpose and effect.


The Purpose of the Thorn

Paul makes it very clear why the thorn was allowed:

• To keep him humble

Because Paul had received extraordinary spiritual revelations, God allowed this thorn so he wouldn’t become prideful.

• To teach him to rely on God’s grace

God answered Paul’s prayer by saying:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

If we look at the life of Paul, we can see that he lived as a faithful servant — yet he faced several challenges.

This should remind us that, in this life, we are not exempt from pain and suffering

Sometimes God delivers us from a problem; other times He gives us the strength to face it.

I pray the Lord gives you the strength to walk through the fires of affliction without being harmed in Jesus' name.

“When I am weak, then I am strong.”
—2 Corinthians 12:10

God loves you, Jesus loves you,

Stay blessed.

MyChristianPundit

Click to expand...

Thank you, God leads, as I M Learning this too
Luke 21:14-15 time to rest Hebrews 4:9-13, to remember I am dead too the first born flesh and alive to God by God in risen Son for me, and not be proud over it as if better than anyone else ever, thanks for this reminder poster. Luke 18:9-14