7 And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; 9 but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Cor 12
Your input on the thorn??
I think it relates to Paul’s eye problem
“Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. 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. 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.”
Galatians 4:13-15 KJV
a thorn in the flesh is meaning a hindrance to his ministry an infirmity that made it harder for him to acc give his mission . I think he was asking God to heal his eyes because they were hindering him , but Gods response was essentially “ no , my grace will see you through in spite of the thorn you bear “
“And he said unto me,
My grace is sufficient for thee: for
my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV
He’s adressing a weakness in Paul’s flesh Paul eas hoping it would be removed to make it easier but he responds how gods grace shines through when there’s a physical issue a weakness , gods grace can overcome our physical issues and make us fruitful even though we have a struggle in the flesh
pauls adressing a physical infirmity he asked for it to be removed but it remained and Gods grace strengthened him to accomplish his goals even with his thorn
“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.”
2 Corinthians 12:7
a Paul eas given a physical infirmity because the revelations he was receiving were so true moor rant and big it kept him from flirting in his own worth and abilities and kept him focused on the grace he needed daily to accomplish his tasks
aim guessing it’s an eye issue because he makes references such as talking about how large the letters he writes are , and also explaining that his infirmity brought him to preach at Galatia , and then he says of them how they receives him lovingly he says “ I had that infirmity that brought me to you and you received me and cared for me I testify that if you could have you would have taken out your own eyes and given them to me “
at here are a few references he makes that suggest he had an eyes issue after he was converted which given the circumstance also sort of fits
“And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”
Acts 9:8-9, 18 KJV
It seems God used this issue of sight to keep Paul from exalting himself
“
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.”
physical issues have a loud voice inside the person
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