Paul's Thorn In The Flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

Q:

What was Paul's 'thorn in the flesh', and why did God refuse to remove it?

A:

Many of God's children believe that Paul was suffering from some sort of malady, or sickness. The Bible does not support this. The word thorn as Paul uses it can never be referred to or interpreted as a physical disorder. Keep in mind that Paul did a lot of preaching. He also made a lot of enemies. Those that followed Paul around from place to place, preached against what he was teaching. These individuals who were preaching against the Word of God were the messengers of Satan. In so doing they became a thorn in his flesh. Today we would say they are a pain in the neck. Does that mean the person saying that has pain in their neck or has a physical problem with their neck? No, it is only a metaphor. Paul asked God to remove this thorn in the flesh. God said to Paul that His grace is sufficient to overcome this "pain in the neck" issue, and not to worry about it. God’s grace is more than sufficient to get us through any situation. For it is by grace that we are saved. Glory to God!

The other popular theory is that Paul had some sort of eye or vision problem. Learned scholars support this theory by quoting Gal. 4:15-16. Here Paul is saying to the Galatains that ye would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. Paul is just simply stating here that the Galatains loved him so much that they would have given up one of their most important physical assets, and given it to him. It is the same thing as someone saying today, I would have given my right arm for that person. Another verse being used by learned people to prove that Paul had difficulties with his eyes is found in Galatians 6:11. We read where Paul states "Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand". Scholars are teaching others that Paul had to write with large letters so he could see them. Paul is just simply stating here that he has written a long letter. He didn’t say he was writing with large letters, but just a large or long letter.

You cannot use one or two scriptures, such as these to prove a point or to support your own theory. If your theory does not line-up with all the rest of the Word of God then my best advice is to abandon that theory. It will only get you into trouble. When you know the truth, it will make you free!

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