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RP 112 THE DOCTRINE OF DIVINE HEALING

#7. Paul's Thorn in the Flesh was not a sickness

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#7. PAUL'S THORN IN THE FLESH WAS NOT A SICKNESS

Introduction 7: Why is "Paul's thorn in the flesh" such an important and controversial topic for us today? Simply because there are different beliefs about what Paul's thorn was, and some believe that it was a sickness, or physical infirmity, which God refused to heal him of. If this were true, and the apostle Paul was sick and couldn't get healed, then none of us can stand in faith for healing, because if God refused to heal Paul, and he does not change (Mal 3:6; Jam 1:17), how then can we expect him to heal us? If, while we are praying for healing, the devil can come to us and say, "My grace is sufficient for thee:" (2.Cor 12:8), and we believe that it is God speaking to us, how then could we fulfil the first condition to receive healing by faith, which is that we have no doubts?
(Mat 21:21) "If ye have faith, and doubt ¹ not,"
(Mark 11:23) "whosoever ... shall not doubt ¹ in his heart, but shall believe"
(Jam 1:6-7) "But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering ¹. For he that wavereth ¹ ... Let not that man thing that he shall receive anything of the Lord."
(Jam 5:15) "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick,"
The word translated doubt ¹ (Mat 21:21; Mark 11:23) is the same Greek verb "diakrinō", which is also translated wavering ¹, and wavereth ¹ (Jam 1:6). In context here, it means "to judge", "to dispute", or "to contend" in the mind, and thus "to doubt". Doubt about what God's will is, or about what God has said, is one of the devil's devices which he uses to deceive us, and rob us of the blessings which God has promised us. The first thing he said to Eve in the garden of Eden was, "Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?" (Gen 3:1). By suggesting that she could, he was trying to get Eve to doubt what God had said. When he saw that she knew what God had said, he tried to get her to doubt the consequences of it by saying, "Ye shall not surely die:" (Gen 3:4). Those who teach that Paul's thorn was a sickness cannot show us from scripture what that sickness was because the scripture does not say, but through speculation and supposition, they are doing the work of the devil by sowing doubts in the hearts of people who need to believe.
So we need to settle the issue according to the scripture, to show what Paul's thorn was, and remove the opportunity that the devil has to rob us of healing, through our own ignorance.
(Hos 4:6) "My people are destroyed through lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee."

#7.1 WEAKNESS NOT INFIRMITY

2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-10 (Paul)
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.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness ¹. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities ¹, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities ¹, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak ², then am I strong.

Note: The word translated infirmities ¹, and weakness ¹ (v9), and infirmities ¹ (v10), are all different forms of the same Greek noun a)sqe/neia (Gtr. astheneia), which can refer to weakness or infirmity, both physical and spiritual, depending upon the context. It is translated using the sense of "infirmity" (17 times), weakness" (5x), "sickness" (1x), and "diseases" (1x). In some cases when translated "infirmities" it should be taken as "weakness", or at least understood in a spiritual sense (Rom 6:9; 8:26; 2 Cor 11:30; 12:5; 12:9; 12:10; Gal 4:13; Heb 7:28 etc.). The word translated I am weak² (Gr. a)sqenw~, Gtr. asthenō) is the verb which corresponds with the noun "astheneia", and can also refer to weakness or sickness, again depending on the context. The question is, "What do they refer to in this context?" There are certain words which we would naturally contrast together: large and small, good and evil, light and dark etc. Here in these two verses, the word "astheneia" is contrasted with "strength" (Gtr. dunamis), which also means "power", while the word "asthenō" is contrasted with "strong" (Gtr. dunatos), which also means "mighty" or "powerful". So in both of these cases the translations "weakness" and "weak" are perfectly good; but we couldn't contrast "strength" with "sickness" or "disease" could we? We would have to contrast "sickness" or "disease" with "health". So what does it mean where it is translated "infirmities" (vv 9,10)? Considering that it is all the same context, it aught really to be translated "weaknesses" to be consistent. His weakness was his inability, of his own self, to cope with the physical consequences (See #7.5) which came upon him "in reproaches, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake:" (v10). He needed the grace of God to help him. Notice how he put it to the Galatians:
(Gal 4:13) "Ye know that how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first."
What "infirmity of the flesh" did Paul preach the gospel through? Not sickness, he preached through the consequences of "reproaches", "persecutions", and "distresses for Christ's sake:" (v10), and that is what his "thorn" was, people, who were inspired by "the messenger of Satan", persecuting and reproaching him.

#7.2 THE REASON WHY PAUL WAS GIVEN HIS "THORN"

2 CORINTHIANS 12:7 (Paul)
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.

Note: The reason why Paul was given his "thorn" was because of the abundance of revelations that he had. Paul said that his revelations came directly from Jesus (Gal 1:11-12), and he had so many that he was able to write a large portion of the New Testament. Once he was caught up into the third heaven where he heard "unspeakable words, which is not lawful for a man to utter." (2 Cor 12:2-4), and a person in such a position would be very vulnerable to be flattered and praised by people, who could cause him to be exalted and snared by the devil. Thus to counter the temptation to be exalted, God allowed people to persecute Paul to keep him humble. If Christians who are sick, think that they have Paul's thorn, then we need to ask "what abundance of revelations are you having?" because without them there was no need for his thorn, was there?

#7.3 THE MEANING OF "A THORN IN THE FLESH"

NUMBERS 33:55-56
55 But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.
56 Moreover it shall come to pass, that I shall do unto you, as I thought to do unto them.

JOSHUA 23:11-13 (Joshua)
11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God,
12 Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you;
13 Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.

JUDGES 2:2-3
2 And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this?
3 Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their Gods shall be a snare unto you.

EZEKIEL 28:24
24 And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any of grieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

Note: Why did Paul use such an expression as "a thorn in the flesh," (2 Cor 12:7) when describing his affliction to the Corinthians? If he was sick, why didn't he say that he was sick? He said that Epaphroditus was sick (Phps 2:26), and he also said that Trophimus was sick (2 Tim 4:20). So if a "thorn in the flesh" refers to sickness, why didn't Paul say that Epaphroditus had a "thorn in the flesh"? Why didn't he say that Trophimus had a "thorn in the flesh"? Where in the bible does it ever record anyone being healed of a "thorn in the flesh"? When people were sick or diseased, doesn't the bible state it plainly everywhere? God does not try to hide, or disguise the fact that Christians get sick, but rather set gifts of healing in the church (1 Cor 12:9), and ordained that the prayer of faith would heal the sick (Jam 5:15). Paul wasn't trying to confuse the Corinthians by referring to his affliction as a "thorn in the flesh", but he used terminology from the Old Testament, which explained his situation very well. He said that he believed, "all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:" (Acts 24:14), so he knew what these scriptures meant, and they would also be available to the Corinthians too. When the Israelites went into the promised land, they were told to destroy their enemies completely, and often they did (Num 21:35; Deut 2:33-34; Josh 6:21; 8:24), but when they did not obey, and
mixed with them, then they would vex them, and come back and persecute them in times of weakness. This situation still exists today with Israel, particularly with those nations around them who are possessors of the original land given to Joshua (Josh 1:4). Notice that a "thorn" always refers to people:
(Num 33:55) "those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns ¹ in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell."
(Josh 23:13) "these nations ... they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns ¹ in your eyes,"
(Christ 2:2-3) "the inhabitants of this land; ... they shall be as thorns in your sides,"
(Eze 28:24) "there shall be no more a pricking brier ... nor any of grieving thorn ² of all that are round about them, that despised them;"
In this last scripture, the word translated thorn ² (Hb. CwOq, Htr. qōts) is similarly translated elsewhere also. The fact that it does refer literally to a thorn is evident by its use everywhere. The word translated thorns ¹ (Hb. MnIynIc;, Htr. ts^enînîm) only occurs in twice (Num 33:55; Josh 23:13). In two of these scriptures (Num 33:55; Eze 28:24) the word used in the Septuagint (Gtr. skolops) to translate the Hebrew word "qōts", is the same word used by Paul when he referred to his "thorn in the flesh" (2.Cor 12:7). This shows us that this was exactly what Paul was referring to. Nowhere in scripture does a "thorn" ever refer to a sickness, or disease, or physical infirmity, but only to people who were a nuisance, or harassment. So why then would Paul ever use it in any other context? The answer is that he wouldn't. Paul used this terminology to convey to the Corinthians the exact nature of his affliction, just like we might refer to somebody who troubles us today as "a pain in the neck". Even though the Israelites suffered their "thorn" through disobedience, while Paul's was for his own safeguard against self exaltation, it does not alter the fact that a "thorn" refers to people who persecuted in both cases. Strictly speaking we could say that Paul's "thorn" was spiritually the messenger of Satan sent to buffet him (See #7.4), and physically the people who he used to persecute Paul (See #7.6). But to interpret a "thorn in the flesh" as a sickness, or physical infirmity, is a subtle ploy of the devil to steal the faith of ignorant Christians and keep them sick. Once we know that Paul's "thorn" was not a sickness, the devil will never be able to use it to stop us from getting healed. However, we now need to answer the question, "If a thorn in the flesh means persecution, why doesn't the bible say that other Christians had a thorn in the flesh"? because we have all been promised persecution (See #7.84 Note). The answer is that Paul's persecution was excessive in nature (2 Cor 11:23-25), and though many Christians were persecuted, some even to death (Acts 7:54-60), Paul's was over a prolonged period. His attitude was "I am more;", and he faced "deaths oft." (2 Cor 11:23). There is no evidence that anyone else had such prolonged and severe persecution through an evil angel being assigned against them individually. Why else would Jesus have a crown of thorns put on his head (Mat 27:29; Mark 15:17) if it was not to symbolize that he is the king of all those who are persecuted?

#7.4 THE MEANING OF "BUFFET"

2 CORINTHIANS 12:7 (Paul)
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 ¹ me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

MATTHEW 26:67-68
67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, Thou Christ, Who is it that smote thee?

MARK 14:65
65 And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy; and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

1 CORINTHIANS 4:11 (Paul)
11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place;

1 PETER 2:19-20
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory is it, if when ye are buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

Note: Did Paul say that this messenger of Satan was sent to make him sick? No, it was sent to "buffet" him (2 Cor 12:7), which literally means "to strike with blows". The verb translated buffet ¹ (Gr. kolafi/zw, Gtr. kolaphizō) comes from the noun "kolaphos", which means "a fist", and so means "to strike with the fist", or "to punch". So if this was what the messenger of Satan did to Paul, how could it ever refer to sickness, or physical infirmity? The same word is used of Jesus when he was on trial before his crucifixion, they "buffeted him;" (Mat 26:67; Mark 14:65). We could only honestly interpret this as a blow or a punch; it couldn't mean that they made him sick, could it? In fact, everywhere this word is used elsewhere (1.Cor 4:11; 1 Pet 2:20), taking it in context, it is always used of people persecuting, and that is what Paul's "thorn" was.

#7.5 HOW PAUL'S "THORN" AFFECTED HIS FLESH

2 CORINTHIANS 1:5-6 (Paul)
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:10-11 (Paul)
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be manifest in our mortal flesh.

2 CORINTHIANS 7:4-5 (Paul)
4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.
5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

2 CORINTHIANS 11:23-25 (Paul)
23 Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as a fool I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
25 Thrice I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day have I spent in the deep.

GALATIANS 4:13-14 (Paul)
13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
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.

GALATIANS 6:17 (Paul)
17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

PHILIPPIANS 3:10 (Paul)
10 That I might know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

COLOSSIANS 1:24 (Paul)
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church.

Note: A person can get to a place in Christ, walking in obedience and faith, where it is impossible for the devil to put sickness on him (Exo 15:26; Psa 91:9-10; 121:7; Pro 19:23; 26:2; Ecc 8:5; 1 John 5:18). Evidence that Paul was at this place was given when a viper bit him, and though he should have died, it had no effect on him at all (Acts 28:3-6). So when we look at how Paul described his sufferings in various places, not only was it impossible for them to refer to sickness, but they clearly indicate persecution for Christ's sake.
(2 Cor 1:5) "the sufferings of Christ abound in us,"
(2 Cor 4:10) "Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,"
(Gal 4:13) "through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel",
(Gal 4:14) "my temptation which was in my flesh",
(Gal 6:17) "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus."
(Col 1:24) "the afflictions of Christ in my flesh".
Notice where he said that his afflictions were, "in the body", "in my body", and "in my flesh", exactly where his "thorn" was. Notice also that elsewhere he refers to "the afflictions of the gospel" (2 Tim 1:8), and preaching the gospel "through infirmity of the flesh" (Gal 4:13). When he went into Macedonia, he said, "our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings," (2 Cor 7:5). This was persecution which came through casting a spirit of divination out of a woman at Philippi (Acts 16:18), which resulted in them being flogged and cast into prison (Acts 16:23). If we take note of how many times he was beaten and flogged (2 Cor 11:23-25), we can not only see how much his flesh must have been affected by his "thorn", but we can understand why he initially wanted to get rid of it.

#7.6 THE WORK OF THE MESSENGER OF SATAN

ACTS 13:49-50
49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts.

ACTS 14:1-2
1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude of Jews and also of Greeks believed.
2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren.

ACTS 14:19
19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.

ACTS 17:5
5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.

ACTS 17:13
13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

ACTS 20:19 (Paul)
19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations ¹, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

ACTS 21:27-28
27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him.
28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

Note 1: Having explained that the devil could not afflict Paul's body directly with sickness, or any other evil (See #7.5 Note), there was only one other way that God would ever allow Paul to be afflicted, and that was persecution. The work of "the messenger of Satan" can be seen in these passages where he not only stirred up the Jews against Paul, but also used them continually to stir up others against him, and to bring strong persecution against him wherever he went.
At Antioch (Acts 13:50) "the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city,"
At Iconium (Acts 14:2) "the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles,"
At Lystra (Acts 14:19) "certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, ... stoned Paul,"
At Thessalonica (Acts 17:5) "the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, ... set all the city on an uproar,"
At Berea (Acts 17:13) "the Jews of Thessalonica ... stirred up the people."
At Jerusalem (Acts 21:27) "the Jews which were of Asia, ... stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him."
Over forty Jews even went so far as to bind themselves under a curse, to eat or drink nothing until they had killed Paul (Acts 23:12-15), while in Asia the silversmith idol makers were used to stir people up against Paul in order to defend their craft (Acts 19:22-41). All of this, and much more, was the work of the messenger of Satan sent to buffet Paul, which shows again that his "thorn in the flesh" was people persecuting him, and not a sickness.

Note 2: The word translated temptations ¹ (Gr. peirasm&oj, Gtr. peirasmos) (Acts 20:19), is the same word which is also used in the phrase "my temptation which was in my flesh" (Gal 4:14; See #7.5 Note), where in context Paul is referring to his "thorn". Here Paul's temptations are specifically said to be, "by the lying in wait of the Jews". Thus Paul's "infirmity of the flesh" (Gal 4:13), which is the same as "my temptation ... in my flesh" (Gal 4:14), is now shown to be "by the lying in wait of the Jews:" (Acts 20:19). Again this shows that Paul's "thorn" was people persecuting him, and not a sickness.

Note 3: What was the message that the "messenger of Satan" came with? Just like the devil, who is "a liar, and the father of it." (John 8:44), this messenger came with a load of false accusations against Paul, which he used people to deliver:
(Acts 16:20-21) "These men, being Jews do exceedingly trouble our city. And teach customs which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans."
(Acts 17:7) "these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar,"
(Acts 18:13) "This (fellow) persuaded men to worship God contrary to the law."
(Acts 21:27) "This is the man that teacheth all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place."
(Acts 24:5-6) "For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
Who hath also gone about to profane the temple:"
Thus we can see how, by listening to all the lies told about Paul, people everywhere were stirred up against him.

#7.7 PAUL'S ATTITUDE TOWARD HIS "THORN"

2 CORINTHIANS 11:30 (Paul)
30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities.

2 CORINTHIANS 12:5, 9-10 (Paul)
5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.
9 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.
10 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.

Note: Just as Jesus, in the garden before his crucifixion, prayed three times for a possible escape from the persecution and the cross facing him (Mat 26:36-46), so Paul also sought God three times to escape his "thorn in the flesh" (2 Cor 12:8). Neither escaped what faced them. Jesus was strengthened by an angel (Luke 22:43) and "was heard in that he feared:" (Heb 5:7), while Paul was given grace to sustain him (2 Cor 12:9). So was Paul's attitude towards his "thorn" the same as people's attitude to their sicknesses, or was it a scriptural response to persecution? Well, after he had received his answer from God, and came to terms with it, his attitude towards it was summed up in two phrases: "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities," (v9), and "I take pleasure in infirmities," (v10). So he gloried in it, and took pleasure in it. This is hardly a person's attitude towards sickness is it? How many Christians are praying to become sick so that they can glory in it, and take pleasure in it? There is no glory in being sick. Most people who are sick are only too keen to get rid of it at any price. Some would give everything that they own to get rid of it, the woman with the issue of blood for example (Mark 5:25-26), but what attitude are we supposed to have towards persecution?
(Mat 5:11-12) "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
(Acts 5:41) "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."
(Jam 1:2) "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations ¹;"
(Jam 1:12) "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation ¹:"
(1 Pet 3:14) "And if ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye:"
(1 Pet 4:12-14) "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial ¹ which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified."
(1 Pet 4:16) "if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf."
Notice that a man gets blessed when he is persecuted (Mat 5:11), and also gets blessed when he endures temptation (Jam 1:12). The Greek word translated temptation ¹ (Gtr. peirasmos) is also translated temptations ¹ (Jam 1:2), and trial ¹ (1 Pet 4:12), where we are told to "count it all joy", and "rejoice". This is the same word which was used when Paul talked about "my temptation which was in my flesh" (Gal 4:14), referring to his "thorn", and " temptations , which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:" (Acts 20:19). This confirms again that his "thorn" refers to the trials and temptations, which came through persecutions, not sickness. These scriptures all show that the scriptural attitude towards persecution is to rejoice, be happy, and to glorify God, which was exactly Paul's attitude towards his "thorn", confirming again that his "thorn in the flesh " was people persecuting him, and not a sickness. 

#7.8 REASONS WHY PAUL WILLINGLY SUFFERED HIS "THORN"

#7.81 So that the power and life of Jesus could be manifested in his body

2 CORINTHIANS 4:10-11 (Paul)
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be manifest in our mortal flesh.

2 CORINTHIANS 12:9-10 (Paul)
9 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.
10 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.

GALATIANS 2:20 (Paul)
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Note: The scripture teaches that the more we conform ourselves to the suffering and self denial that Jesus also went
through, the more the power and the life of Christ is manifested in us. Thus the wounds which Paul bore in his body through persecution, were a likeness of the wounds which Jesus bore on the cross, and this is what he was referring to with statements like:
(2 Cor 1:5) "the sufferings of Christ abound in us,"
(2 Cor 4:10) "Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,"
(Gal 6:17) "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus."
(Col 1:24) "the afflictions of Christ in my flesh".
The result of this was that the power and life of Christ was manifested in his mortal body (2.Cor 4:10-11; Gal 2:20), and his weakness in his situation allowed the strength of Christ to be manifested through him (2 Cor 12:9). This enabled him to do all things which he could never do of his own strength and power (Phps 4:13), and was one reason why he gloried in it. Notice also that one of the results of persecution is that "the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you:" (1 Pet 4:14), just like Paul said, "that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Cor 12:9). Have you ever known the power of Christ rest upon someone because they were sick? Neither does the scripture teach it. Sickness is the power of the devil resting upon a person (Job 2:7; Luke 13:16; John 10:10; Acts 10:38), which confirms again that Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was the effects of persecution, and not a sickness.

#7.82 Because the more the affliction, the more they multiply

EXODUS 1:11-12
11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.
12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.

2 CORINTHIANS 1:5-6 (Paul)
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

PHILIPPIANS 1:12-13 (Paul)
12 But I would that ye understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

Note: God is a just God, and he has a way of compensating for unfair situations that a person encounters, especially those suffered for his sake. Notice for example, how God blessed Leah with children when Jacob loved Rachel more than her (Gen 29:30-31), and how the more the children of Israel were afflicted in Egypt, the more they multiplied (Exo 1:12). So Paul's compensation for the persecutions that he endured was that the power and life of Christ was manifest through him, and with more miracles and healings, so more people believed and were saved. To the Corinthians he said it was, "for your consolation and salvation" (2 Cor 1:6), and to the Philippians, "unto the furtherance of the gospel;" (Phps 1:12). Therefore Paul was prepared to accept his "thorn", and glory in it, because by enduring it God was blessing his ministry more.

#7.83 Because it encouraged others to speak the word of God boldly

PHILIPPIANS 1:12-14 (Paul)
12 But I would that ye understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;
13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

Note: Many people were afraid of persecution, but when they saw and heard the testimonies of Paul's deliverance through his persecutions, this gave them encouragement and a willingness to speak out more boldly about Jesus. So again, this would be a comfort to Paul to know this, and an encouragement to him to continue to endure.

#7.84 Because it proved that he was a joint-heir with Christ

ROMANS 8:16-18 (Paul)
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are ye not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

  Note: Paul knew what the scripture teaches, that suffering with Christ is an essential part of salvation:
(John 15:20) "If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you;"
(Rom 6:8) "if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him."
(Phps 1:29) "unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;"
(2 Tim 2:11-12) "If we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him,"
(2 Tim 3:12) "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."
(1 Pet 2:21) "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:"
(1 Pet 4:1) "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind,".
Paul even went so far as to say to the Corinthians, "your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer:" (2 Cor 1:6). He seems to make a condition of being joint-heir with Christ, "If so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together." (Rom 8:17). So Paul could rejoice in the certainty that he was a joint-heir with Christ, because of the sufferings that he endured for his sake, as foretold by Jesus (Acts 9:16).

#7.85 Because his suffering benefited the church

EPHESIANS 3:13 (Paul)
13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

COLOSSIANS 1:24 (Paul)
24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church.

Note: As has been explained before (See #7.83 Note), the more that Paul was prepared to endure, the more God was prepared to bless his ministry. Therefore he could expect God to answer his prayers which he was continually praying for the churches (Eph 1:15-23; 3:14-21; Col 1:9-14), and say that his sufferings were for the church's sake.

#7.86 Because his suffering glorified God

1 PETER 4:14
14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

Note: As all persecution for Christ's sake glorifies God, it was for God's glory that Paul endured his "thorn in the flesh". Sickness does not glorify God, healing does that (Mat 15:30-31; Luke 2:24-26; 7:12-16; 13:10-12; 17:12-15; 18:42-43), again showing that Paul's "thorn" was people persecuting him, and not a sickness.

#7.87 Because he had a great reward in heaven

MATTHEW 5:11-12 (Jesus)
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

JAMES 1:12
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation ¹: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Note: The word of God often indicates that after the resurrection, the righteous will get rewards for the works that they have done in this life (Mat 10:42; Luke 19:37; 1 Cor 3:13-14; 2 Tim 4:7-8; Rev 2:10; 22:12), and one of those rewards will be for the persecution that they have suffered for the sake of righteousness (Mat 5:11). The word translated temptation ¹ (Gtr. peirasmos) (Jam 1:12) has already been discussed earlier (See #7.6 Note 2; #7.7 Note) where it has been shown to be used concerning persecution, and Paul's "thorn in the flesh" in particular. Thus one very good reason why Paul was prepared to endure his "thorn" was because he knew that he had a great reward awaiting him in heaven.

#7.9 CONTRARY SCRIPTURES EXPLAINED

#7.91 The Galatians would have plucked their eyes out for Paul

GALATIANS 4:13-15 (Paul)
13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
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.
15 Where is 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.

Note 1: Some have tried to use this scripture to say that Paul had an eye affliction which was carried over from his blindness on the road to Damascus, and that the Galatians would have been willing to pluck their own eyes out and give them to him, if it would have helped him. Such reasoning is far removed from rightly dividing the word of God, and is contradicted by many scriptures, including this whole study. The Galatians plucking their eyes out would be an absurd solution, even if Paul did have an eye affliction, wouldn't it? Nowhere can we find in scripture where God failed to heal anybody properly, and when he healed Paul (Acts 9:17-18; 22:13), he was perfectly healed: "his work is perfect:" (Deut 32:4). We have also seen evidence that Paul was past the place of being afflicted by sickness (See #7.5 Note). Others have suggested that this was nothing more than a casual remark by Paul, similar to expressions today, "I would do anything for you", or "I would die for you", or "I would cut off my right arm for you". However, Paul was not a man for casual remarks, and in view Jesus words, "every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." (Mat 12:36-37), this explanation is unsatisfactory.

Note 2: So what does it mean? In the Old Testament when an important adversary was taken captive, the victors often took the captive's eyes out, as a permanent means of ensuring that he did not escape and oppose them again. The Philistines did it to Samson (Judg 16:21), and the Babylonians did it to Zedekiah (2 Kin 25:7).
When Paul became a Christian, in a sense he was "captured" from the world by Jesus. He referred to himself as, "I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ" (Eph 3:1), "the prisoner of the Lord," (Eph 4:1), "me his prisoner," (2 Tim 1:8), and "Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ," (Phmn 1). Having counted everything about his former life as loss, and referred to them as "dung" (Phps 3:8), Paul had effectively made his escape almost impossible, and became equivalent to a prisoner with his eyes taken out. When he said to the Galatians, "ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me." (Gal 4:15), he was expressing how willing they were, at that time, to voluntarily become prisoners of Christ along with him, giving themselves totally over to his teaching, in such a way that escaping again would have been almost impossible. However, this is not something that they could do in an instant, it takes time, and dedication in seeking God. Since that time they had in fact been seduced by false teachers, and had slipped back under the law (Gal 3:1-29; 4:1-31). Nevertheless, this explanation enables us to dispense with any idea that Paul had a physical eye affliction.

#7.92 Paul wrote a large letter

GALATIANS 6:11 (Paul)
11 Ye see how large ¹ a letter ² I have written ³ unto you with mine own hand.

Note: Those who have tried to make Paul's thorn some sort of eye affliction, have tried to use this scripture to say, that because of his impaired vision, Paul had to write with large letters. However, if we examine this verse carefully, we find some interesting facts:
     (1) The word translated how large¹ (Gr. phli/koij, Gtr. pēlikois) is the dative, plural, neuter, of the adjective "pēlikos", which primarily means "how large?" or "how great?", and can be used in a physical, figurative, or spiritual sense. It only occurs one other time in the New Testament, where it is translated "how great" (Heb 7:4), and where it refers to the spiritual stature of Melchizedek. So this could be applied here to mean that Paul's letters were spiritually great, which they certainly were. On the other hand, this word occurs twice in the Septuagint, where both times in the same verse it is translated "what" (Zec 2:2). In the first instance it literally means "how wide", and in the second instance "how long", referring to the size of Jerusalem. So it is not out of keeping with the use of this word for it to refer to the length of his writing, rather than the size of individual letters. Paul wrote letters to other churches, and instructed them to be passed round (Col 4:16), so each church would receive more than one letter to read. Also this agrees with the thought that this could have been the longest letter that Paul wrote with his own hand, the other longer ones being dictated.
     (2) The word translated a letter ² (Gr. gra&mmasin, Gtr. grammasin) is the dative, plural, of the noun "gramma". It can mean a letter in the sense of an alphabetical symbol (Luke 23:38; Rom 2:29; 2 Cor 3:6), or a letter in the sense of a writing of some sort (Luke 16:6; John 5:47; Acts 28:21). The latter fits perfectly with the previous point.
     (3) The word translated I have written ³ (Gr. e1graya, Gtr. egrapsa) is the first person, singular, aorist, indicative, active, of the verb "graphō", "I write". Literally this whole phrase translates as "see by (or with, or in) how great (or large) letters I wrote to you". Of course, Paul could be referring to certain passages where the letters were heavily written, thickened, or enlarged for emphasis, rather like we would use capitals or underlining when we wish to emphasize today; but as we have seen, it could also refer to the spiritual greatness, or the length of the letters that he wrote. Nevertheless, regardless of which one of these explanations we accept, Paul's thorn couldn't have been an eye affliction, this whole study disproves it.

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This is the end of this Bible Study about Paul's thorn in the flesh.