"Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Cor.12:6-10
In this passage, Paul is teaching us about the grace of God, which is undeserved favor, and how God's power is most evident in his weakness. If one were to research the significance of this "messenger of Satan," it would reveal that it refers to an angel of Satan. This further supports the idea that demons, the evil spirits serving Satan, are actually fallen angels. This demonstrates that God does not always intervene to heal, as sometimes our struggles are meant for our own benefit. There have been various speculations regarding the thorn in Paul's flesh, including:
(1) Temptations from the Devil;
(2) Opposition from adversaries;
(3) Severe physical pain;
(4) A recurring physical ailment like eye issues; or
(5) Some form of mental or emotional distress.
Regardless of the nature of the thorn, it was a tool of Satan. Although it was sent by Satan, it was permitted by God to maintain Paul's humility. Similar to the story of Job, while Satan was the direct instigator, God was the ultimate orchestrator.
We must not question this answer from God. For some reason, Paul could minister better with the infirmity, than he could without it. Since Paul had this weakness, he was very aware that his strength was in Christ. It would be perfectly obvious to everyone Paul ministered to, that Paul's power was in God. God ministered through Paul. It is important not to doubt the answer received from God. Paul found that he could serve more effectively with his weakness than without it. Because of his weakness, Paul understood that his strength came from Christ. It was evident to everyone he ministered to that the power Paul possessed came from God, who worked through him. The use of the present tense in the phrase "is sufficient" emphasizes the continual presence of divine grace. Despite Paul's request, God chose not to remove the thorn but instead provided him with the grace to endure it continuously. The present tense of the verb translated “is sufficient” reveals the constant availability of divine grace. God would not remove the thorn, as Paul had requested, but would continually supply him with grace to endure it. “My strength is made perfect in weakness” shows that the weaker the human instrument, the more clearly God’s grace shines forth.
Comments