What was Paul’s thorn in the flesh? Was it a sickness God gave him to keep him humble?
Many people believe that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was a sickness that God gave him to keep him humble. Paul had to deal with sickness just as we do, but God wasn’t the one causing it. The Bible teaches us that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was not a sickness, but a demon, or evil angel, assigned by the devil to attack him.
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
(2 Cor. 12:7-10 NKJ)
The word “messenger” in verse seven is the same Greek word that is translated as “angel” elsewhere in the Bible. An angel of Satan was Paul’s thorn in the flesh.
God does not subcontract the devil to attack His children. The devil sent this evil angel on his own accord. The reason for this was so that Satan would buffet Paul, or cause problems to come into Paul’s life. The problems that this evil angel used to buffet Paul can be found in verse ten.
Paul was made weak (infirmities), brought into distress, and reproached, because of persecution brought about by this evil angel. The devil has the power to influence people (Job 1:1-22). This is what the angel did to Paul and caused people to come against him.
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Joe Cameneti Sr. is the lead pastor of Believers Church, located in his hometown of Warren, Ohio. Pastor Joe, along with his wife Gina, pioneered Believers Church in 1983 following his graduation from Bible School.
In addition to leading a thriving local church, Pastor Joe is the host of a weekly show called "BCTV." The program is aired locally on WFMJ, the NBC affiliate, reaching thousands weekly.
Pastor Joe is a gifted communicator, skilled in the art of building bridges to unchurched America. Transparent and authentic, you'll walk away challenged and encouraged to connect with God in a deeper way.