What was the “thorn in the flesh” that Paul spoke of so cryptically in 2 Corinthians 2:7? The question is not settled among theologians, Bible scholars, or ordinary believers who read the Scriptures. No matter the education or intelligence of people who consider this, I think the opinion that people have is based on their own thorns. The problem comes down to the definition of the original New Testament word that Paul used and translators render to us as “flesh.” It can mean the blood, bone, muscle and nerves that we also call the body. He also uses the word in a spiritual way to indicate the sinful condition in which every human being is born. In Romans 7, Paul says, “I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing to do good is present in me but working good is not.” Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:24 (NASB) The word “thorn” throughout the Bible is the image of difficulty and hardship. Combine these two words together and we can understand that Paul had a chronic, vexing, physical or spiritual problem of some kind that he could not deal with on his own. But Paul gave us the way that he dealt with this problem,
“Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NASB)
The answer is in the grace of God in Christ Jesus in all its fullness. Paul taught us that grace justifies us before God (Romans 5:21-26); gives us the victory over sin (Romans 8:1-28, 31); teaches us to be godly (Titius 2:11); making us strong in weakness. We find that if we will give all our sin, weaknesses, difficulties, and personal problems to Jesus in faith, we will have the victory.
Perhaps I could add a personal example, as Paul did for us. When I finally came to full repentance in Jesus Christ, I was a middle-aged supervisor for a food distribution company. My language was harsh and vulgar, reflecting the environment where I worked. When Jesus saved me, my language changed immediately, almost. The words that I used were so ingrained into my mind that occasionally, when I was squeezed just right, out would come foul, sinful, hurtful words. It was embarrassing, because some my fellow workers delighted in my failures. But I read of Paul, who pleaded with the Lord to solve the problem. I received the same answer as Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you.” That is when I learned what it meant to give the problem to Jesus and rest in the grace of the Lord. I persisted in prayer for the solution to this problem. As time went on, my failures became fewer and farther between. Finally, evil words seemed to be foreign to my mind and I got the victory though Jesus Christ. There have been many other weaknesses in my life where Jesus has been faithful to be strong in me. Praise His name!
We should encourage one another with these words. We all have weaknesses. But the grace of the Lord Jesus is with us. Like Paul, we can share these experiences of strength through weakness in the firm conviction that if grace is sufficient for us, it is sufficient for all.
George Cargill