THORN IN THE FLESH

GOD'S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

New International Version (NIV)

 

7 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.

8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.

9 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.

10 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.

STEPS TO DEVELOPING HUMILITY

Humility looks to God for what it needs. Humility is not shocked to discover its own weaknesses, having learned to trust God’s strength. Nor do the humble take faith for granted, always drawing near to God, distrusting self.

•  Allow Jesus’ strength to be exhibited and exalted through your weakness. 
• Know that His grace is large enough to meet you in your  problems.

12:7-10 Because of some ambiguities, it seems very unwise to form dogmatic conclusions about certain particulars of this section. What is clear, however, is a thorn in the flesh (an intense weary difficulty or affliction) had come by means of a messenger of Satan (probably a demonically instigated assault). God’s providence clearly allowed this (grammatically, a "divine passive," indicating God as the unseen Agent overseeing the entire process) that Paul might avoid being exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations.

Though it is futile to try to identify the "thorn," it caused Paul great consternation and ultimately served a good purpose, becoming the occasion for a revelation to him of the overcoming race of god, which proved sufficient in the midst of Paul’s weakness (v.9).

We must also note that though God does not respond to Paul’s repeated pleading that it might depart from him by removing it, there is no indication God is upset with Paul for so pleading. In fact, Jesus’ answer (v.9) indicates God’s concern to respond howbeit differently than Paul had prayed.

Finally, it is important to note that Jesus’ answer was not seen by Paul as punitive, nor did it cause him to resign himself to buffering with a defeatist attitude. Rather, it affirmed in Paul that whenever Satan strikes him (either directly as the destructive adversary or indirectly as God’s controlled agent to bring about character development) he can glory in his infirmities because Jesus’ grace and strength will be sufficient to enable him to continue in his apostolic ministry. Neither the thorn, any messenger of Satan, nor any character-refining test from God will cause him to cease serving God.  He can therefore take pleasure … for when he is personally weak, then he can be strong in Jesus.

In Christ,

Janet Irene Thomas

Director/Producer/Playwright

Screenwriter/Gospel Lyricist

Founder/CEO

Bible Stories Theatre of

Fine & Performing Arts