Bible Study Believers Thorn In The Flesh

Have you ever given much thought to a thorn in the flesh. Paul had his given to him because of the abundance of revelation, lest he be exalted, 2 Cor. 12:7,
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 be exalted above measure.
Have you ever noticed when you do a service for the lord things begin to heat up, spiritual.
The scriptures seem to open up and revelation and understanding begin to flow, but not without a thorn in the flesh.
It may be as casual as giving yourself to understand the things of God.
Once revelation begins it does not stop for the believer.
The Father in His time has waited for the C&S gang (circumstances and situations) to bring about a maturing son that can handle family business.
They have learned the family spirit (adoption) and begin to express the ways and life of their new family.
It reminds me of the Rockefellers, I'm told they are put under Tutors and Governors, instructors, as children, to learn how the family business is to work.
To be taught how father Rockefeller wants things to operate and be able to handle family business.
The instructors know what father Rockefeller wants and teachs that child the ways of the family.
From time to time father Rockefeller checks in with the instructors to see how the child is doing in their growth.
Gal. 4:1-2, says we to are heirs of God and are placed under the tutoring of this world, though he be lord of all.
Circumstances and situations become your instructors, until the time appointed of the Father.
4 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;
2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.

Galatians 4:
15 Where then is that gratulation of yourselves? for I bear you witness, that, if possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.

Is it possible that this was the thorn in Pauls flesh?

Galatian 6:11 See with how large letters I write unto you with mine own hand.
Maybe so!

barelohim said:

Galatians 4:
15 Where then is that gratulation of yourselves? for I bear you witness, that, if possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.

Is it possible that this was the thorn in Pauls flesh?

Galatian 6:11 See with how large letters I write unto you with mine own hand.
Maybe so!

Click to expand...

Verse 7 says what Pauls thorn was,
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.

I have heard alot of explanations of Pauls thorn. Many of my faith healer friends had to dance around it because this verse can mess up the flesh image.
I had my own explanations as well, being in that type of ministry for a time.
Simple fact is, if the verse is read the way it is written, it is very clear.

Paul's thorn in the flesh was that of Satan's messenger trying to buffet him. Buffet here means to strike repeatedly as Satan used his demons to come against Paul and persecute him everywhere he went. Paul prayed three times for God to take these persecutions away and God said no as God said "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness".

God is not going to keep us from being persecuted as even His own Son Christ Jesus was persecuted to death on the cross and many martyrs after him in other ways, even so still today as many are persecuted even to death for the witness of Christ. God gives us His power and authority through His grace to give us strength when we are persecuted like Paul said:

2Corinthians 12:9 Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Corinthians 12:10 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.

Act 9:15; 2 Corinthians 4:8-12; Galatians 5:11; 2 Timothy3:10, 11; 1 Corinthians 15:30-32; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18; 6:3-10; 11:23-28; 12:5-10; Galatians 4:13, 15

2Co 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
2Co 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
2Co 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
2Co 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
2Co 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
2Co 6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
2Co 6:9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
2Co 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

barelohim said:

Galatians 4:
15 Where then is that gratulation of yourselves? for I bear you witness, that, if possible, ye would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me.

Is it possible that this was the thorn in Pauls flesh?

Galatian 6:11 See with how large letters I write unto you with mine own hand.
Maybe so!

Click to expand...

Yes, Paul may have been still partly blind, which reminded him of his conversion. That is why he writes in large print and says if others understood his suffering they would offer him their eyes.

I recently heard a man, of whom I respect greatly say that Paul's thorn was bad eyesight like many other teachers. I believe that they are wrong. I agree with Soul man....

Soul man said:

Simple fact is, if the verse is read the way it is written, it is very clear.

Click to expand...

And, I agree with Glory Girl....

for_his_glory said:

Paul's thorn in the flesh was that of Satan's messenger trying to buffet him. Buffet here means to strike repeatedly as Satan used his demons to come against Paul and persecute him everywhere he went.

Click to expand...

Personally, I believe that the following are the results of that messenger of Satan's thorn....
2Corinthians 11:23 "Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one—I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.
11:24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one.
11:25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;
11:26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers;
11:27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.
11:28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches."

As Soul man and Glory Girl says, The Scripture says, "a messenger of Satan"!!

I think brother Paul's thorn was the pains he suffered being a converted pharisee who at one time in his life persecuted the truth seekers among his own Jewish family.
He was a man divided as I read it. Highly educated in Torah, convicted to believe and follow the Messiah it prophesied and yet that its edicts sought murdered under Roman law, man's law. He was both blessed and cursed. Blessed by the Father and his leading. Cursed by those whom he use to be one with in the temple and that faith that still awaits the savior.

A message to all of us maybe. As we live in Christ and navigate the perils of the world that is opposed to him and his truth. A truth that rises above everything considered right and populare on this plain.

My main belief about Paul's thorn is that he persecuted Christians before he became one himself.
Paul was on satan's side then turned against him. That must have upset him
But I am sure Paul never forgot those Christians he condemned. Psychologically, there would have been no reprieve, or justification, to reverse the guilt and remorse of his past.