- Sep 10, 2021
- 4,843
- 4,255
Enduring Spiritual Attacks, Knowing The Glory Of God Rests Upon You
Do you suffer from spiritual attacks? As Peter will state, if so you should never consider it a strange thing when fiery trials come upon you. When they happen to the children of God they are almost never an accident. Satan assigns demonic spirits and even princes sometimes to attack us and make our lives difficult. And not only can they manipulate men and women into attacking our hearts and lives, they can also simply attack us directly through depression, anxiety and fear. The spiritual war is very real, and those who are effectively declaring the name of Christ Jesus before the world in some way must be prepared to endure trails and opposition. The encouragement Peter will give, however, is that they can take it as a sign the glory of God rests upon them, for none of it will be happening by accident.
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
Like the passage before, this one again displays how much Peter's theology actually had in common with Paul's in some ways, specifically regarding his teaching on the "thorn in the flesh." Paul came to the conclusion that his trials and sufferings were by no means a coincidence either, specifically because he became aware that "an angel of Satan" had been assigned to him to spiritually arrange for persecution to come against him no matter where he went.
1 I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which are not permitted for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 7 And lest I should be lifted up because of the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan that he might batter me, that I not be lifted up. (2 Corinthians 12:1-7)
Though commonly misinterpreted and misunderstood, Paul was talking here about an angel who had been assigned to raise up persecution against him no matter where he went. And the objective was clear: Satan knew Paul had received "exceedingly great revelations from God," some of which he was not even permitted to speak yet, so he assigned a high ranking prince to persecute and vilify Paul no matter where he went, so that people would be discouraged from listening to him. The angel was the one instigating and arranging things so that Paul be repeatedly "battered" through physical attacks and many turn away from him because of it, so that Paul not be "lifted up" in the eyes of men concerning all the revelations he had been given.
The Greek word for "lifted up" here was ὑπεραίρω and a synonym for the word Peter used in our next passage, where he will teach the same principle. Younger believers who stay faithful to God will eventually be lifted up in the sight of others, and placed in leadership positions in due time if they stay humble and submit themselves to their leaders:
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submitted to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may lift you up in due time, 7 casting all your anxieties upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:5-7)
Some people teach that the word ὑπεραίρω in 2 Corinthians 12 means this angel did not want Paul "to become conceited," but this is highly illogical. It assumes Satan would want to keep the servants of God from becoming prideful and arrogant, but why would he do this? Satan knows very well that conceit will destroy a man of God, and cause him to take glory upon himself, bringing shame to the Lord Jesus Christ in the process. By extension, he is certainly smart enough to know he would be thwarting his own purposes by keeping the servants of God humble, for then God would be pleased with them and use them all the more for even greater purposes. In reality, the common interpretation makes no sense in terms of the spiritual war, and is little more than an illogical tradition.
An Angel Of Satan
The common interpretation here is that Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was some sort of mysterious illness, but the actual wording Paul used was ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ, or literally an "angel of Satan." The word means messenger, but the number of times it is translated "angel" in the New Testament is literally hundreds to one, and Paul didn't just refer to it as an angel, but qualified it as an angel "of Satan." Moreover, ἄγγελος was masculine, so the rest of the sentence reads, ἵνα με κολαφίζῃ, or "that he might batter me." κολαφίζῃ means “to beat with the fist,” so the imagery Paul was creating was of someone physically battering him, or subjecting him to violence. In terms of reality, he meant that this angel was arranging so that Paul was continually being subjected to beatings and scourgings in an effort to keep him from preaching the gospel. As he attested in his own letters, Paul was not just beaten once or twice, but repeatedly throughout his ministry.
It was therefore no accident, and this is why Peter likewise told his readers, "Do not think it is strange when you endure spiritual attacks," or in other words "Don't think it's a coincidence." The glory of God rested upon the apostle Paul over the revelations he had received, and for naming the name of Christ, and as a result the Devil was physically attacking him over it. As Paul told the Thessalonians in one place:
17 Brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, we endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you — even I, Paul, time and again — but Satan hindered us. (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18)
Paul endured constant opposition from the enemy no matter where he went or who he was around. As he told the Corinthians, it didn't matter whether he was around Jews or Gentiles, or on sea or dry land, he was constantly being attacked. No matter where he went, people were being manipulated into subjecting him to violence, and his life was in constant danger.
24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 and besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my anxieties over all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:24-28)
How then would an angel of Satan accomplish all this? This appears to have been a higher ranking prince, one with authority and jurisdiction who could command other demons, so that in no matter what region Paul entered, the angel could command lesser demons with influence over men to attack him. On other occasions men were goaded into making decisions designed to destroy Paul, such as when the sailors who were transporting him to Rome elected to sail directly into a storm instead of listening to him and waiting. Nevertheless, God protected the apostle supernaturally, and always prevented him from being killed:
20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. 21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 But take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 However, we must run aground on a certain island.” (Acts 27:20-26)
Do you suffer from spiritual attacks? As Peter will state, if so you should never consider it a strange thing when fiery trials come upon you. When they happen to the children of God they are almost never an accident. Satan assigns demonic spirits and even princes sometimes to attack us and make our lives difficult. And not only can they manipulate men and women into attacking our hearts and lives, they can also simply attack us directly through depression, anxiety and fear. The spiritual war is very real, and those who are effectively declaring the name of Christ Jesus before the world in some way must be prepared to endure trails and opposition. The encouragement Peter will give, however, is that they can take it as a sign the glory of God rests upon them, for none of it will be happening by accident.
12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; 13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. 14 If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
Like the passage before, this one again displays how much Peter's theology actually had in common with Paul's in some ways, specifically regarding his teaching on the "thorn in the flesh." Paul came to the conclusion that his trials and sufferings were by no means a coincidence either, specifically because he became aware that "an angel of Satan" had been assigned to him to spiritually arrange for persecution to come against him no matter where he went.
1 I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which are not permitted for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my weaknesses. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 7 And lest I should be lifted up because of the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan that he might batter me, that I not be lifted up. (2 Corinthians 12:1-7)
Though commonly misinterpreted and misunderstood, Paul was talking here about an angel who had been assigned to raise up persecution against him no matter where he went. And the objective was clear: Satan knew Paul had received "exceedingly great revelations from God," some of which he was not even permitted to speak yet, so he assigned a high ranking prince to persecute and vilify Paul no matter where he went, so that people would be discouraged from listening to him. The angel was the one instigating and arranging things so that Paul be repeatedly "battered" through physical attacks and many turn away from him because of it, so that Paul not be "lifted up" in the eyes of men concerning all the revelations he had been given.
The Greek word for "lifted up" here was ὑπεραίρω and a synonym for the word Peter used in our next passage, where he will teach the same principle. Younger believers who stay faithful to God will eventually be lifted up in the sight of others, and placed in leadership positions in due time if they stay humble and submit themselves to their leaders:
5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submitted to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may lift you up in due time, 7 casting all your anxieties upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:5-7)
Some people teach that the word ὑπεραίρω in 2 Corinthians 12 means this angel did not want Paul "to become conceited," but this is highly illogical. It assumes Satan would want to keep the servants of God from becoming prideful and arrogant, but why would he do this? Satan knows very well that conceit will destroy a man of God, and cause him to take glory upon himself, bringing shame to the Lord Jesus Christ in the process. By extension, he is certainly smart enough to know he would be thwarting his own purposes by keeping the servants of God humble, for then God would be pleased with them and use them all the more for even greater purposes. In reality, the common interpretation makes no sense in terms of the spiritual war, and is little more than an illogical tradition.
An Angel Of Satan
The common interpretation here is that Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was some sort of mysterious illness, but the actual wording Paul used was ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ, or literally an "angel of Satan." The word means messenger, but the number of times it is translated "angel" in the New Testament is literally hundreds to one, and Paul didn't just refer to it as an angel, but qualified it as an angel "of Satan." Moreover, ἄγγελος was masculine, so the rest of the sentence reads, ἵνα με κολαφίζῃ, or "that he might batter me." κολαφίζῃ means “to beat with the fist,” so the imagery Paul was creating was of someone physically battering him, or subjecting him to violence. In terms of reality, he meant that this angel was arranging so that Paul was continually being subjected to beatings and scourgings in an effort to keep him from preaching the gospel. As he attested in his own letters, Paul was not just beaten once or twice, but repeatedly throughout his ministry.
It was therefore no accident, and this is why Peter likewise told his readers, "Do not think it is strange when you endure spiritual attacks," or in other words "Don't think it's a coincidence." The glory of God rested upon the apostle Paul over the revelations he had received, and for naming the name of Christ, and as a result the Devil was physically attacking him over it. As Paul told the Thessalonians in one place:
17 Brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, we endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you — even I, Paul, time and again — but Satan hindered us. (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18)
Paul endured constant opposition from the enemy no matter where he went or who he was around. As he told the Corinthians, it didn't matter whether he was around Jews or Gentiles, or on sea or dry land, he was constantly being attacked. No matter where he went, people were being manipulated into subjecting him to violence, and his life was in constant danger.
24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 and besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my anxieties over all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:24-28)
How then would an angel of Satan accomplish all this? This appears to have been a higher ranking prince, one with authority and jurisdiction who could command other demons, so that in no matter what region Paul entered, the angel could command lesser demons with influence over men to attack him. On other occasions men were goaded into making decisions designed to destroy Paul, such as when the sailors who were transporting him to Rome elected to sail directly into a storm instead of listening to him and waiting. Nevertheless, God protected the apostle supernaturally, and always prevented him from being killed:
20 Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up. 21 But after long abstinence from food, then Paul stood in the midst of them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. 22 But take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, 24 saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25 Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. 26 However, we must run aground on a certain island.” (Acts 27:20-26)
