2 Corinthians 12:7-13
7: 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!
8: Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.
9: 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.
10: 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.
11: I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody.
12: The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.
13: For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
There are many speculations as to what specifically Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was. He didn’t go into detail, but we do know it was given to keep him from exalting himself due to the surpassing greatness of the revelations he was given. So, it was a humbling thing. He called it a messenger of Satan given to torment him. Twice he said it was to keep him from exalting himself. The term “thorn in the flesh” was used in Numbers 33:55 to describe what the inhabitants of the land of Canaan would become to the Israelites if they didn’t drive them out completely. So, some think it may have been a person or personality, or a temptation. Others say a physical infirmity. Paul didn’t give specifics.
When he asked the Lord three times for it to leave, the Lord responded by saying that His grace was sufficient. His grace was all he needed to deal with this thing, whatever it was. The Lord also said that power is perfected in weakness. If you have a weak muscle, exercise will strengthen it. In the same way, when we apply the grace of God to any area of weakness in our life—any inability or struggle to live by God’s standards—then we become stronger in that area. So, Paul said he would rather boast about his weaknesses, so the power of Christ would reside in Him. He was content with insults, distresses, persecution, and difficulties if it was for the sake of Christ because when he was weak, he was strong. In Christ we find all the strength we need to overcome whatever might be giving us resistance, and it is an opportunity to apply His grace and grow.
Paul thought it was foolish of him to commend himself like he was doing and said they should be the ones commending him since he performed all the signs of an apostle —signs, wonders, and miracles--when he was among them. The only thing different, was that he didn’t become a financial burden to them, and about that he sarcastically remarked, “forgive me this wrong!”
8: Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.
9: 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.
10: 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.
11: I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, for in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody.
12: The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles.
13: For in what respect were you treated as inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not become a burden to you? Forgive me this wrong!
***
There are many speculations as to what specifically Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was. He didn’t go into detail, but we do know it was given to keep him from exalting himself due to the surpassing greatness of the revelations he was given. So, it was a humbling thing. He called it a messenger of Satan given to torment him. Twice he said it was to keep him from exalting himself. The term “thorn in the flesh” was used in Numbers 33:55 to describe what the inhabitants of the land of Canaan would become to the Israelites if they didn’t drive them out completely. So, some think it may have been a person or personality, or a temptation. Others say a physical infirmity. Paul didn’t give specifics.
When he asked the Lord three times for it to leave, the Lord responded by saying that His grace was sufficient. His grace was all he needed to deal with this thing, whatever it was. The Lord also said that power is perfected in weakness. If you have a weak muscle, exercise will strengthen it. In the same way, when we apply the grace of God to any area of weakness in our life—any inability or struggle to live by God’s standards—then we become stronger in that area. So, Paul said he would rather boast about his weaknesses, so the power of Christ would reside in Him. He was content with insults, distresses, persecution, and difficulties if it was for the sake of Christ because when he was weak, he was strong. In Christ we find all the strength we need to overcome whatever might be giving us resistance, and it is an opportunity to apply His grace and grow.
Paul thought it was foolish of him to commend himself like he was doing and said they should be the ones commending him since he performed all the signs of an apostle —signs, wonders, and miracles--when he was among them. The only thing different, was that he didn’t become a financial burden to them, and about that he sarcastically remarked, “forgive me this wrong!”
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