A Thorn In The Flesh

This evening we are going to look at a passage of Scripture that is related to the subject matter of healing. In the Scripture we discover that our God is a God of healing. He says in Exodus 15:26, “I am the Lord who heals you.” We also read that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, heals us as well, for Isaiah 53:5 says, “By His stripes we are healed,” and 1 Peter 2:24 says, “By whose stripes you were healed.” In reference to Jesus, Malachi 4:2 tells us, “The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings.” We know that these references to Jesus speak about our spiritual healing; however, the Lord does desire to heal us physically as well, or else James wouldn’t say, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of Jesus” (James 4:14).

We know that the Lord is able to heal us physically; however, sometimes we just aren’t healed, and at other times we are only healed partially. Tonight we are going to look at one possible reason why we are sometimes not healed, as we examine an illness that the apostle Paul wrestled with for most of his Christian life. He struggled with what he called his “thorn in the flesh,” thus the title of our message for this evening – “A Thorn in the Flesh.” Let us now stand in honor of the reading of God’s Word.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul said in verse 7 that he was given a “thorn in the flesh” in order to keep him humble in light of the recent revelations he had received. Paul had just received a revelation of heaven that was so grand and glorious that it can only be equaled by that of John’s, when he had his experience on the island of Patmos, in which he wrote the book of Revelation.

This thorn in the flesh “buffeted” Paul, meaning that it attacked him and beat him. He also said that it was an infirmity (v. 9), or it was a weakness or disease unto him. So, what was this thorn in the flesh, and what was the point for Paul enduring such hardship as a result of it? There are two clues that help us in understanding what this thorn in the flesh could have been. The first clue is found in the use of the word “infirmity,” and the second clue is seen in the phrase “a messenger of Satan.” We are going to explore both of these clues in an attempt to gain an understanding of this thing that Paul called a “thorn in the flesh.”

First off, Paul mentioned the thorn in the flesh as being an infirmity or sickness. This thorn in the flesh could have been a physical ailment. It has been suggested that Paul was suffering from a medical condition known as “acute opthalmia,” which is a problem with one’s eyesight due to exposure to extremely bright light.(1) In Acts chapter 9, verses 1-9, during his Damascus road experience, a bright light blinded Paul. Later on, in Acts 9:17, he was healed when a disciple named Ananias laid hands on him; however, it’s been suggested that God allowed this condition to return during times when it was absolutely necessary for Paul to fully lean on the Lord.

The basis for this speculation of Paul having an eye condition is derived from Galatians 4:13-15, in which Paul seems to be referring to his thorn in the flesh. In this passage Paul said, “You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you . . . And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me.”

We find here that in relation to Paul mentioning a physical infirmity, he said to the Galatians, “I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me,” indicating that this infirmity could have been a sight issue. Then in Galatians 6:11 Paul said, “See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand,” indicating that he had to write in large letters in order to see what he was writing.