2 Corinthians 12:7 –
even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.
This chapter is an interesting one, again Paul rambles and boasts. I wonder if it is him just stating what has happened and being self-conscious thinking it may seem like he is boasting. I know I get that way talking about my reading and studying, I almost don’t like telling people in one more chapter I will have finished my second read through the Bible. To me saying that is boasting and could make others feel bad, so I try not to blow my own trumpet. At the same time, I hope to encourage others to read and study daily, it’s amazing how fast you get through it when you start and how enlightening it becomes.
In this verse, Paul “humbling” comes in the form of a thorn in his side and there has been a bunch of speculation about what that was. Many think it was a physical problem, like an injury, a deformity or an illness like epilepsy that kept him humble. A common belief is that his “blindness” never really fully cleared up. Others believe it’s his persecution by the Romans and Jews. How many times did he receive 39 lashes, a flogging or time in prison? I know God humbles me often when I get proud. The ones I didn’t like were racing, because it usually meant a big crash, a major injury and lots of pain.
Another belief is that Paul’s thorn was a fleshly desire. Could it be he had a drinking problem? Or did he have a lustful heart? Did he regret previous persecutions of the Jews, actually killing many of his brothers? I have even heard it was “suppressed homosexuality” that was keeping him humble. Nothing supports these in scripture but “scholars” love to hypothesize about what may be the thorn. I like the “partial blindness” theory myself, because that’s a constant reminder that Christ appeared before him.
What are your thoughts on the “thorn” and what it may be? Also, as you finish the chapter what did you think about verse 13? Did Paul just get a major sarcastic tone? When he says, “The only thing I failed to do … was to become a financial burden to you. Please forgive me for this wrong!” To me that’s sarcasm at its finest. Finally look at the last verse and you may get some insight to Paul’s frustration with the people in Corinth, since many are not giving up their old ways. It’s like they want to enjoy the gifts of God without actually having to submit. This chapter gives you a bunch of things to ponder during the day.