BEN F. VICK, JR.
“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. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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.” (2 Cor. 12:7-10.)
If my readers thought that I would reveal what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was, they would be decidedly disappointed. I do not intend to join the many speculating commentators as to what his thorn in the flesh was. Opinions are like faces: everyone has one. If God had intended for us to know, he would have revealed it to us. Why cannot men be satisfied with what is written rather than what is not written? Moses wrote, “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deut. 29:29.)
Paul does reveal why his thorn in the flesh was given. He stated it twice: “Lest I should be exalted above measure.” However, why would he have been exalted above measure? He tells us that as well. He had received an abundance of visions and revelations. In the preceding verses, he alluded to a man caught up to the third heaven, paradise. Paul had several visions beginning when the Lord met him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6; 26:12-19). When Paul and company came to Mysia on his second missionary journey, the Spirit forbade their going into Bithynia (Acts 16:6-8). Paul had appealed to Caesar and was on his way to Rome. During a terrible storm at sea, an angel of the Lord appeared to him to comfort him and all on board (Acts 27: 19-25).
Paul was special. He was the Lord’s apostle, as of one born out of due time. If anyone had reason to boast, to glory, it would seem Paul was the one. Yet, this thorn in the flesh was to prevent his exalting himself above measure. It would have been very easy for one to think more highly of himself than he ought, to exalt oneself, thinking he was somewhat because God had chosen him and revealed things to him. Would that have been a temptation to you? God has his ways to bring the arrogant and proud down. James, our Lord’s brother, wrote, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10.) Jesus said, “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” (Matt. 23:8-12.)
It should be noted that this “thorn in the flesh” was “the messenger of Satan.” The purpose of this “thorn” was to torment. The word “buffet” literally means to “strike with the fist.” “To buffet” is in the present tense, which means it was ongoing. It was not going to be here today and gone tomorrow. But God did not send it; the devil did. Sometimes the Bible refers to God’s having done something when the meaning is that God allowed it to be done. God allowed Satan to have his way with Job to a point. God is not responsible for sickness and death in this world. The devil should be blamed for the terrible things of this world.
What was Paul’s reaction to this thorn in the flesh? Did he blame God? Did he cease to labor for God? Did he become bitter? No. Instead of falsely accusing God, he approached God in prayer to remove it. When trouble comes our way, some physical illness or loss of health, do we accuse God for it or approach God with it? Paul went to God in prayer. Not once, not twice, but three times he pleaded with God to remove it. Oh, how he wanted to be relieved of this burden! Though God did not send it, he could certainly remove it if only he would.
God answered his prayer. He said he would hear the prayers of the righteous (Matt.7: 7-11; Psa. 91:15). Peter wrote, “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12.) Yes, God answered his prayer, but not as Paul had pleaded. It was not in Paul’s best interest for the thorn to be removed. Humility would have been turned to haughtiness.
For God to grant our petitions is not always what is best for us. God said, “My grace is sufficient for thee; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” For the Christian, when difficulties come, God will either remove the difficulties or give one the strength to endure them. Just as a loving father knows what is best for his child, so our heavenly Father knows what is best for us. Let us trust the Lord through the darkness and difficulties that may come our way in life. God’s grace is sufficient. His strength (power, δύναμις) is made complete in weakness, man’s weakness. Though Paul was inflicted with this thorn in the flesh, God’s power was demonstrated through the apostle’s life. Sometimes the most excellent sermons are preached by the faith of those stricken with some debilitating malady. They put forth every effort to make it to services. They sometimes sit in the pew writhing in pain. G. K. Wallace became deaf in the last years of his life, but he faithfully attended the church's services. Someone asked him why he attended since he could not hear. He responded that he wanted the devil to know whose side he was on.
The Lord said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” What was Paul’s response? “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Is that my attitude toward suffering? Is it yours? Is Christ reflected in our lives even in times of suffering? How strong is your faith? Is it only when skies are blue? What about when the dark clouds hover? “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6.)