A question about the Apostle Paul's thorn in the flesh. Was it a physical affliction or a spiritual one?

Question

My own thoughts lead me to believe that it was a temptation which he had to deal with on a regular basis, but I know some people think it was a physical affliction, such as his eyesight. Your thoughts?

Answer 1

I don't get the eyesight thing... didn't Christ heal him of his blindness? or was that a spiritual blindness?

I tend to believe that it was some form of temptation, and by the way that it persued him, I have to wonder if it was sexual in nature.

Answer 2

I have heard both. Paul was very vague in writing that.
When God called him He made him blind for a time. Some people say that the thorn is that his sight never fully recovered- which also, incidentally, could explain why he had a stenographer to write his letters for him.
I have also heard that it was spiritual warfare which would also make sense because Paul was so recently a tool for Satan and satan was probably angry and wanted to bring Paul down as much as he could.
Finally I have also heard that it was physical in another way- that all the times he was flogged if was so damaging that he actually was left with a bit of a handicap. Flogging is very debilitating because it literally rips flesh off bone. And Paul had to endure much physical abuse then go to prison where he could not possibly recieve efficient medical attention and then he had to go out of prison and continue his ministry. Hardcore, man!

Answer 3

good, a thorn lodged deep below the dermis could most likely be painful. So the metaphor shows whatever that brought on Paul discomfort—whether or not bodily, emotional, or each. It is also that Paul suffered from a watch suffering or any other bodily disease. Or the thorn can have concerned the ones contributors who challenged Paul’s credentials as an apostle and referred to as into query his preaching and instructing paintings. (two Corinthians 10:10-12; eleven:five, 6, thirteen) Whatever it used to be, that thorn remained in location and would now not be eliminated. Paul advised the Corinthians approximately an situation that he needed to undergo. He referred to as it “a thorn within the flesh.” (two Corinthians 12:7) This “thorn” can have been a illness, possibly impaired imaginative and prescient. (Galatians four:15; 6:eleven) Or Paul can have been relating to fake apostles and different disturbers who challenged his apostleship and paintings. (two Corinthians eleven:five, 6, 12-15; Galatians one million:6-nine; five:12) Whatever it used to be, this “thorn within the flesh” deeply distressed Paul, and he prayed normally that it could be eliminated.—two Corinthians 12:eight. However, Jehovah didn't provide Paul’s request. Instead, he advised Paul: “My undeserved kindness is enough for you.” (two Corinthians 12:nine) What did Jehovah imply by means of this? Well, after we keep in mind Paul’s beyond direction of persecuting Christians, it used to be simplest by means of undeserved kindness that he would have a courting with God in any respect—a lot much less function an apostle! (Compare Zechariah two:eight; Revelation sixteen:five, 6.) Jehovah might good were telling Paul that the privilege of discipleship used to be “enough.” It could now not be followed by means of a fantastic removing of existence’s individual issues. Indeed, a few hardships would even come consequently of further privileges. (two Corinthians eleven:24-27; two Timothy three:12) In any occasion, Paul could easily need to undergo his “thorn within the flesh.”

Answer 4

The response--not 'answer'--I have frequently seen is that Paul deliberately kept it close as to what his 'thorn' actually was, just so that anyone with any sort of burden or problem would be able to relate to it, and not have to say, Oh he just had bad eyes, that's nothing like my problem, or He's talking about some very austere spiritual problem, and here I am with my arm gone in an accident, how can that relate?

So bottom line, it may be an interesting exercise in speculation, but the exact nature of the 'thorn' is ultimately irrelevant.

Answer 5

Most agree that it was his eyesight, most likely a remaining affliction that first started after he saw the resurrected Christ Jesus on the road to Damascus (before he became the apostle Paul and was still Saul, persecutor extraordinaire of the Christians).

He even mentioned that he had trouble seeing- "see with what large letters I have written you"- his writing was larger due to his inability to see clearly.

Answer 6

I think it was a severe visual impairment, based on Galatians 4:15, and implied at Galatians 6:11. We know Paul frequently used an amanuensis, so it makes sense to me that he had very poor eyesight.

A spiritual affliction doesn't make sense to me, since Jesus sets us all free from this type of bondage.

p.s. -- I think all of us in the Body of Christ will have a chance to ask him very, very soon ...

Answer 7

Yes, it was Paul's eyesight.

Remember his conversion?
His name at birth was Saul.
He was a HUGE Pharisee.
He sought out Christians and had them thrown in prison, tortured, and killed.
Saul had just witnessed the unfair and unjust and cruel stoning death of Stephen.
He (Saul) was on the road to Tarsus, when God struck him blind.
When Saul repented, changed his ways, and accepted God Almighty as His God, God renamed him Paul & partially restored his sight.

But if you read throughout the epistles of Paul you will see that he had trouble seeing the written word & writing and that he usually always had someone with him to write down what God told him.

And Satan constantly teased and tormented Paul about his poor vision. Telling Paul that if he was REALLY beloved of God that God would restore his sight. Paul asked God three times to take the "thorn in the flesh" from him, and God refused. He just kept saying, "My grace is sufficient".

Answer 8

The Bible doesn't specify, but the context and other scriptures leads us to believe it was a physical afliction.
Either way a physical impediment or a spiritual one can be a thorn because it causes you pain, weakness etc. and would make it difficult to serve God.

Answer 9

I am with you on this. Paul never mentions a physical problem in actual words, not that I can recall. However Paul mentions over and over again his temptation with religion. What about when he took the vow of Nazerite and went into the Temple for purification? I think Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was his religious zeal. I think it eat him up that he could no longer prosper in his former Judaism belief as he once did.

Answer 10

The same verse that mentions the 'thorn in the flesh' tells what it was--'a messenger of satan to buffet me'. 'A messenger of satan' would be a demon-spirit; to 'buffet' means to strike or beat. If you read through the book of Acts & take note of how many times Paul was beaten/scourged for preaching the Gospel, it makes perfect sense that this was indeed what his 'thorn in the flesh' was.