What was Paul's "thorn in the flesh"?

Question

We read in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, "7And 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.
8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9And 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."


**Scriptures are from the King James Bible

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:13, "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual."

The Bible states in 1 Corinthians 2:13 that we are to compare Spiritual things with Spiritual. One must search the Bible to see how God uses terms. One cannot get truth by "feelings" or "hunches". We have to go to the Bible.

Answer 1

St. Paul was beaten so many times, whipped -flogged so many times, ran out of so many towns, its hard to say exactly what he was referrring to. Many scripture scholars and theologians believe it was an affliction he suffered from, from being treated so badly.

Answer 2

i've got theory in the previous that it could have been an previous, open wound that doesn't thoroughly heal, or another form of bothersome harm. bear in mind that St. Paul went by using plenty on an identical time as preaching the Gospel. having suggested that, the apostle calls this thorn a ''messenger of devil,'' so i'm not genuine useful. despite it replaced into, it had a purpose. St. Paul have been informed ''inexpressible words,'' and so this thorn replaced into given to him to maintain him humble. yet we are informed something of great fee in verse 9; despite hassle we could have, God's grace is sufficient to hold us by using. in my view, i think of all of us have a ''thorn'' a minimum of as quickly as in our lives, yet as quickly as we bear in mind our Lord's words --- ''My grace is sufficient for you'' --- we can continuously be waiting to have desire. Peace, Drew

Answer 3

Nobody knows. Countless explanations concerning the nature of his thorn in the flesh have been offered. They range from incessant temptation, dogged opponents, chronic maladies (such as eye problems (Galatians 4:15), malaria, migraine headaches, and epilepsy), to a disability in speech. No one can say for sure what his was, but it probably was a physical affliction (for the work of Satan in this, cf. 1 Corinthians 5:5; 10:10).

Answer 4

I may be wrong on this. Paul has been a missionary most of his life. I beleive that Paul was tired and looking for companionship. He was alone, although he had God spiritual, but physically Paul was alone. He did not have a wife. The bible says he that findeth a wife findeth a good thing. Paul never found that.

Answer 5

I am going on a hunch from long studies about Paul. I feel it is not a physical problem. Paul often refers to the "Flesh" as sin and religion. I feel his "thorn in the flesh" is his strugle with religion. I am probably wrong.

Answer 6

the bible is not hard to understand..it interprets itself!!!


The scripture tells us:
a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me
the "thorn" was a demon.

Answer 7

Eartha Q is quite right. The Greek word used for 'messenger' is 'angelos' - an angel of Satan - a demon.

Answer 8

He was probably the first in a long line of Church pedophiles.