What was the thorn on Paul's flesh?

Question

D2t very interesting

Answer 1

2Corinthians 12:7
And because of the transcendence of the revelations in order that I might not be exceedingly lifted up there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of satan tha he might buffet me in order that I might not be exceedingly lifted up.


Some verses indicate that it could have been a physical suffering, such as the trouble with his eyes.
Gal 4:15

" Where then is you felicitation? For I testify concerning you that if possible you would ahve plucked out your eyes and given them to me.

The Galatians appreciated Pauls' preaching and loved him to such an extent that they would have plucked out their eyes and given them to him. This may indicate that paul's physical weakness was in his eyes. This can also be confirmed by his use of large letters in his writing to them.

Gal6:11
" See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand"

The weakness may also have been the thorn in his physical flesh, the physical weakness which he prayed would be removed from him.

2 Cor 12:8-9
Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me

And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, My power is perfected in weakness. Most gladly therefore I will rather boast in my weaknesses that the power of Chrsit might tabernacle over me...

Good Question..
in Christ
sandy

Answer 2

Public speaking.

Paul has, in the Corinthian correspondence, been addressing the matter of his lack of competence as an orator.
This was the point upon which his critics gave him a hard time.
Rhetorical skill was often linked to spiritual power in the ancient world.

Paul has used an expression of significance to both Jewish and Greco-Roman readers, and that his "thorn in the flesh" is his inability to speak well rhetorically, as something that stands in his way as the angel of the Lord stood in Balaam's way. He admits to this weakness in some detail (2. Cor. 10:10). In a display of irony Paul here makes light of his weakness, and turns it into a positive: It was a weakness given to him to keep him from being tempted to raise himself. There is no grounds for interpreting this thorn as any sort of disease or temptation, for the context of the Corinthian correspondence provides a firm enough definition.

Answer 3

The Bible is Very Clear on This:
a Messenger of satan

"messenger" is used almost totally to mean "angel" in the Bible.

It was an angel (bad) from satan sent to Buffet Paul

Now, if you can Accept this too, it was sent to Keep Paul from getting Too High Up in the Spiritual Realm and---GOD Did Not Send it (messenger of satan) Either!!!

Think about it!

Answer 4

The Bible does not clearly say what Paul's thorn was, but most would say it was his poor eyesight. Paul used Timothy to dictate what he would say in some of his later epistles.

Answer 5

Many believe it was his failing eyesight. It is known that Paul did not actually "pen" many of his letters and there are verses that say something to the effect that you know this to be from my hand because of the size of the writing. He was saying "this is me" I am writing this to you (this portion).

Answer 6

In these verses, it seems that he was a braggard, an egotist, and a incessant talker. These verses make anyone infirm. Maybe he was a drinker, too.
Other than this, the Bible doesn't say; so, you'll have to decide for yourself.

Answer 7

Mari,
We are never told in the scriptures. He asked a number of times that it be removed and it was not to our knowledge. It was evidently not important that we know what it was. Have a great evening.
Thanks,
Eds


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Answer 8

hmmmmm well I have heard many say that he had very poor vision and then was later in constant pain. now weather that was from beatings or just well, life, I do not know but it would certainly make his ministry more difficult.

Answer 9

No one can say for certain but most scholars think that it was his continual beatings. Poor man stayed beaten to a pulp for Jesus.

Answer 10

It is not known.