What is the “thorn in the flesh” that Paul talks about?

Paul calls his trouble a “thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me.” The passage does not clearly say if this was a sickness, a spiritual attack, or some other hardship. What is clear is the purpose: it was allowed so he would not become proud because of the great revelations he had received. This thorn was painful and ongoing, but God used it to keep Paul humble and dependent, showing that even strong servants of God can carry deep, hidden struggles.

Why did God say, “My grace is sufficient for thee”?

Paul begged the Lord three times to take away his thorn, but instead of removing it, God answered, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” This means God’s kindness and help were enough to carry Paul through, even if the problem stayed. God’s strength shows most clearly when we have no strength of our own. Rather than fixing every hardship, God sometimes gives steady grace so we can endure and so Christ’s power is seen in us.

What does it mean that God’s strength is made perfect in weakness?

When Paul says God’s strength is made perfect in weakness, he is not saying God was weak before. He means that God’s power shows itself most clearly when we are weak, limited, or under pressure. In those moments, we cannot pretend the results come from our own skill or strength. Paul even says he will gladly boast in his weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest on him. His troubles become a place where Christ’s strength can be seen and trusted.

Why does Paul say, “When I am weak, then am I strong”?

Paul lists many hardships he faces for Christ’s sake, like infirmities, reproaches, needs, persecutions, and distresses. Humanly speaking, all these make a person weak. Yet he says, “When I am weak, then am I strong,” because in those times he leans more fully on Christ. His own power drops away, and Christ’s power carries him. So his “strength” is not from himself but from the Lord who helps, sustains, and works through a weak servant who knows he must depend on God.

Why is Paul defending himself to the Corinthian believers?

Paul says he has become a “fool in glorying” because the Corinthians should have spoken up for him, but they did not. Some people were questioning his authority, even though he was not behind the chief apostles in calling or in the signs, wonders, and mighty deeds done among them. He reminds them that he never used them for money and was not a burden. He is not just protecting his name, but guarding the church from being misled and calling them back to trust and listen.

What are the “signs of an apostle” Paul mentions?

Paul says, “Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.” These signs were special works of God that marked him as a true messenger of Christ. Along with these powerful works, he showed patience in suffering and faithful service. The church in Corinth had seen these things firsthand, so they had good reason to accept his ministry and not treat him as if he were less than other church leaders they respected.

Why did Paul choose not to be a financial burden to the Corinthians?

Paul tells them he will not be burdensome because he seeks not their possessions, but them. He uses the picture of parents and children: parents save up for their children, not the other way around. In the same way, Paul sees himself as a spiritual father who is glad to spend and be spent for them. He wants their spiritual good, not their money. Even when some accused him of trickery, he reminds them that neither he nor Titus took advantage of them.

What does this passage show about Paul’s love and concern for the church?

Paul’s love shows in several ways. He is willing to suffer a thorn in the flesh for Christ’s sake. He is ready to “very gladly spend and be spent” for the Corinthians, even when they do not fully love him back. He refuses to burden them financially. He also warns them honestly, fearing he may find debates, envy, anger, and sexual sin when he comes. His grief at the thought of unrepentant sin shows that he cares deeply about their holiness and growth.

Why is Paul afraid of what he might find when he visits again?

Paul worries that when he comes, he will not find them as he wishes. He fears there may still be debates, envyings, wrath, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, and tumults. He also fears that some who have sinned through uncleanness, fornication, and lasciviousness have not repented. If that is the case, he says his God will humble him among them and he will have to mourn over them. His fear shows his serious concern for both their unity and their purity.

How can a believer today apply Paul’s view of weakness and grace?

This passage invites believers to see weakness and hardship differently. Instead of thinking God has forgotten them, they can remember, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” When facing illness, pressure, or rejection for Christ’s sake, they can, like Paul, bring it to the Lord in prayer and then trust that God’s grace will carry them, even if the trial stays. It also encourages a humble heart that does not boast in spiritual experiences, but leans on Christ and seeks the good of others.

2Cor.12.7

2 Corinthians 12:7

KJV

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.

Paul’s Thorn and God’s Grace

Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

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.

I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.

Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.

For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong.

Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your’s, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved.

But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile.

Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?

I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same Spirit? walked we not in the same steps?

Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

Cross References

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