What revelations did Paul receive that could have made him boastful?
Paul received an abundance of revelations from God, including what he saw in glory and tremendous revelations of Scripture. Because these could have made him boastful and puffed up, God permitted a thorn in the flesh—a messenger of Satan—to keep him humble.
Les explains that Paul was given these revelations lest he should get boastful and puffed up because of everything God had revealed to him, not only with what he saw in glory but even these tremendous revelations of Scripture. The abundance of the revelations was enough to give anybody the big head, so God gave him a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan, to buffet him and keep him humble. Les notes that God permitted Satan to afflict Paul, just as He did with Job, and Paul besought the Lord three times to take the affliction away. Les suggests the affliction was a typical Middle Eastern eye disease, though others disagree.
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.
More Questions
What was the abundance of revelations Paul talked about in 2 Corinthians 12:7?
The 'abundance of revelations' Paul received refers first to the revelations of the doctrines of grace, the Gospel, and the church-age teachings.