Les Feldick concludes the most logical answer is that Paul's thorn in the flesh was a severe eye disease (ophthalmia) that was painful, repulsive in appearance, and limited his eyesight, though he acknowledges it is not the only possible answer.
Les bases this on Paul's habit of dictating his letters (except Galatians) and writing one in huge block letters for his own sake, along with the description of Paul's appearance as contemptible and repulsive. He also emphasizes the thorn's purpose: to keep Paul humble and stop him from being exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations.
2 Corinthians 12:7 — This is the key verse where Paul mentions the 'thorn in the flesh' given to him to prevent exaltation.
In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul speaks of a 'thorn in the flesh' that was given to him. He describes it as 'the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.' He prayed three times for the Lord to take it away, but the Lord replied, 'My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.' Paul then says he will glory in his infirmities, because when he is weak, then he is strong. The Bible does not explicitly identify the nature of the thorn. It only reveals its purpose: to keep Paul humble and to demonstrate God's strength in human weakness. The specific physical, spiritual, or circumstantial cause is left unnamed in the text.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul's thorn in the flesh was most likely a common eye disease of that period, ophthalmia, which was repulsive in appearance, painful, and limited his eyesight. He points to Paul's practice of dictating his letters—except Galatians—and writing that letter in huge block letters for his own sake to read as evidence. Les also emphasizes the thorn's purpose: God gave it to Paul to keep him humble and to prevent him from being exalted above measure because of the abundance of revelations he received. Les describes it as a constant pestering reminder, a messenger of Satan, but he clarifies that God does not directly inflict pain or discomfort.
According to Les, the thorn was given so Paul would not be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations he had received. In Clip 0, he explains that God gave Paul a thorn to make sure he never forgot the danger of pride. In Clip 1, Les describes it as a constant pestering reminder not to get puffed up or try to reveal everything God had shown him. Clip 3 adds that God put human suffering on Paul's body to keep him humble.
Les identifies the thorn as a common eye disease of that period. In Clip 2, he says it was repulsive in appearance, painful, and limited Paul's eyesight and faculties. He notes this is the reason Paul dictated all his letters, seemingly except Galatians, and why he wrote that letter in huge block letters—for his own sake, so he could read it.
Les shows that Paul did not seek power or political clout but rather gloried in his infirmities so that the power of Christ might rest upon him. In Clip 5, Les explains that Paul endured the thorn along with beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonment, and other hardships, all for the sake of taking the Gospel to a lost world. Paul's attitude was to glory in weakness.
Purpose of the Thorn
Les teaches that God gave Paul the thorn to prevent him from being exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations, ensuring he never forgot the danger of pride.
Constant Reminder
Les calls the thorn a constant pestering reminder and a messenger of Satan, and he argues God does not directly inflict pain or discomfort.
Eye Disease Identification
Les identifies the thorn as a common eye disease (ophthalmia) that was repulsive, painful, and limited Paul's eyesight, explaining why Paul dictated his letters and wrote in huge block letters.
Humility Through Suffering
Les explains that God used human suffering on Paul's body to keep him humble and prevent him from feeling exalted.
Why Paul Said "I Die Daily" — 1 Corinthians 15:31 Explained
He suffered at the hands of the Jews, He suffered at the hands of the Romans, He suffered at the hands of physical disabilities and sickness and what have you. Alright, now then in verse 32, He said, "...if so to speak." I think that's the best way to put it. "...if so to speak, I have fought with the beasts at Ephesus.
Glorying in Weakness
Les shows Paul glorying in his infirmities so that Christ's power would rest on him, rather than seeking power or circumstance.
The Weapons of Our Warfare — 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 Explained
And I have to feel that every time that Paul came under one sort of oppression or another, that was his first memory. But look what I did in opposition to this myself, and how God had the perfect candidate to take all of the abuse, because he had handed out so much himself, and it just carried him I think until the day, as I read someplace the other night, that of course we all believe that Paul w…
Paul's Hardships
Les illustrates the many physical hardships Paul endured—hunger, cold, perils, and weariness—showing he was human and not a superstar.
2 Corinthians 12:7: 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 introduces the thorn in the flesh and states its purpose is to keep him humble.
2 Corinthians 12:8: For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
Paul prayed three times for the thorn to be removed.
2 Corinthians 12:9: 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.
God's response reveals that His strength is made perfect in weakness, which is central to understanding the thorn.
2 Corinthians 12:10: 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.
Paul embraces weakness and persecution, finding strength in Christ.
Paul describes it as a painful, persistent affliction—'the messenger of Satan to buffet me'—given to keep him humble and to prevent him from being exalted above measure. The Bible does not specify the exact nature of the thorn.
Yes. Les said the logical answer for him is that it was a common eye disease of that period, repulsive, painful, and limiting to Paul's eyesight. He based this on Paul dictating his letters and writing Galatians in huge letters.
Les teaches that God used the thorn to keep Paul humble and to prevent him from being exalted above measure because of the abundance of revelations he had received. It served as a constant reminder not to get puffed up.
Watch the Teaching: What Happened to Paradise After the Cross? (2 Corinthians 12)