God allowed Paul's thorn in the flesh to keep him humble and to demonstrate that His grace is sufficient.
Paul received abundant revelations from God, and to prevent him from becoming exalted or proud, God permitted a thorn—a messenger of Satan—to buffet him. This thorn served as a constant reminder of his dependence on God's grace, which is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 — These verses directly explain why Paul was given a thorn: to prevent exaltation, and they record God's response that His grace is sufficient and His strength is made perfect in weakness.
In 2 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul describes being caught up to the third heaven and hearing unspeakable words. To prevent him from being exalted above measure because of the abundance of these revelations, God allowed a thorn in the flesh—a messenger of Satan—to buffet him. Paul asked the Lord three times to remove it, but the Lord answered, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, Paul resolved to glory in his infirmities, that the power of Christ might rest upon him.
Les Feldick emphasizes that God gave Paul the thorn specifically to keep him humble. Because Paul received such spectacular revelations, God did not want him to become proud or exalted. Les explains that the thorn was a "messenger of Satan" and that God allowed this constant pestering as a reminder. He also notes that God Himself does not directly inflict pain or discomfort; rather, Satan is the source of the buffeting, but God permits it for a purpose. Les further describes that the Greek implies the thorn felt like a continual crucifixion—intense, constant suffering. This suffering, combined with his vision of glory, sustained Paul through his trials.
God gave Paul the thorn to prevent him from being exalted above measure due to the abundance of revelations he received. Les teaches that if Paul had boasted about what he saw, people would have worshiped him, so God put a stigma on him to keep him humble. The thorn was a constant reminder not to get puffed up.
Les clarifies that the Bible calls the thorn "the messenger of Satan." He states that God does not inflict discomfort or pain Himself; rather, Satan is the source of the buffeting. God permits it for His purposes, but the affliction comes from Satan.
Les notes that the Greek implies the thorn was like a constant crucifixion—an intense, ever-present pain. It was not a trivial annoyance but a severe, ongoing affliction. This constant suffering, along with the memory of his vision of glory, sustained Paul through his many trials mentioned in other passages.
Introduction to 2 Corinthians 12
Les introduces the passage on Paul's thorn in the flesh, setting the stage for the discussion of God's strength made perfect in weakness.
Purpose of the Thorn
Les explains that the thorn was given to keep Paul from being exalted above measure, serving as a constant reminder not to be puffed up.
The Thorn as Constant Pain
Les teaches that the Greek implies the thorn was like being crucified—constant, severe pain—to keep Paul humble.
Purpose of the Thorn
Les reiterates that God gave Paul a human suffering to keep him humble and prevent him from being exalted.
Sustaining Vision of Glory
Les explains that Paul's memory of what he saw in glory sustained him during intense suffering, and God permitted the thorn because people would have worshiped Paul otherwise.
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2 Corinthians 12:7-9: 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.
This is the core passage explaining why Paul had a thorn and the lesson God taught him.
God allowed it to keep Paul humble, preventing him from being exalted above measure because of the abundance of revelations he received. The thorn served as a constant reminder for Paul to stay dependent on God's grace.
The Bible calls it a 'messenger of Satan,' and Les Feldick clarifies that God does not inflict pain directly; rather, Satan is the source of the buffeting, but God permits it for a purpose.
Watch the Teaching: Why God's Strength Is Made Perfect in Weakness — 2 Corinthians 12:9