God gave Paul a thorn in the flesh to keep him from being exalted above measure after receiving an abundance of revelations.
Paul had been caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words, but God forbade him from revealing them. To keep him humble and prevent him from boasting, God permitted a messenger of Satan — a thorn in the flesh — to buffet him. Paul prayed three times for it to depart, but God left it and gave him sufficient grace instead.
2 Corinthians 12:7 — This verse names the thorn in the flesh and states its purpose: to keep Paul from being exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations.
2 Corinthians 12:9 — Records God's answer that His grace is sufficient for Paul, showing why the thorn was allowed to remain.
In 2 Corinthians 12:4, Paul speaks of being caught up into paradise and hearing unspeakable words not lawful for a man to utter. Though he could have gloried in that experience, in verse 6 he says he refrains "lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me." Then, in verse 7, Paul states plainly: "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." The text identifies the thorn as a messenger of Satan that buffeted him, and it gives the purpose twice: to keep Paul from being exalted above measure. Paul continues in verse 8 that he sought the Lord three times for it to depart, but in verse 9 the Lord answered, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Paul then says he will gladly glory in his infirmities so that the power of Christ may rest upon him. The biblical text, therefore, connects the thorn to humility, weakness, and the sufficiency of God's grace.
Les Feldick explains that Paul was caught up into paradise, saw the very throne room of heaven, and heard angelic conversation. Paul was human and could hardly keep from bragging about what he saw and heard, but he knew God had forbidden him from revealing it, so God had to do something to help him suppress that desire — that something was the thorn in the flesh. Les emphasizes that Paul was always putting himself down, saying his speech was contemptible and his appearance repulsive, so he had nothing to boast about in the flesh. Les teaches that the thorn was a continuing physical affliction, pictured as a thorn that constantly pestered Paul. God permitted it, though it was called a messenger of Satan to buffet him, just as God permitted Satan to afflict Job only within set limits. Paul prayed three times for it to depart, but God did not heal him. Les says the affliction stayed with Paul all the days of his life, yet God's grace was sufficient and carried Paul through shipwrecks, beatings, hunger, cold, and nakedness.
Scripture calls it a thorn in the flesh and a messenger of Satan that buffeted Paul (2 Corinthians 12:7). Les Feldick, while careful not to name it dogmatically, says he has a strong idea it was a painful, repulsive disease that stayed with Paul all his days. In the flesh Paul had nothing to boast about; his speech was contemptible and his appearance was repulsive.
Paul was caught up into paradise, saw the throne room of heaven, and heard unspeakable words (2 Corinthians 12:4). Les says Paul was human and could hardly keep from bragging about what he saw and heard, but God told him not to reveal it. The abundance of revelations could have caused Paul to be exalted above measure, so God gave him the thorn to keep him humble.
Paul petitioned the Lord three times for the thorn to depart, but it did not leave. God said, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Les notes that the affliction stayed with Paul all his life, yet God's grace carried him through shipwrecks, beatings, hunger, cold, and nakedness.
Paul's Desire to Boast
Readers learn that Paul was caught up to paradise and heard unspeakable words, but God told him not to reveal them, so God had to give him the thorn.
Purpose of the Thorn
Readers learn from 2 Corinthians 12:7 that the thorn was given to keep Paul humble and stop him from being exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations.
Paul's Self-Description
Readers see that Paul deliberately put himself down, calling his speech contemptible and his appearance repulsive, so he had nothing to boast about in the flesh.
Messenger of Satan and the Job Parallel
Readers learn that God permits Satan to buffet believers only within limits, just as He drew limits in Job's affliction.
Paul's Prayer and God's Grace
Readers learn that Paul prayed three times for the thorn to leave, but God did not heal him; instead His grace was sufficient and carried Paul through all hardships.
Why Does God Wait Until the End to Judge? — 1 Corinthians 4 Explained
Now what's he dealing with? That very problem, that within the congregation of Corinth people were getting all puffed up and said, hey, I'm the one that's most important in this congregation because I go by what Peter taught. And over here was another person who says, oh no, oh no, I'm the one that's the leader of this congregation because I'm emanating the apostle Paul.
Strength in Weakness
Readers learn that God works through weakness to make believers strong, and Paul relied on that truth in his ministry.
What Most Christians Miss About Grace — 1 Corinthians Explained
That here the apostle by inspiration is telling these carnal, Corinthian believers that if the Lord should suddenly come so far as God was concerned, they would be blameless. Well, on what basis could God do that? The work of the cross. The shed blood of Christ. And you see, I always have to think of, oh, let's go back. All the way back.
2 Corinthians 12:4: How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Shows the extraordinary revelation Paul received that made humility necessary.
2 Corinthians 12:6: 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.
Paul explains why he refrained from boasting about his heavenly experience.
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.
The key verse revealing both the existence of the thorn and its purpose.
2 Corinthians 12:8: For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
Shows Paul prayed repeatedly for removal of the thorn.
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 explains why the thorn remained and how Paul found strength.
The biblical text says it was given so Paul would not be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations. Les Feldick explains that Paul wanted to brag about seeing heaven but God forbade it, so the thorn kept him humble and reminded him he was human.
Paul prayed three times, but God did not heal him. God told Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Les teaches that this grace carried Paul through shipwrecks, beatings, hunger, cold, and nakedness.
The Bible calls it a thorn in the flesh and a messenger of Satan that buffeted Paul. Les Feldick says he has a strong notion it was a painful, repulsive disease, but he does not name it definitively from Scripture.
Watch the Teaching: Why God Chooses the Foolish Over the Wise — 1 Corinthians 1:27-31