Paul received a thorn in the flesh to keep him from being exalted above measure because of the abundance of revelations he had received.
Scripture says the thorn was a messenger of Satan sent to buffet Paul, and the stated purpose was so he would not be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations. Les Feldick teaches that the thorn was a constant physical reminder not to reveal the unspeakable things Paul had seen and heard in the third heaven.
2 Corinthians 12:7 — Directly names the thorn in the flesh and states its purpose: to keep Paul from being exalted above measure through abundance of revelations.
2 Corinthians 12:2-4 — Describes Paul's catching up to the third heaven and into paradise, the experience that made the thorn necessary.
Scripture records that Paul was 'caught up to the third heaven' and 'caught up into paradise,' where he 'heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter' (2 Corinthians 12:2, 4). Because of the 'abundance of the revelations,' Paul writes that 'there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure' (2 Corinthians 12:7). This is the Bible's direct answer for why Paul received the thorn. Scripture also shows the kind of physical hardship Paul endured in the same ministry: 'Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep' (2 Corinthians 11:25).
Les Feldick teaches that Paul was caught up into the third heaven, or paradise, where he actually saw the throne room and heard angelic conversation; yet God never let him share it. The thorn in the flesh, Les says, was a constant pestering reminder given to Paul so that he would not reveal these things or become puffed up. Les is also careful to say that God did not directly inflict the pain. Instead, God permitted a messenger of Satan to buffet Paul, just as God limited Satan's attacks on Job. Paul's humanity is stressed: it was all he could do to suppress the desire to boast about what he had experienced, but the physical thorn kept him mindful not to share it.
Scripture calls it 'paradise' and says Paul was 'caught up into paradise' where he heard words it was not lawful for a man to utter (2 Corinthians 12:4). Les Feldick explains that the third heaven is the very abode of God, and Paul actually heard angelic conversations and saw the throne room. Even though Paul glimpsed glory, God never allowed him to share what he saw and heard.
Les answers no. He says God does not ordinarily inflict discomfort or pain Himself; instead, God permitted a messenger of Satan to buffet Paul. He draws a parallel to Job: God allowed Satan to touch Job but set limits. The thorn, therefore, was a permitted affliction, a messenger of Satan, used by God to keep Paul humble.
The purpose statement in 2 Corinthians 12:7 is explicit: 'lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations.' Les describes the thorn as a constant pestering reminder, and he says that because Paul was human, he had to suppress the desire to glory in the experience. The physical affliction kept Paul aware that in himself he was a nobody, even though in Christ he was somebody.
Caught Up to the Third Heaven
Paul was caught up to the third heaven, but God never allowed him to share what he saw and heard.
Thorn Given to Prevent Exaltation
Les explains the thorn was a constant pestering reminder not to repeat the revelations or become puffed up.
God Permits Satan, Not Direct Infliction
Les argues God did not inflict the pain Himself but allowed a messenger of Satan to buffet Paul, just as He limited Satan with Job.
Paul's Human Desire to Boast
Paul was human and desired to glory in what he saw, but he forbore, and God did something physically to remind him not to share it.
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.
Unspeakable Words in Paradise
Paul heard unspeakable words and saw heaven's throne room, yet he was not allowed to utter them.
Paul's Physical Hardships
Les catalogs Paul's bodily sufferings, beatings, stoning, shipwrecks, showing the thorn came amid a life of physical affliction.
Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen? — 2 Corinthians 1 Explained
And whether it was physical sickness whether it was outside pressure from the various forces that I've already alluded to whether it was the Romans or whether it was the Judaizers he would almost come to the place that he would despair even of life. And then verse 9.
2 Corinthians 12:1: It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
Paul introduces the visions and revelations that set up the need for the thorn.
2 Corinthians 12:2: I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
Describes Paul's catching up to the third heaven, the very abode of God.
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 why Paul had secrets he could not share, he heard unspeakable words.
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 says he refrained from boasting so no one would think of him beyond what they saw.
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 central verse identifying the thorn and its stated purpose.
2 Corinthians 11:25: Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep.
Lists bodily hardships that show Paul's lifelong physical suffering in ministry.
Paul was given a thorn in the flesh so that he would not be exalted above measure through the abundance of revelations he received. Les describes it as a constant pestering reminder not to reveal what God had shown him.
Scripture calls it a messenger of Satan sent to buffet Paul. Les explains that God did not directly inflict the pain; He permitted Satan to do it, as He did with Job.
Yes; Paul was human and it was all he could do to suppress the desire to glory in the experience. But God had given him the thorn so he would never forget not to share it.
He was caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words that it was not lawful for a man to utter. Les says Paul saw the very throne room of heaven.
Watch the Teaching: Paul's Vision of Heaven & the Jerusalem Council Explained