II Corinthians 12
Special revelations and vision given to Paulverses 1-6
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory
I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord
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 knows)
such a one caught up to the third heaven
AND I knew such a man (whether in the body or out of the body
I cannot tell – God knows)
How that he was caught up into paradise – and heard unspeakable words
which it is not lawful for a man to utter
of such a one will I glory – yet of myself I will not glory
BUT in mine infirmities
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 sees me to be or that he hears of me
Thorn in the flesh given to Paulverses 7-10
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 to me – MY grace is sufficient for you
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
THEREFORE I take pleasure in infirmities – reproaches
necessities – persecutions distresses for Christ’s sake
for when I am weak – then am I strong
Proof of Apostleship were given to Paulverses 11-13
I am become a fool in glorying
you have compelled me
for I ought to have been commended of you
for in nothing am I behind the
very chiefest apostles
though I be nothing
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you
in all patience – signs – wonders – mighty deeds
FOR what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches
except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you?
FORGIVE me this wrong
Paul gives illustration of parent and childverse 14-17
BEHOLD the third time I am ready to come to you
and I will not be burdensome to you – FOR I seek not yours
but you for the children ought not to lay up for the parents
but the parents for the children
AND I will very gladly spend and be spent for you
though the more abundantly I love you – the less I be loved
BUT be it so – I did not burden you – nevertheless – being crafty
I caught you with guile
Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you?
Paul gives reason for HIS ministry: edifyingverses 18-19
I desired Titus – and with him I sent a brother
Did Titus make a gain of you?
walked we not in the same spirit?
walked we not in the same steps?
Again – think you that we excuse ourselves unto you?
we speak before God in Christ
but we do all things – dearly beloved
for your EDIFYING
Paul warns of pitfalls in ministryverses 20-21
FOR I fear – lest – when I come – I shall not find you such as I would
and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not
lest there be debates – envying – wraths – strifes
backbitings – whisperings – swellings – tumults
and lest – when I come again
my God will humble me among you
and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already
and have not repented of the uncleanness
fornication – lasciviousness which they
have committed.
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. (731 “unspeakable” [arrhetos] means unsaid, unspoken, what cannot be spoken, what must not be expressed, too sacred to be put into words, or inexpressible)
DEVOTION: Paul was given special revelation from the LORD to complete his ministry for the LORD. These revelations were further instruction regarding what the LORD wanted to reveal to first Paul and then to the church.
Paul received these special instructions during a time period when he was with the LORD in the wilderness. God had sent him to the wilderness for three years to learn what his message was to be for the LORD. It was a special time of instruction.
He had visions and revelations given to him by the LORD. It is because of this time that Paul was able to minister in such a way that no other man could do. He was special. He was also given an infirmity in his flesh that he called a “messenger of Satan” to buffet him.
We don’t completely understand what he received during this time but it was something that he remembered the rest of his life. It was also a time when he realized that God’s power rested upon him because HIS strength is made perfect in weakness.
Paul had to be weak to be truly used of the LORD. We have to be weak to be truly used of the LORD for HIS service. It is because we are weak that we can understand our total dependence on the LORD for every success we may achieve in our ministry.
CHALLENGE: Remember we are to give all glory to God for whatever we seem to accomplish in our ministry. It is all done only through HIS power in us.)
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 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. (2852 “buffet” [kolaphizo] means to strike with a fist, give one a blow with a fist, to hurt, cause harm, trouble, cuff)
DEVOTION: Paul was a special man in God’s eyes. He wrote most of the New Testament epistles. He was given the responsibility of being an apostle to the Gentiles. He had the ability to relate to not only the Jews but also to those who were considered heathens to the Jews.
He took the message of Christ to a people that worshiped false gods. He received times of special revelation that he was not even able to write about. So the LORD gave him something that caused him not to be prideful. It is called a thorn in the flesh.
There has been many thoughts regarding what this thorn was. Some thought it was his eye problem. Others thought a health issue. We are not sure what it was in him but it caused him not to think too highly of himself. It kept him humble before the other Christians in his day.
We are sometimes given a thorn in our flesh to keep us humble. There are many believers who are real talented that God has given them something to keep them humble.
If you think that God has sent something into your life that seems unnecessary it is not unnecessary. HE wants all of us to be humble especially those who are very gifted in an area of service to HIM. HE wants us to be dependent on HIM for our strength. If we do things in our own power it causes us to be prideful and that should never be in a Christian’s life.
Remember there are two types of pride. We are to be proud of our service to the LORD as long as it brings glory to the glory and not to self. Self can easily be worshiped in our human time period on this earth. Many a Christian worker has fallen into sin because of having so much talent and thinking that it is all them instead of the LORD giving them the ability.
CHALLENGE: Watch out for this type of thinking. Paul needed a “messenger of Satan” to keep him dependent on the LORD.
: 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. (3870 “besought” [parakaleo] means urge, implore, exhort, to ask for or request earnestly, to plead for, to summon to, desire, to beg, or entreat)
DEVOTION: Paul was important to the service of the LORD in the first century. He was close to the LORD. He received special visions and revelations from the LORD. He wrote most of the epistles in our New Testament Bible.
He was close to the LORD. He prayed often to the LORD for many things. One of the things he prayed for is that the LORD would remove the thorn in the flesh. He prayed three times for it to be removed. You would think someone who served the LORD faithfully should receive an answer of “YES” from the LORD. He was very close to the LORD.
However, this thorn in the flesh was to keep him humble. It was going to be used of the LORD, so that, Paul’s every day service was affected by this “thorn in the flesh.”
God gave an answer of “NO” to Paul. HE told Paul that HIS grace was sufficient. HE told Paul that HIS strength was going to help him with each day of service in spite of the thorn in the flesh. HE told Paul that HIS strength was made perfect in weakness.
Paul had to realize that the thorn in the flesh was something to glory in instead of asking the LORD to remove it. He had to realize that the power of Christ rested on him in spite of something that seemed a hindrance to his ability to serve.
God always answers prayer. Sometimes it isn’t the answer we want to hear but God knows what is best in our life.
CHALLENGE: Don’t fight God. If HE says “NO” it is for our good. HE loves us. HE wants what is best for us and HE knows what that is in spite of us thinking we know better. Trust HIM!!!
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 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. (2106 “pleasure” [eudokoo] means enjoy, to think well of, approve, be willing, think good, be well pleased, or to do willingly)
DEVOTION: Paul was given special visions and revelations. He had an opportunity to have a vision of paradise or the third heaven where God had HIS throne. He heard things that no one else had heard.
Paul could have bragged about these special visions and revelations. He didn’t want to brag. God had sent something into his life that cause him to not exalt himself above measure. HE sent him a “thorn in the flesh” which we don’t have a definitive answer regarding. He was not better than others. He was a servant of the LORD.
Paul prayed three times to the LORD for this “thorn” to be removed from his life. God said NO!!! HIS answer was to tell Paul that HIS strength was made perfect in weakness. Paul was weak in himself and because of this God made him strong.
With this strength he was able to face everything the LORD allowed into his life. The list in this verse contents many troubles that most of us face in this life. Paul faced these things with approval. Paul faced these things willingly. Paul thought these things were good for him.
When we face these kinds of things in our lives, do we think of them as good? Do we think of them as something we enjoy? God gives those whom HE has given special gifts a “thorn” to keep them humble. What “thorn” has HE put in your lives to keep you humble?
CHALLENGE: The “thorn” is good for us to depend on HIM. Whatever comes HE is right there with us. Praise the LORD for hard times.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Besought the Lord thriceverse 8
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Visionsverse 1
Revelationverses 1, 7
Unspeakable wordsverse 4
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Godverses 2, 3, 19, 21
Speak before Godverse 19
God will humbleverse 21
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Lordverses 1, 8
Christverses 2, 9, 10, 19
Power of Christverse 9
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Walk in same Spiritverse 18
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Satanverse 7
Messenger of Satanverse 7
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Illustration of parent child relationshipverse 14
Children ought not to lay up for parents
Parents ought to lay up for children
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Foolverses 6, 11
Exalted above measureverse 7
Guileverse 16
Debatesverse 20
Envyingsverse 20
Wrathsverse 20
Strifesverse 20
Backbitingsverse 20
Whisperingsverse 20
Swellingsverse 20
Tumultsverse 20
Sinnedverse 21
Not repentedverse 21
Uncleannessverse 21
Fornicationverse 21
Lasciviousnessverse 21
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Infirmitiesverses 5, 9, 10
Truthverse 6
Thorn in the fleshverse 7
Buffet usverse 7
Prayerverse 8
Graceverse 9
Strengthverse 9
Power of Christverse 9
Pleasure in
Infirmities
Necessities
Persecutions
Distressesverse 10
Patienceverse 12
Signsverse 12
Wondersverse 12
Mighty deedsverse 12
Forgiveverse 13
Loveverse 15
Not burdenverse 16
Walk in the Spiritverse 18
Belovedverse 19
Edifyingverse 19
Humilityverse 21
Repentverse 21
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Church (New Testament people of God)
Paulverses 1-21
Visions and revelations
Fourteen years ago
Third heaven
Caught up to paradise
Unspeakable words
Not lawful for a man to utter
Mine infirmities
Not be a fool
Exalted above measure
Abundance of revelations
Thorn in the flesh
Messenger of Satan
Buffet him
Exalted above measure
Asked Lord to take away thorn
Grace is sufficient
Strength made perfect in weakness
Power of Christ
When weak –then strong
I be nothing
Forgive me
Apostlesverses 11, 12
Other churchesverse 13
Titusverse 18
Walked in same spiritverse 18
Last Things (Future Events)
Third heavenverse 2
Paradiseverse 4
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QUOTES regarding passage
Though differences of interpretation exist concerning the meaning of ‘a thorn in my flesh,’ especially since some scholars have felt that this must refer to some kind of physical disability, it seems more likely to assume that it refers to some special personal circumstance such as the opposition Paul encountered in preaching the gospel, a reference suggested by 2 Cor 12:10 (see also 22.20).
Without some clear understanding of the reference of ‘a thorn in my flesh,’ it is difficult to determine precisely how κολαφίζω is to be interpreted in 2 Cor 12:7. (Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 230). New York: United Bible Societies.)
This rare term occurs a few times in the NT and Christian writings. It means “to buffet,” “to ill-treat,” “to revile.” The sense is literal in the passion story (Mt. 26:67). Spiritual pain is also involved in 1 Cor. 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:20 (which reflects the passion of Christ, vv. 21ff.). In 2 Cor. 12:7 Paul is buffeted by an angel of Satan. The thorn in the flesh can hardly refer to persecution or the temptation to licentiousness, but may have to do with intense pain accompanying Paul’s visions. Various diagnoses have been attempted in explanation of such pain, e.g., an eye ailment, epilepsy, neurasthenia, migraine, malaria, etc., but none is fully convincing. Paul himself comes in prayer to the realization that his affliction has profound meaning. Christ, too, was buffeted by Satan and his agents, but Christ is still the victor, and his power is made perfect in Paul’s weakness. (Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (pp. 451–452). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.)
7 Others might be tempted, “because of these surpassingly great revelations” (v. 7) accorded to Paul, to form an estimate of him that outstripped the evidence (v. 6b). But he himself was in no such danger. To keep him from becoming conceited (see note) there was given him a thorn in his flesh. Two inferences are fair. (1) The agent implied by edothē (“there was given”; cf. the “theological passives” in vv. 2, 4) is God. This is confirmed by the fact that the “thorn” (skolops, see note) was given to achieve a beneficial purpose—the prevention of spiritual conceit—and that Paul requested the Lord for the departure of the messenger (v. 8). (2) The “thorn” was given immediately or shortly after the vision described in vv. 2–4.
It is significant that in vv. 7–10 Paul speaks of himself in the first person (cf. vv. 2–5); his reputation was in no danger of being illegitimately enhanced (cf. v. 6) by describing the outcome of the vision!
The efforts that have been made to identify Paul’s “thorn” are legion. Among the recurring suggestions are Jewish persecution, carnal temptation, epilepsy, chronic ophthalmia, a speech impediment, and a recurrent malady (such as malaria or Malta fever). But paucity of information and the obscurity of Paul’s language have frustrated all attempts to solve this enigmatic problem. In fact, had Paul revealed what his skolops was, Christians of succeeding generations who lacked his particular affliction or disability would have tended to find his experience (vv. 8–10) irrelevant. As it is, countless believers have been helped by his reference to his “thorn.”
It is remarkable that Paul could regard his affliction as given by God and yet as “a messenger of Satan.” This may support the view that the affliction was some type of physical malady, because in 1 Corinthians 5:5 (cf. 1 Cor 11:30; 1 Tim 1:20) Satan appears as God’s agent for the infliction of disciplinary illness (cf. Job 2:1–10). Certainly a recurrent and tormenting illness could be considered “a messenger of Satan,” for it might bring Paul within the shadow of death (cf. 2 Cor 1:8, 9) or hinder the advance of the gospel either by arousing the contempt of his hearers (cf. Gal 4:13, 14) or by frustrating his travel plans. Be that as it may, behind any and every machination of Satan, Paul could discern the overarching providence of a God who perpetually created good out of evil. (Harris, M. J. (1976). 2 Corinthians. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Romans through Galatians (Vol. 10, p. 396). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
12:7–9. So that Paul would not forget this, God gave him a constant reminder of his weakness. Countless explanations concerning the nature of his thorn in the flesh have been offered. They range from incessant temptation, dogged opponents, chronic maladies (such as ophthalmia, malaria, migraine headaches, and epilepsy), to a disability in speech. No one can say for sure what his was, but it probably was a physical affliction (for the work of Satan in this, cf. 1 Cor. 5:5; 10:10). It is understandable that Paul would consider this thorn a hindrance to wider or more effective ministry (cf. Gal. 4:14–16) and that he would repeatedly petition God for its removal (2 Cor. 12:8). But he learned from this experience the lesson that pervades this letter: divine power (My power, v. 8; Christ’s power, v. 9) is best displayed against the backdrop of human weaknesses (cf. 4:7) so that God alone is praised (10:17). Rather than removing the problem God gave him grace in it. This grace is sufficient (arkei, i.e., adequate in the sense of providing contentment). (The Gr. words trans. to keep me from becoming conceited occur in 12:7 twice, at the beginning and end of the verse. The niv translates only the first one.) (Lowery, D. K. (1985). 2 Corinthians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 583). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Goodness: God Humbled Him (2 Cor. 12:7–8)
The Lord knows how to balance our lives. If we have only blessings, we may become proud; so He permits us to have burdens as well. Paul’s great experience in heaven could have ruined his ministry on earth; so God, in His goodness, permitted Satan to buffet Paul in order to keep him from becoming proud.
The mystery of human suffering will not be solved completely in this life. Sometimes we suffer simply because we are human. Our bodies change as we grow older, and we are susceptible to the normal problems of life. The same body that can bring us pleasures can also bring us pains. The same family members and friends that delight us can also break our hearts. This is a part of the “human comedy,” and the only way to escape it is to be less than human. But nobody wants to take that route.
Sometimes we suffer because we are foolish and disobedient to the Lord. Our own rebellion may afflict us, or the Lord may see fit to chasten us in His love (Heb. 12:3ff). King David suffered greatly because of his sin; the consequences were painful and so was the discipline of God (see 2 Sam. 12:1–22; Ps. 51). In His grace, God forgives our sins; but in His government, He must permit us to reap what we sow.
Suffering also is a tool God uses for building godly character (Rom. 5:1–5). Certainly Paul was a man of rich Christian character because he permitted God to mold and make him in the painful experiences of his life. When you walk along the shore of the ocean, you notice that the rocks are sharp in the quiet coves, but polished in those places where the waves beat against them. God can use the “waves and billows” of life to polish us, if we will let Him.
Paul’s thorn in the flesh was given to him to keep him from sinning. Exciting spiritual experiences—like going to heaven and back—have a way of inflating the human ego; and pride leads to a multitude of temptations to sin. Had Paul’s heart been filled with pride, those next fourteen years would have been filled with failure instead of success.
We do not know what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was. The word translated thorn means “a sharp stake used for torturing or impaling someone.” It was a physical affliction of some kind that brought pain and distress to Paul. Some Bible students think that Paul had an eye affliction (see Gal. 6:11); but we cannot know for sure. It is a good thing that we do not know, because no matter what our sufferings may be, we are able to apply the lessons Paul learned and get encouragement.
God permitted Satan to afflict Paul, just as He permitted Satan to afflict Job (see Job 1–2). While we do not fully understand the origin of evil in this universe, or all the purposes God had in mind when He permitted evil to come, we do know that God controls evil and can use it even for His own glory. Satan cannot work against a believer without the permission of God. Everything that the enemy did to Job and Paul was permitted by the will of God.
Satan was permitted to buffet Paul. The word means “to beat, to strike with the fist.” The tense of the verb indicates that this pain was either constant or recurring. When you stop to think that Paul had letters to write, trips to take, sermons to preach, churches to visit, and dangers to face as he ministered, you can understand that this was a serious matter. No wonder he prayed three times (as his Lord had done in the Garden [Mark 14:32–41]) that the affliction might be removed from him (2 Cor. 12:8).
When God permits suffering to come to our lives, there are several ways we can deal with it. Some people become bitter and blame God for robbing them of freedom and pleasure. Others just “give up” and fail to get any blessing out of the experience because they will not put any courage into the experience. Still others grit their teeth and put on a brave front, determined to “endure to the very end.” While this is a courageous response, it usually drains them of the strength needed for daily living; and after a time, they may collapse.
Was Paul sinning when he prayed to be delivered from Satan’s buffeting? I don’t think so. It is certainly a normal thing for a Christian to ask God for deliverance from sickness and pain. God has not obligated Himself to heal every believer whenever he prays; but He has encouraged us to bring our burdens and needs to Him. Paul did not know whether this “thorn in the flesh” was a temporary testing from God, or a permanent experience he would have to learn to live with.
There are those who want us to believe that an afflicted Christian is a disgrace to God. “If you are obeying the Lord and claiming all that you have in Christ,” they say, “then you will never be sick.” I have never found that teaching in the Bible. It is true that God promised the Jews special blessing and protection under the Old Covenant (Deut. 7:12ff) but He never promised the New Testament believers freedom from sickness or suffering. If Paul had access to “instant healing” because of his relationship to Christ, then why didn’t he make use of it for himself and for others, such as Epaphroditus? (Phil. 2:25ff)
What a contrast between Paul’s two experiences! Paul went from paradise to pain, from glory to suffering. He tasted the blessing of God in heaven and then felt the buffeting of Satan on earth. He went from ecstasy to agony, and yet the two experiences belong together. His one experience of glory prepared him for the constant experience of suffering, for he knew that God was able to meet his need. Paul had gone to heaven—but then he learned that heaven could come to him. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 674–675). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
12:7 the revelations. See note on v. 1. a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan. This was sent to him by God, to keep him humble. As with Job, Satan was the immediate cause, but God was the ultimate cause. Paul’s use of the word “messenger” (Gr., angelos, or angel) from Satan suggests the “thorn in the flesh” (lit. “a stake for the flesh”) was a demonized person, not a physical illness. Of the 175 uses of the Gr. word, angelos, in the NT, most are in reference to angels. This angel was from Satan, a demon afflicting Paul. Possibly, the best explanation for this demon was that he was indwelling the ring leader of the Corinthian conspiracy, the leader of the false apostles. Through them he was tearing up Paul’s beloved church and thus driv ing a painful stake through Paul. Further support for this view comes from the context of chaps. 10–13, which is one of fighting adversaries (the false prophets). The verb translated “torment” always refers to ill treatment from other people (Mt 26:67; Mk 14:65; 1Co 4:11; 1Pe 2:20). Finally, the OT describes Israel’s personal opponents as thorns (Nu 33:55; Jos 23:13; Jdg 2:3; Eze 28:24). to keep me from exalting myself. The assault was painful, but purposeful. God was allowing Satan to bring this severe trouble in the church for the purpose of humbling Paul who, having had so many revelations, including a trip to heaven and back, would have been proud. The demon ized false apostle attacking his work in Corinth was the stake being driven through his otherwise proud flesh. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (2 Co 12:7). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 7. And lest I should be exalted above measure, &c.] Over-much elated in his mind, and swelled with a vain conceit of himself: through the abundance of the revelations; for he had not only one or two, or a few, but an abundance of them; and which, as every thing does but grace, tended to lift up his mind, to stir up the pride of his heart, and to entertain too high and exalted thoughts of himself. Pride is naturally in every man’s heart; converted persons are not without it; knowledge, gifts, and revelations are apt to puff up with spiritual pride, unless counterbalanced and overpoised by the grace of God. This great apostle was not out of danger by them, for he was not already perfect; wherefore to prevent an excess of pride and vanity in him on account of them, he says, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me; many have been the thoughts and conjectures of men about what is here meant by the apostle. This ought to be allowed and taken for granted, that the thorn in the flesh, and the messenger of Satan, design one and the same thing; the former is a figurative expression, the latter a literal one, and explanative of the former. Some have thought that corporeal afflictions are here designed, which may be compared to thorns; see Hos. 2:6 and which are not joyous, but grievous to the flesh, and come not by chance, but are by divine appointment, and are designed and made use of, to hide pride from men; and sometimes, by divine permission, Satan has an hand in inflicting them, as in the case of Job: whilst such a general sense is kept to, it is not to be despised, without entering into the particular bodily disorder with which the apostle was afflicted, as some do: some saying it was the cholic, others the gout, others a pain in the ear, and others the head-ach; which latter it is said he was much troubled with; but these are mere conjectures: others think that the corruptions of nature are intended which in regenerate persons are left, as the Canaanites were in the land, to be thorns in the eyes and sides of the Israelites, Josh. 23:13; Judg. 2:3. These, to be sure, were felt by the apostle, and were very grievous and humbling to him, and were no doubt sometimes stirred up by Satan, which made him complain bitterly, and groan earnestly; and it may be observed, to strengthen this sense, that it was usual with the Jews to call concupiscence, or the vitiosity of nature, Satan; for so they often say, השטן הוא יצר הרע, Satan, he is the evil imagination, or corruption of nature; and particularly they call the lust of uncleanness by this name; and it is said of a young man of Israel, being tempted by a young woman of Midian, through the counsel of Balaam, that בוער בו השטן, Satan burned in him, and he turned aside after her; and that the evil imagination is the old serpent; yea, they call this the messenger of hell, a phrase very much like what is here used. “R. Hona, as he was preaching to the children of men to take warning, said unto them, children, beware משליחא של גיהנﬦ, of the messenger of hell; but who is this? the evil imagination, or concupiscence, is that which is the messenger of hell;” and this sense is agreeable, provided the particular corruption the apostle was harassed with is not pretended to, as is by some, who pitch upon the lust of uncleanness, and spare not to mention the person by name, one Tecla, who, they say, travelled with him, and was a snare to him; but this is to do injury to the character of so holy an apostle, and to represent him as exposing himself to the false apostles, against whom he was guarding: others think that a variety of afflictions, reproaches, and persecutions, for Christ’s sake and the Gospel, are here meant, which were as pricking briers and grieving thorns to him; see Ezek. 28:24 and which were given and ordered by divine appointment for his good; this sense, ver. 9, 10 lead unto, and seem to confirm: others are of opinion that the temptations of Satan are designed, which, as they are called fiery darts, which the archers of Satan, and his principalities and powers, shoot thick and fast at the saints, to their great annoyance; so may be here called, especially some very particular, eminent, and sore temptation, a thorn in the flesh, very pungent, and giving a great deal of pain and uneasiness; others suppose that some particular emissary of Satan, either some one of the false apostles and teachers, who greatly opposed him, as Alexander the copper-smith, who did him much harm; or such an one as Hymenæus or Philetus, that blasphemed and spoke evil of him; or some violent persecutor of him is intended. But, after all, I see not but that the devil himself may be meant; for, as before observed, the phrase a thorn in the flesh is metaphorical, and the other, a messenger of Satan, is literal, and explains it; and the whole may be read thus, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, namely, αγγιλος Σαταν, the angel Satan to buffet me; so that Satan, who was once an angel of light, now of darkness, is the thorn in the flesh; and might be suffered to appear visibly to him from time to time, in a very terrible manner, and which was very grievous to be borne; he might by permission have great power over his body, as he had over Job’s, to use it ill, to beat and buffet it; for this also may be taken literally: and he might likewise otherways greatly distress him by stirring up the corruptions of his heart; by following him with his satanical injections, suggestions, and temptations; by raising violent persecutions, and instigating many of his emissaries against him; and this sense is the rather to be chosen, because it includes all others that have any shew of truth. The Jews sometimes make mention of the angel or messenger of Satan mocking at the righteous, and buffeting them; so God is by them saide to deliver Nebuchadnezzar למלאך השטן, to a messenger of Satan. This sore exercise befell the apostle for his good, to keep down the pride of his nature; lest, adds he again, I should be exalted above measure; for such ends and purposes does the Lord, in his infinite wisdom, deal with his people. “The Jews have a notion that this was one reason of God’s tempting or trying Abraham with the sacrifice of his son, to depress that pride that was likely to arise in him because of his greatness. This temptation (they say) was necessary at that time, because above, the grandeur of Abraham is declared how great it was before his enemies made peace with him; and Abimelech, king of the Philistines, and Phicol, the chief captain of his host, were obliged to enter into a covenant with him, and asked him to shew favour to them, and to the land in which he sojourned; and perhaps hereby גבה לבו, his heart was lifted up, in the ways of God; ורמו עיניו, and his eyes were lofty; when he saw himself blessed with riches, and with children, and with grandeur and glory, as the glory of kings; wherefore God was willing to try him: with a wall of iron, (this great difficulty) to see if there was any dross left in him.”
Ver. 8. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, &c.] With respect to the thorn in the flesh, the messenger Satan, who gave him so much continual disturbance. This sent him to the throne of grace, to request of the Lord, that it, or rather, he might depart from me; this request greatly confirms the above sense, for it can hardly be thought the apostle would be so importunate about the removal of a common bodily affliction; and he knew that the corruption of his nature would remain with him as long as he was in the body; and as for afflictions, reproaches, and persecutions for the Gospel’s sake, he was well apprized they would abide him wherever he went; but that so troublesome an adversary might depart, as it must be greatly desirable, so it was a very proper request: and it is made to a very proper person, to the Lord Jesus Christ; who in the days of his flesh had such power over the devils, as to dispossess them from the bodies of men by a word speaking, and held them in subjection, and in a panic fear of him; and when upon the cross, he spoiled principalities and powers, and in the latter day will bind Satan with a chain, and shut him up in the bottomless pit for a thousand years. This request was made thrice, not with any view to the three persons in the Godhead. Father, Son, and Spirit; nor to the three usual times of prayer in a day, morning, noon, and night; nor is any exact number of times intended; but the sense is, that he frequently besought the Lord on this account. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, pp. 841–842). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
He turns at once to something else. We are invited to consider Paul’s thorn (12:7–10). We note how Paul was overwhelmed: “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” (12:7). Paul was in danger, it seems, of becoming so heavenly minded as to be no earthly use.
That was the danger. He might become “exalted above measure.” After all, the kind of revelations and visions given to Paul were heady wine. Paul uses the word huperairomai to describe the danger. It means to be over exalted. The only other place where the word occurs in the New Testament is in connection with the coming Man of sin “who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped …” (2 Thess. 2:4). To prevent this kind of hyperinflation of Paul’s ego God gave him “a thorn in the flesh” to “buffet” him. The word used is kalaphizō, which means to hit with a clenched fist.
Whatever it was that God sent his way, to remind him of his utter mortality, it seems to have assailed him along two lines. It is called “a thorn in the flesh.” The word for “thorn” is skolops, and it occurs only here in the New Testament. The word is derived from one denoting a pointed stake. It can be rendered “a splinter.” Whatever it was, it hurt Paul physically. It was both hurtful and humiliating. Some have viewed it as “a stake driven through the flesh.” It was, at this level, some kind of bodily ailment, and an excruciatingly painful one at that. Various suggestions have been made as to what it actually was, including acute and disfiguring ophthalmia and epilepsy. Whatever it was, Paul felt it keenly.
It assailed him along another line also, along the spiritual line, for Paul further describes it as “a messenger of Satan.” The word used is angelos, the usual word for an angel. Luther and Calvin both thought that one of Satan’s emissaries kept on throwing evil suggestions, or fiery darts, into his mind. If they are right, then the affliction was even more deadly and calculated to keep Paul ever on his face before God.
Paul was not only overwhelmed by the severity of his affliction, whatever it was, he was overruled: “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me” (2 Cor. 12:8). Thus three times the Lord prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane that “the cup” might be removed from Him (Matt. 26:36–46). Paul prayed and the attack was renewed. He prayed again and the attack was renewed. He prayed yet again and the attack was renewed. The thing, terrible as it was, was of God. So much for those who teach that we only have to “name it and claim it” and what we desire is ours. This false teaching is contrary to Scripture and experience. We can well imagine how Paul agonized in prayer over this assault upon him, especially when his prayers went unanswered. His petitions were overruled by God who knows best, makes no mistakes, and loves us with love beyond degree. (Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring 2 Corinthians: An Expository Commentary (2 Co 12:5b–8). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp.)
12: 8.9 During three periods of an intense flare-up of the thorn, Paul prayed to Jesus for its removal (Harris, Second Corinthians, 164-182). Paul’s request was denied but God made an even greater provision. The thorn drove Paul to acknowledge his weakness, and in weakness he found Christ’s grace (divine enablement) and strength to continue ministry with the thorn. It is the very confession of weakness that generates strength to endure. (p. 1823, The Moody Bible Commentary by Michael Rydelnik & Michael Vanlaningham)
FROM MY READING:
Deuteronomy 8
Moses reminds the Israelites of the Lord’s blessings on them.
INSIGHT
Following God has never been easy. God never intended for it to be. He tests us to know what is in our hearts and to teach us that we do not live by bread alone. When things are too easy, we tend to be ungrateful. We tend not to give God the recognition for His blessing. In chapter 8, we see God’s love and care, along with His tests and trials. We need both to be healthy. To grow, we need sunshine and rain. (Quiet Walk)
The Ways and Works of God
“He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.” (Psalm 103:7)
We have a distinct privilege, as believers, to know something of the “acts” of God. Scripture records many instances where He performed even miraculous deeds on behalf of His children.
There is perhaps a greater privilege—that of reflecting on His “ways,” as well. “Ways,” in this context, may be understood as God’s actions and behaviors that reflect His underlying character, resulting in His “acts.” Understanding His “ways” may not always be possible, “for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9), but nevertheless we are admonished to try and even pattern our own ways after His.
The people of Israel who had special knowledge of the “acts” of God were told to “walk in all the ways which the LORD your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you” (Deuteronomy 5:33). But, “oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!” (Psalm 81:13). “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12).
The New Testament echoes this same teaching: “Your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years. Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways. So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest” (Hebrews 3:9-11).
Moses, an eyewitness to the many magnificent works of God on behalf of Israel, went beyond and discerned the “ways” of God, as our text teaches. Surely, he chose the better way. (JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)
JESUS PEOPLE
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3
The end of salvation is that we should have eternal life. What is a Christian? What is Christianity? The definition given by the New Testament is that a Christian is a person who possesses eternal life. Perhaps the best way of emphasizing that is to consider how it is that we hold such a low view of Christianity and the Christian life. What is the average person’s conception of a Christian and what makes one a Christian?
Some people seem to think of it in terms of country. They still speak about Christian countries and non-Christian countries, as if the whole country could be Christian. Others think in terms of church membership. Others think in terms of living a good life, following Christ and His teaching, trying to apply it personally, and getting other people to do the same.
But according to the New Testament, all that does not even begin to make one a Christian, and the world is very often quick to detect the hollowness of the claims in such people who call themselves Christians. I was reading of a distinction that I think was common among many Chinese people in past years. They called all the ordinary foreigners Christians, but others they called “Jesus people.” What they meant was that they regarded everybody who went to China from the West as Christians, because they came from so-called Christian countries, and most of them claimed that they were Christians. But the Chinese saw that they were often drunkards and immoral and so on, and they felt that if that was Christianity, they did not want it. Then they found that there were other people who came from the same countries and who also called themselves Christians. But these lived a pure, holy, and kind life. They seemed to help people and were altogether different, and the Chinese began to c all them “Jesus people,” because they seemed to be like the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
A Thought to Ponder: The end of salvation is that we should have eternal life.
(From Saved in Eternity, pp. 125-126, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
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