What Was Paul's Thorn in the Flesh (Part 1)

Paul's Thorn in the Flesh Do You Have One? (Part 1)

We have all heard presumptive sermons from various theologians in the pulpit as to the nature of "Paul's thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7). A very large number of theologians believe that we are not told what this thorn in the flesh was and surmise it was some great trouble, some great temptation (actually have heard some say booze or liking immoral women), or some physical ailment . With some preachers, if they have bad feet, Paul's thorn in the flesh was bad feet. If they had bad eyesight, Paul's thorn in the flesh was poor vision. The possibilities abound in speculation without regard to the truth of the Word of God. The Devil was allowed, in this limited manner, to put stress on Paul by God. When he had asked God to remove the stress over this thorn in the flesh, God's response was that in Paul's weakness (inability on his own to overcome this situation) God would overcome the problem for the glory of His Word. Paul concludes that it is a time to rejoice when inabilities, lack of things needed, persecution, and "distresses for Christ's sake" occurred to him. Paul knew that when these things happened to him, God in response only made him stronger through His power.
“2 Corinthians 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 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. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 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. 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. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 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. 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."

The fact of the matter is that the Word of God clearly defines the nature of "thorns in the flesh," a figure of speech that was clearly understandable by the first century believers. Through applying an examination of the scripture, with the understanding that where an unclear phrase is used first is where God gives us the definition of the phrase, let’s go to God's Word to see exactly what a "thorn in the flesh" really is from the perspective of God.

In Numbers the inhabitants of the land would be pricks in the eyes and thorns in your sides (flesh). The "thorns" were people.
“Numbers 33:55 But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell."

In the book of Joshua, the remnant of the nations they had driven out of the promised land would be snares and traps, scourges (whip marks) on their sides, and "thorns" in your eyes (flesh). The "thorns" again were people.
“Joshua 23:11 Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God. 12 Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you: 13 Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you."

In Judges, the inhabitants of the land (again) would be as "thorns" in their sides (flesh). This third usage, "thorns" were people.
“Judges 2:2 And ye shall make no league with the inhabitants of this land; ye shall throw down their altars: but ye have not obeyed my voice: why have ye done this? 3 Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you."

In Ezekiel, God told Israel that there would be no more pricking brier and no grieving "thorn" of all (the unbelieving inhabitants) that are around them who despised Israel. This fourth usage, "thorns" are people.
“Ezekiel 28:24 And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor any grieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD. 25 Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel from the people among whom they are scattered, and shall be sanctified in them in the sight of the heathen, then shall they dwell in their land that I have given to my servant Jacob."

In Micah, the prophet declared that the good man was gone from the earth and that the best of them in Israel were like a brier and sharper than a "thorn" hedge, when had expressed sorrow for Israel's sins against God's will. Here for the fifth time, "thorns" are people.
“Micah 7:2 The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net. 3 That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. 4 The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity. 5 Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. 6 For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house."
In light of the scriptural definition expressed by God to five different prophets (men of God), it is clear that the only thing that "thorn in the flesh" could be would be people. One might question who were these people who were such a pain to the apostle Paul? In order to see the answer to this question, we need to look at the epistles written by Paul and find the commonality of doctrinal correction Paul addressed to the church repeatedly that involved people.

To start with, let’s consider the situation that Paul operated under in his ministry. Paul was a traveling missionary whose ministry was to the Gentiles and he did not stay for lengthy periods of time at any one place. During his four missionary journeys, the longest he stayed at any place recorded, was for three years in Ephesus with the Ephesian church. Paul's missionary journeys caused him to be away from the churches he had started through his ministry to the Gentiles and as the only natural means to keep his relationship with these young churches, Paul wrote letters to them. His letters were a mix of more advanced (meatier) inspired teachings than he was able to teach when he was present with them and scriptural correction of doctrinal errors and practices being taught and believed by the churches themselves.

Next, let’s look at the scriptural record to identify the people that were involved in the undermining of the sound doctrinal teaching that Paul had left with these formative churches, when he traveled on to the next location to preach the Gospel. Our evidence from the scripture comes from: Galatians (written around 49 AD at the end of Paul's 3rd missionary journey, Romans (written during his 3 month stay in Greece recorded in Acts 20:2-3 around 55 AD), 2 Corinthians (written around 56 AD during his three year stay at Ephesus), Colossians (written in 61 AD when Paul was in prison in Rome recorded in Acts chapter 28), and Titus (written to Titus whom Paul had left on the Isle of Crete when he had left to move on with his fourth missionary journey around 59 AD). In these five epistles we find the record of the people who were causing all of the confusion in the Church.

In order to see the seed of this "thorn in the flesh," we need to read the account of the revelation from God to Peter concerning the Gentiles, his subsequent trip to the household of Cornelius' in Caesarea, and the results of his trip. Peter, knowing that going to a Gentile might present him problems, he took "certain brethren from Joppa" to accompany him (Acts 10.:23) The result of this trip was, that while he was still speaking God's Word, Cornelius' family and household got born again with the same outpouring of Holy Spirit as the Jewish believers had received on the day of Pentecost (recorded in Acts chapter 2). The coming problem can be seen when Peter reports back to the center of the church which was at Jerusalem. Acts 11:2-3 indicates the immediate reaction was that the "circumcision", the Jewish believers, got upset with him and reproved him for having anything to do with the Gentiles. This was the first conversion of a gentile (substantiated with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit) to be told of to the church in Jerusalem.
“Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days."
“Acts 11:1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, 3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. 4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and expounded it by order unto them, saying, 5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me: 6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. 8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth. 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me. 12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house: 13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. 17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life."

Next, in conjunction with the foregoing record, we need to look at the accuracy of the doctrine Paul taught to the Gentiles on his missionary journeys. Everywhere Paul went to preach the Gospel of Christ, he taught rightly that the Gentiles were under no obligation to be circumcised, that their believing to receive the new birth excluded them from the old covenant of the laws requirement to be circumcised. Paul taught this to the church at Corinth. He taught them that circumcision was no longer anything required of a believer and that they should remain "as is" as they were called to believe through the teaching of the Gospel.
“1 Corinthians 7:17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. 18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. 21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God."

Paul also taught both the believing Gentiles and Jews the liberty (freedom) we have in Christ Jesus. The members of the Body of Christ had freedom to enjoy all of the things God had created without the stringent regulations of the law as to what to eat, what to drink, or whatever they did as long as they did all to the glory of God. They only stipulation on this freedom was to be aware of those believers who were weak in their understanding of our freedom so as not to cause them to stumble.
“1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."
“1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. 24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. 25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: 29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience? 30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved."

For clarification of this "thorn in the flesh", first we need to look past some of the earlier examples Paul wrote of to gain a full understanding of what this "thorn" was. The following event in the ministry of Paul transpired about 60 AD, when he arrived in Jerusalem and afterward was subsequently placed under arrest and transported to Rome to appeal to Caesar. The Many "Thousands of Jews" that "were born again believers" (and Paul's "thorn in the flesh"), who were zealous for the law (wanted the Gentile believers to submit to circumcision and the ordinances of the Old Testament law) at this time set out to beat Paul to death. They felt he deserved to die for his "sin" of teaching that the Law of Moses and circumcision had been replaced by the greater Law of Christ. PEOPLE are the "thorn in the flesh" for ministries who go against the popular opinion and teach the truth of God's Word. If your ministry is not experiencing some "thorns in the flesh" perhaps you have wandered out of the herd of sheep and gotten lost in the goats.
“Acts 21:18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. 19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: 21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. 22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. 23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; 24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. 25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them. 27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him, 28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. 29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) 30 And all the city was moved, and
the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. 31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul."