2 Corinthians 12:7-10 [There Was Given to Me a Thorn in the Flesh, the Messenger of Satan]

[Things to Meditate On]

1. In the flesh of the apostle Paul, there was what he himself called a "thorn," that is, "the messenger of Satan" (verse 7). Some people assume that perhaps Paul had this suffering in his eyes because Saul, on his way to Damascus, met Jesus and became blind (Acts 9:8-9). However, the Bible does not specifically mention where that suffering was. Yet what is amazing is that although the apostle Paul prayed to Jesus three times in order to be healed of his infirmity, Jesus did not heal him.

"My grace is sufficient for thee (verse 9)."

2. In fact, until then, Jesus had healed many sick people and those possessed with evil spirits through the apostle Paul (Acts 19:11-12). Yet Paul himself not only could not heal the suffering that was in him, but Jesus also did not answer his prayer for healing, even though he prayed three times. What can we learn through this?

3. Through Paul’s case, we can know that Jesus does not answer all of our prayers exactly as we ask. Just as parents do not give their children everything they want, for the child’s good, even if something is what we desire, Jesus may not answer that prayer "for the benefit of our souls." Therefore, we must follow the example of Jesus’ prayer below.

Luke 22:41-43 "41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him."

Thus, even Jesus did not insist that things be done according to His own will. Therefore, our prayers also must not be prayers that desire things to be done according to our own will, but prayers that desire things to be done according to the will of Jesus. In the passage above, the reason an angel from heaven could appear to Jesus and strengthen Him was that Jesus laid down His own will and desired the Father’s will to be done. The apostle Paul also confessed that when he instead accepted his suffering, through that weakness the power of Christ continued to rest upon him.

"For when I am weak, then am I strong (verse 10)."

[Decision and Application]

Through the thorn in the flesh that Jesus gave to the apostle Paul in order to prevent him from becoming proud, we can correct the vague thinking of those who assume that if they only believe in Jesus, everything will always go well. This is because, although believing in Jesus surely makes the spirit prosper, there may rather be suffering and tribulation in the flesh. In fact, even such suffering and tribulation are necessary so that all may go well with us (Psalm 119:71), but there are many times when we do not think that way. And of course, both the spirit and the flesh may prosper together (Ecclesiastes 5:19). However, because Jesus will work for each person according to what is beneficial and necessary, we must always live with the heart that desires our spirit to prosper more than our flesh.

John 6:63 "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."

2 Corinthians 4:16 "For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day."

If our heart becomes a heart of faith that is willing to sacrifice the flesh for the sake of the spirit, then we will be able to keep the faith to the end without losing heart in any situation. Through the apostle Paul’s willingness to accept the thorn in his flesh so that the power of Christ might rest upon him, we must know that it is far better for the soul to prosper through weakness and tribulation in the flesh than for the flesh to prosper while the soul withers and becomes sick.

2 Corinthians 1:8-9 "8For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: 9But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead."

Therefore, we must now learn to be content with the life currently given to us (1 Timothy 6:8). And even if our present life is very hard and difficult, if we seek to become stronger through the words of Jesus because we think of the spirit, then just as in the case of the apostle Paul, Jesus Himself will become our power and strength.

Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth..."

As this passage says, when we believe the gospel, this gospel will become the power of God unto salvation for us who believe (1 Corinthians 1:18). And if we can suffer shame because of this gospel, or suffer persecution and affliction because of the name of Jesus, then surely this must be a joyful thing for us.

Hebrews 11:24-26 "24By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward."

Acts 5:40-41 "40And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."

Amen.