2 Corinthians 12:7-8
The Context:
Paul is contrasting his clear spiritual eyesight and the visions he received from Jesus, with that of his present poor physical condition, wherein he had to preach with such physical infirmity, that he may not be puffed up at receiving such blessing of God to even see Heaven [Paul, speaking of himself in the third person, the one that was caught up in visions and revelations, as was made known from his first encounter [Acts 9:3-16]].
It is when we recognize our need of Christ Jesus in all things, even though we may be granted great gifts, that we truly see. Therefore, this thorn in the flesh was given [vs 7, there was given to me] to Paul by God that he might not be exalted beyond measure, puffed up, by the great things shown unto him, done for him, etc and so trust in his own righteousness, works, flesh, etc and come to be destroyed of that which was to be a blessing. God allowed Paul's eyesight to remain in the condition it was, to keep humility in Paul, and to help him to always see his need of Jesus Christ.
The word for thorn in 2 Corinthians 7 is the Greek σκολοψ, which means thorn/brier/prickly/pointy [like a stake or pallisade], as we see again in the LXX [Septuagint]:
[1] Paul could not immediately distinguish the High Priest from the other Council Members:
[3] Paul, though he personally wrote the letter to the Galatians [6:11], to show his great love for them, he normally used a personal scribe [amanuensis] to do so [see I Tertius, who wrote this epistle ... Romans 16:22] and usually just signed the letter once transcribed [see The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. 1 Corinthians 16:21 and The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. 2 Thessalonians 3:17 and The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. Colossians 4:18 and I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. Philemon 1:19], even though Paul was a thoroughly learned man in letters, writing, in several languages [1 Corinthians 14:18], etc [Acts 22:3, 23:6; Philippians 3:5].
The Context:
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. - 2 Corinthians 12:1
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. - 2 Corinthians 12:2
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth; - 2 Corinthians 12:3
How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. - 2 Corinthians 12:4
Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. - 2 Corinthians 12:5
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. - 2 Corinthians 12:6
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. - 2 Corinthians 12:7
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. - 2 Corinthians 12:8
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. - 2 Corinthians 12:9
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. - 2 Corinthians 12:10
I am become a fool in glorying; ye 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. - 2 Corinthians 12:11
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. - 2 Corinthians 12:12
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. - 2 Corinthians 12:13
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. - 2 Corinthians 12:14
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. - 2 Corinthians 12:15
But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. - 2 Corinthians 12:16
Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? - 2 Corinthians 12:17
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? - 2 Corinthians 12:18
Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but [we do] all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. - 2 Corinthians 12:19
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, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: - 2 Corinthians 12:20
[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 and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. - 2 Corinthians 12:21
The context of Paul's thorn [vs 7], was specifically said to be in the flesh [vs 7, Greek, τη σαρκι], and therefore was not an 'evil spirit', but an infirmit[y] [vs 5,9,10; Greek ασθενειαις, of body or mind] that was constantly with him, even though he had prayed to God thrice [vs 8] for it/thing [vs 8] to be 'removed' [vs 8; depart; Greek αποστη]. Jesus told him, that My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. [vs 9] The Greek word for weakness is ασθενεια and it means feebleness, weakness, disease of body or mind, and is the same root word used in vs 5,9,10 for infirmities. See again a mention in 2 Corinthians 11:30: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. - 2 Corinthians 12:2
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth; - 2 Corinthians 12:3
How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. - 2 Corinthians 12:4
Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. - 2 Corinthians 12:5
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. - 2 Corinthians 12:6
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. - 2 Corinthians 12:7
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. - 2 Corinthians 12:8
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. - 2 Corinthians 12:9
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. - 2 Corinthians 12:10
I am become a fool in glorying; ye 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. - 2 Corinthians 12:11
Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. - 2 Corinthians 12:12
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. - 2 Corinthians 12:13
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. - 2 Corinthians 12:14
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. - 2 Corinthians 12:15
But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. - 2 Corinthians 12:16
Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? - 2 Corinthians 12:17
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? - 2 Corinthians 12:18
Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but [we do] all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. - 2 Corinthians 12:19
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, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: - 2 Corinthians 12:20
[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 and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. - 2 Corinthians 12:21
If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. 2 Corinthians 11:30
We see that Paul twice called it my [mine] infirmities [2 Corinthians 11:30, 12:9], which he says was in the flesh and not of spirit. The part where Paul says, the messenger of satan, is referring to the infirmity of the flesh [Galatians 4:13], which he says was my temptation [Galatians 4:14], through which infirmity the devil/satan tried to get to Paul with over this matter of the eyes [Galatians 4:15]. Satan always loves to attempt to cause us to doubt God in his allowing certain things to remain with us for a time. Yet, God's purpose is to demonstrate His love towards us, in that He knows what is best for our own salvation. Paul was to leave his infirmity with God, and trust Him and continue where the LORD led him.
Paul is contrasting his clear spiritual eyesight and the visions he received from Jesus, with that of his present poor physical condition, wherein he had to preach with such physical infirmity, that he may not be puffed up at receiving such blessing of God to even see Heaven [Paul, speaking of himself in the third person, the one that was caught up in visions and revelations, as was made known from his first encounter [Acts 9:3-16]].
It is when we recognize our need of Christ Jesus in all things, even though we may be granted great gifts, that we truly see. Therefore, this thorn in the flesh was given [vs 7, there was given to me] to Paul by God that he might not be exalted beyond measure, puffed up, by the great things shown unto him, done for him, etc and so trust in his own righteousness, works, flesh, etc and come to be destroyed of that which was to be a blessing. God allowed Paul's eyesight to remain in the condition it was, to keep humility in Paul, and to help him to always see his need of Jesus Christ.
The word for thorn in 2 Corinthians 7 is the Greek σκολοψ, which means thorn/brier/prickly/pointy [like a stake or pallisade], as we see again in the LXX [Septuagint]:
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. Numbers 33:55
ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀπολέσητε τοὺς κατοικοῦντας ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἀπὸ προσώπου ὑμῶν, καὶ ἔσται οὓς ἐὰν καταλίπητε ἐξ αὐτῶν, σκόλοπες ἐν τοῖς ὀφθαλμοῖς ὑμῶν καὶ βολίδες ἐν ταῖς πλευραῖς ὑμῶν καὶ ἐχθρεύσουσιν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς, ἐφ᾿ ἣν ὑμεῖς κατοικήσετε, Numbers 33:55 LXX
In this passage we see a clear connection with the pricks [thorn] of the eyes and sides, which are the exact words Paul also uses. Further, we also see:
And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor anygrieving thorn of all that are round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I am the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 28:24
καὶ οὐκ ἔσονται οὐκέτι τῷ οἴκῳ τοῦ Ισραηλ σκόλοψ πικρίας καὶ ἄκανθα ὀδύνης ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν περικύκλῳ αὐτῶν τῶν ἀτιμασάντων αὐτούς· καὶ γνώσονται ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος. Ezekiel 28:24 LXX
Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths. Hosea 2:6 [LXX Hosea 2:8]
διὰ τοῦτο ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ φράσσω τὴν ὁδὸν αὐτῆς ἐν σκόλοψιν καὶ ἀνοικοδομήσω τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτῆς, καὶ τὴν τρίβον αὐτῆς οὐ μὴ εὕρῃ· Hosea 2:8 LXX
We, know that though Paul had been blinded by His encounter with Jesus [Acts 9:9], yet he later had his eyesight restored to where he could see [Acts 9:12,17,18], yet Paul had not clear physical eyesight, and this is witnessed in several places in the Scripture:καὶ οὐκ ἔσονται οὐκέτι τῷ οἴκῳ τοῦ Ισραηλ σκόλοψ πικρίας καὶ ἄκανθα ὀδύνης ἀπὸ πάντων τῶν περικύκλῳ αὐτῶν τῶν ἀτιμασάντων αὐτούς· καὶ γνώσονται ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι κύριος. Ezekiel 28:24 LXX
Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths. Hosea 2:6 [LXX Hosea 2:8]
διὰ τοῦτο ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ φράσσω τὴν ὁδὸν αὐτῆς ἐν σκόλοψιν καὶ ἀνοικοδομήσω τὰς ὁδοὺς αὐτῆς, καὶ τὴν τρίβον αὐτῆς οὐ μὴ εὕρῃ· Hosea 2:8 LXX
[1] Paul could not immediately distinguish the High Priest from the other Council Members:
And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. Acts 23:1
And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Acts 23:2
Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? Acts 23:3
And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? Acts 23:4
Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people. Acts 23:5
[2] Paul, in writing to the Galatians, speaks of their original love to him, in that they would have plucked out their own eyes and given them to him for use if they could:And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth. Acts 23:2
Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law? Acts 23:3
And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? Acts 23:4
Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people. Acts 23:5
Brethren, I beseech you, be as I [am]; for I [am] as ye [are]: ye have not injured me at all. - Galatians 4:12
Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. - Galatians 4:13
And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, [even] as Christ Jesus. - Galatians 4:14
Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if [it had been] possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. - Galatians 4:15
Notice, how Paul uses some of the same terminology to speak of this thorn. He used the words infirmity, of the flesh, in my flesh and in this instance he clearly speaks of the eyes as being the source of the infirmity.Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. - Galatians 4:13
And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, [even] as Christ Jesus. - Galatians 4:14
Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if [it had been] possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. - Galatians 4:15
[3] Paul, though he personally wrote the letter to the Galatians [6:11], to show his great love for them, he normally used a personal scribe [amanuensis] to do so [see I Tertius, who wrote this epistle ... Romans 16:22] and usually just signed the letter once transcribed [see The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. 1 Corinthians 16:21 and The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. 2 Thessalonians 3:17 and The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen. Colossians 4:18 and I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. Philemon 1:19], even though Paul was a thoroughly learned man in letters, writing, in several languages [1 Corinthians 14:18], etc [Acts 22:3, 23:6; Philippians 3:5].
