What is the "thorn in the flesh" in 2 Corinthians 12?
Question:
i would like to add one more question is that, what does exact
interpretation of the scripture in 1 cor. that poul says there is a thorn
in my flesh,is he talking bout any desease or something else?PLs explain
me.
Answer:
I assume you mean 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Many commentators have debated
the interpretation of the “thorn in the flesh” of Paul. The most common
interpretation is that Paul had some sort of chronic disease or physical
disability which limited his ability to serve the churches. Some have
mentioned his eyesight as a cause of the difficulty. He asked God to
remove the sickness or disability from him, but God chose to not grant the
request in order to keep Paul humble and reliant on God. Another
interpretation is that this refers to some temptation or a particular
struggle, but not of a health nature. This is supported by the phrase “a
messenger of Satan.” I am not sure, and do not believe it matters all
that much what this thorn in the flesh was, as the teaching is the same in
any case. God does not “answer” all our prayers by doing what we want.
He will do what is best for us, even if it includes allowing difficult
situations in our lives which cause us to be reliant on him.
John Oakes