There are numerous theories as to Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” teachings. Popular theories of disease, persecution, and self-guilty have been presented in explanation of this scripture. Each of these theories holds individual relevance, but it is vital to address the scripture as per other scriptures, with a goal of truly understanding its relevance, purpose, and intention. The contextual relevance of scriptural intonation to both a spiritual, physical, and metaphysical purpose, within any scripture, should and must be translated through both direct and indirect perspectives.
In v.7 Paul plainly identifies “the thorn” as “a messenger of Satan,” purposely sent to torment him. The term “torment” can be translated to mean “treat with violence, strike with hand, or rain blows upon,” while it may also mean to harass (Dunn 1998, 118). When Paul asks the lord to remove “this thorn,” the lord clearly states that His “power is perfected in weakness” (v.9), to which Paul responds that “he boasts in his weakness.” The preceding chapter (11), Paul discusses this apparent “weakness” as hardships he endured in the preaching of the gospel. Therefore, “the thorn” can be translated to mean these hardships.
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At the beginning of chapter 11, Paul talks about “fake apostles” and “deceitful workers” who are inwardly negatively affecting the church. They transform themselves as “angels of light,” noting in chapter 11 v.14 that Satan also disguises himself as an angel of light. In Greek, the word “angel” is the same word as “messenger” (12:7) to which Paul refers to a “thorn.” In the Old Testament, the metaphor for persecutors of the church is the term “thorn” (Stanley 2005, 172) In this context, it can be argued that Paul, in saying “thorn in the flesh” was referring to an individual(s) who was opposed to discrediting Paul’s work and ministry.
Another theory of the “thorn in the flesh” statement can be that of pride and a feeling of self-righteousness that is enviable to human nature (Witherington 2015, 19). Throughout Paul’s writing, he is keen to point out to the effect or influence of human nature in developing pride as a result of being highly regarded by others. The fact that Paul was referring to a thorn that was “in the flesh” meant that it was a human nature issue that was affecting him (Schnelle 2005, 83). The pride of being the messenger of God or being held in high regard might have weighed heavily on Paul’s consciousness. He might have been asking God to remove this spirit of pride, which was a thorn affecting his ministry.
Another theory to this statement might have been a bodily infection or illness as clearly stated in Galatians 4:13-14. In this verse, Paul accepts bodily infirmity as a deserving “trial” that helped him find himself in Christ. He, therefore, regards the pain caused by bodily illness, worthy of his role in advancing the word of God. The pain of the thorn reminded him of the human weakness in him which was used to exalt and glorify the divinity of Christ Jesus (Baxter 1974, 63). He states that it is only God “who knows (v.3)” and that as a human one can only rely on the pain of the thorn to avoid being conceited “because of the surpassing revelations.”
Each of these theory touches on human weakness and the divinity of Christ and the purpose of pain in reminding human beings of their place. As such, I believe that “the thorn in the flesh” does not necessarily refer to something specific like a disease, pride, or deceitful Christians, rather it refers to the frailty of human nature. This frailty binds us to an individual weakness that allows us to appreciate the divinity, righteousness and purpose of Christ in our lives. As Paul stated, it prevents us from being “conceited,” and instead, through our weakness, we can appreciate and understand the purpose of Christ’s in our lives.
Bibliography
Baxter, Sidlow. 1974. His Deeper Work in Us: A Further Enquiry into New Testament Teaching On the Subject of Christian Holiness . Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishers.
Dunn, James D. 1998. The Theology of Paul the Apostle . Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishers.
Schnelle, Udo. 2005. Apostle Paul: His Life and Theology . Grand Rapids: Eerdmans Publishers.
Stanley, Charles. 2007. Landmines in the Path of the Believer . Nashville: Thomas Nelson. 2007.
Unknown Author. 2013. Bible . Colorado Springs: ACSI/Purposeful Design Publications.
Witherington, Ben. 2015. Reading and Understanding the Bible . New York: Oxford University Press.
