gcdonner wrote:2Co_12:7 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.
What was Paul referring to when he spoke of his "thorn in the flesh"?
Was it a physical ailment that Satan had afflicted him with?
Was it demonic oppression?
Was it a person/people who constantly goaded him?
Was it mental illness?
Epilepsy?
Ophthalmia?
Sensual temptations?
Depression?
Please share your thoughts, with scriptural support for your opinion.
Great topic, George
Personally, I'm glad that Paul never specifically identified his "thorn". He was an outstanding teacher and through the use of a generalized reference it encourages every Believer to examine himself for his own "thorns" and besetting sins. It becomes the personal problem we all have, not just Paul.
My contribution to that list is "pride": Paul was a very well educated Pharisee. As happens, this comes with a certain amount of self-pride derived from his elevated social status. We all know how dangerous pride can be, causing the fall of angels; and it's often used by satan to ensnare the Faithful.
Paul was always humbling himself verbally, almost as if seeking an antidote to his pride: "Least of the apostles; least of the saints; that gives me no ground for boasting..." He does this multiple times in his various epistles.
Lastly, it may well be that Paul was beset with all of these temptations that are listed and the "thorn" itself was the repeated assault from satan using various means on Paul.
It's a discussion that's occupied us for centuries past and into the future until our dying day ... if ever we live that long.
