Get Thee Behind Me
Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 2 Corinthians 12:7-8 NASB
It – Paul’s comment has perplexed exegetes for centuries. What exactly was his “thorn in the flesh”? A good summary can be found in Frank Viola’s discussion—along with Frank’s unique explanation.[1] Unfortunately, since we have only half of Paul’s letter-writing conversation, we will probably never know for sure what he had in mind. The Greek grammar allows both neuter (“it”) and gender (“he/she”), so the choice must be determined by context. But today we are interested in something else about this verse. We are interested in Paul’s discontent!
Three times Paul asked. Why? Why wasn’t once enough? This is Paul, Sha’ul, the man of vision, commitment and sold-out discipleship. This is a man who was privileged to see the third heaven (and what is that?). This is a man selected for a very special role. So why did he ask three times? The number isn’t theologically significant. But the fact that he was dissatisfied with the result is. Paul’s statement helps us realize that there is always a battle when it comes to submission no matter how many years of dedication precede the event. Paul’s statement also helps us realize that God doesn’t always answer us, even if we are fulfilling His will.
You will notice that Paul didn’t consider this a light matter. The verb parakaleo (translated “implored”) indicates that he pleaded with his Lord. He was distressed. He needed a resolution. He wanted his Messiah to act! But nothing happened, until he finally received the message, “Your request is not going to be granted. What I am doing in these circumstances is sufficient. Go forward.”
What about you? What about that distressing thorn in your life? How many times have you pleaded to have the Spirit of the Lord remove your burden? And for good cause too. “So that I might serve You better.” “So I won’t be so distracted from the task.” “So my life will be more holy before You.” But it’s still there, isn’t it? Still a barb. Still annoying. Still a taunt, a disparagement, a goad. You and I want hearts fully committed to the Lord of lights. So why doesn’t He do something about these vexing irritations? Why indeed? Perhaps our emissaries of opposition are exactly what He wants for us. Perhaps removal would change the game so much that it would veer another direction. Perhaps what is really needed, as Paul discovered, is trust.
Can you pray a prayer of gratitude for your thorn?
Topical Index: contentment, thorn, 2 Corinthians 12:7-8
[1] http://frankviola.org/2012/04/24/paulsthornintheflesh/
And To discover “it’s” impedence isn’t greater than my God’s go forward ….”it” teaches me as I give myself over to God in humility & vulnerability I am gaining more of Him ,His love , His life …a paradox
And the Answer Is
~ Concerning this I implored the LORD three times that it might leave me ~ (2 Corinthians 12:7-8)
Why? — [Why suffering?]
~ “that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” ~ (1 Corinthians 1.29-31)
The Rest of the Story?
~ 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)
My confession? My declaration of dependence?
I am weak, but Thou art strong,
Jesus, keep me from all wrong.
I’ll be satisfied as long — as I walk,
let me walk close to Thee.
~ By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff ~ (Hebrews 11.21)
I am weak but He is strong
Jesus keep me from all wrong
Just a closer walk with thee
Grant it Jesus is my plea
Good morning Carl.
Lord, you know me far better than I know myself.
Even though this thorn rattles me, I submit to your wisdom
and grace about its presence. Indeed, Your presence is far more
sufficient.
Forgive my moments of discontent. And thank you for giving me
my great trust in You. Your will be done.
Thank You. Thank You. Thank You. Amen.
I woke this morning with some old sensations running through my body. That old but familiar hum that starts when you are wanting things your way. I don’t like it at all. I was hoping I had seen the last of it.
Today will be a real test between my yetzer hara and yetzer hatov. The first major battle in a while.
It would seem that the desire for control is still with me. And my thorn in the flesh is my reminder I am not in control.
Today, thy will be done is going to be a struggle for me.
BUT what is different for me today is I do trust God. I might not like the answer but that just means I pray for acceptance.
And yes, I can pray with gratitude for my thorn in the flesh. It I hope will keep things in perspective for me.
Thorns sure can be a pain in the … side. Wailing and complaining is definitely part of the process. When I get a physical splinter, I want it out immediately. It is much quicker to remove physical splinters than spiritual thorns. Sometimes the emotional pain is long and drawn out. I’ve hinted at a major thorn I had awhile back and the emotions that went with it. For me, I lived a painful Biblical pattern. I hated every minute of it. But God taught me a lot…but the education didn’t start until the pattern appeared to be complete. I wasn’t capable of learning much during the process because it was too painful; the pain was all I could think about. The time for reflection came afterward; I still think about it from time to time but not in a bad way. It’s now a thing of wonder and amazement, and thoughts of what could have been if the other person involved had made different choices. God’s still using it to teach me things. Just this weekend, I realized that my one patterned thorn was really a total of 3 patterns, maybe 4. That was scary. More importantly, it gave me insight into Scripture applications that I might not otherwise have. Who can say if much of what Paul wrote about was a result of his thorn in the flesh?
“And answering, Yeshua said, ‘O faithless and twisted generation! How long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you?'” [Matt. 17:17]
Am I the “thorn” in HIS “flesh”? “Still a barb. Still annoying. Still a taunt, a disparagement, a goad”?
“Though He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered. And once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him—called by God Kohen Gadol (High Priest) ‘according to the order of Melchizedek.’” [Heb. 5:8-10]
IF “You and I want hearts fully committed to the Lord of lights”, IF we are sons and daughters of YHWH, IF we are called to be a “royal priesthood, a set apart nation” under HIS Melchizedek priestly order, then…..
“Perhaps what is really needed, as Paul discovered, IS trust.”
Perhaps I should just stop the murmuring, grumbling, complaining, and petitioning to have the thorn removed, “take up my cross”, and FOLLOW HIM.
“He was oppressed and He was afflicted yet He did not open His mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter, like a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.” [Is. 53:7]
““Amen, amen I tell you, a servant isn’t greater than his master, and the one who is sent isn’t greater than the one who sent him.” [Jn. 13:16]
His grace IS sufficient. May we, in our weakness, also be perfected. May we trust Him, humble ourselves, receive grace, “not open OUR mouths”, and learn obedience while enduring suffering patiently. This is our “spiritual worship”. This is how we love Him.
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers (and sisters), by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” [Rom 12:1]
HE IS WORTHY!
““Amen, amen I tell you, a servant isn’t greater than his master, and the one who is sent isn’t greater than the one who sent him.” [Jn. 13:16]
ESV – Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
Amein, Carl! Spot on!!!
So my question is: Why didn’t Paul just say what his tormentor was? Why couch his complaint in what seems to be ambiguous language?
I like your question Thomas …….was it because the process of naming his tormenter would be like claiming it & give it more power ??
Wasn’t it that before the cock crows three times…
Wasn’t it that Hosea proclaimed that only on the third day we will live…
Wasn’t it that Yeshua was risen on the third day…
I think three is very significant as in represents a turn from death or denial into life…
My needs alert me to the fact that something needs to be added. If I felt I had no needs, I would conclude that I had no needs (hmm). Growth occurs with struggle, for that is the nature of strength. Strength is required to be effective and safe on this planet, but I gain strength when I exercise my petition muscle (its my yelp! portion of my need (lol) for help). I have thought that Paul was empowered and protected to such an extreme extent because of what he was assigned to do, but he still needed strength personally, too, and he needed(!) to be continually reminded to ask for and be grateful for the help he could perhaps otherwise have been tempted to believe he did not need. It is so tempting to sit back and ride a wave when you find yourself on one! Such is the inherent laziness of the yetzer hara. Bleh.
I know I am late coming into this thread… but the question raised by Thomas regarding why he didn’t NAME his affliction or tell the audience MORE…. I, too, have wondered that for such a long time and, even using today’s technology… internet searches have ALL MANNER of wild ideas and suggestions…. still don’t know… however….
Perhaps it is so we can ALL relate to a ‘thorn in the flesh’ be it whatever it is….. but that we have this commonality and struggle no matter what/who/how the thorn affects us. It just does. We are alike and joined together through our struggles (as much as we try to keep them to ourselves). I find comfort in that NOT knowing exactly what his was.
You know, sometimes what you write in a letter to a GROUP of people isn’t the same as what you might say in a personal conversation. Paul isn’t addressing theology. He is writing about personal experience to someone who may have known exactly what he meant. We forget that this is just a letter, half of a conversation, edited for more than one pair of eyes.