Paul's Thorn in the Flesh

Aloysious Denard

Senior Seminar REL-498-CL01

Prof. Randall Woodard

8 December 2015

Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh

        In today’s society people would take things for granted. Individuals believe that they are entitled to whatever life has to offer. There are people whose ego is so big at times that even if they are disappointed with anything, there is a chance that they would come back to score bigger and better than ever. In the end, people do not take the time to tell God thank you. They do not take the time to say “Lord, I would not be here if it was not for you”. The God in which we serve can be a jealous God, but no matter what is done or said, He loves you to no end. No need to make excuses, not need to find reasons for our actions. Just like any parent, there is a time in which the parent need to put the child(ren) in his or her place when they are being seen as conceited or feeling as if they are the king of the world metaphorically. The entire thorn in the flesh is basically stating that God can bring anyone out from pain and suffering. This is where a thorn was placed in Paul’s flesh. “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. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 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. 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 Cor. 12:7-10).

        This research paper will explore deeper into the meaning of Paul’s thorn in the flesh. This paper will explore Paul’s past, and the meaning of Paul’s thorn in the flesh. The verse, “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 Cor. 12:9), is a verse that has a deeper meaning, which will be explored in this research paper. In researching Paul’s life, there is a careful way to analyze the "thorn in the flesh". In 2 Corinthians Paul’s life can't be dependably decided, examination of the speculations and ideas identifying with this "thorn" yields helpful analysis for contemporary Christians. This is a verse that will be explored not just in 2 Corinthians, but various other verses in the Bible. Many religions in which we face today such as, Baptist, Catholics, Jehovah Witness, Episcopalians, etc. each has a deeper meaning of 2 Corinthians, and that will be explored further. In looking at a comparison between Baptist and Catholics, one would be able to see the various interpretation of the same verse. Paul wanting the thorn to be removed and asking God to remove it, comes with a price. This thorn in the flesh that Paul said has been utilized and abused by Christians to legitimize submitting to about any issue that goes along. Satan has wound this section of Scripture to misdirect numerous individuals into trusting that God, and wanting people to further look at why God would not recuperate Paul, so in what manner people would lose their faith in God, and believe that He would not be able to mend Paul's wounds. Give us a chance to look at this nearly and discover precisely what Paul's thorn in the flesh was.