The above phrase is taken from the second letter the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, where he explained his “thorn in the flesh”, 12:7.
A great deal of study and speculation has centered around the question of just exactly what Paul’s thorn was. Some believe it was an eye problem, and there appears to be some evidence for that. The apostle at least sometimes used an amanuensis, one who took dictation, rather than do the writing himself, Romans 16:22, and other passages seem to indicate that writing with his own hand may have been unusual, such as 1st Corinthians 16:21 & 2nd Thessalonians 3:17. He also used large letters at least one time when he wrote and specifically mentioned this, which letters may have been oversized to accommodate weak sight, Galatians 6:11.
But then again, what if Paul’s thorn was more deeply rooted in some spiritual struggle? He contrasted the flesh with the Spirit in Galatians 5:16-21 naming a long list of the sinful works of the flesh. Was his thorn possibly some plaguing desire with which he had to cope on a regular basis? Who knows? Only Paul and the Good Lord know.
At any rate, if we focus on the question of what the thorn was, we miss the point.
What was and remains the point is that God was dealing with Paul as with a son. The letter to the Hebrews (perhaps written by Paul) quotes Proverbs:
My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him; for those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.
Hebrews 12:5-6
Why did God deal lovingly, yet painfully, with Paul? The apostle himself says that it was to prevent him from being lifted up with pride. Pride, apparently Satan’s motivation to rebellion, was noted by Paul as he dictated the qualifications of overseers:
…not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into
the condemnation incurred by the devil. 1st Timothy 3:6
John names only three categories of sin, the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life, 1st John 2:15-17. All three categories were involved when Satan tempted Eve, and also when he tempted our Lord Jesus, Genesis 3:1-7 & Matthew 4:1-11 respectively. Think about it. For how much temptation and sin does our pride account?
How did Paul respond to his pride-preventing thorn? He accepted, and rather learned to prefer, the power God gave him to cope with his thorn rather than to be delivered from it (see 2nd Corinthians 12:8-10) . That is truly a servant’s heart. It is of interest to me that the true character of Almighty God cannot be revealed in a heart of pride, but rather in one of humility.
Marty Kessler