- Benny Nalkara,CMI
Paul’s apostleship and ministry has been very inspiring and challenging model for the generations of the faithful in the imitation of Christ. The intensity of his passion, trials and sufferings are reflected in many of his writings. The Second Letter to the Corinthians is a letter showing the inner personality of Paul, his vulnerability, sensitivity, cordiality, anxiety, tensions, sufferings, trials, struggles and above all his absolute sincerity. The expression “thorn in the flesh,” in the Letter (2 Cor 12:7), is an example of the depiction of his struggle as an apostle of Christ. Paul describes a “messenger of Satan” or “thorn in the flesh” given to him by God to prevent him from becoming prideful due to extraordinary revelations. What exactly did Paul mean by this usage? There have been a lot of interpretations and explanations over the centuries about this expression.
The Greek word skolops can mean “thorn” but more often refers to a “stake,” like the cruel instrument on which criminals were impaled. Paul felt something like this stake twisting in his very body. The expression “thorn in the flesh,” need not be understood merely as Paul’s physical weakness or a private moral struggle. Anyway, in course of history, there occurred many interesting interpretations for this usage. The prominent ones are: i) Spiritual temptations—the temptation to doubt, to abandon his apostolic duty, and the sting of conscience when he faltered (Calvin’s view), ii) Opposition and persecution—the constant battle with adversaries seeking to undo his work (Luther’s view), iii) Carnal temptations—a view common among monks and hermits, who believed Paul shared the same struggle they did with sexual desires (the traditional Roman Catholic view), iv) Physical ailments—ranging from epilepsy, to recurrent headaches, to eye disease (After the glory on the Damascus Road passed, he was blind ( Acts 9:9). It may be that his eyes never recovered again, “See in what large letters I am writing to you” ( Galatians 6:11)), to malaria (which haunted the coasts of the eastern Mediterranean)—each theory attempting to explain Paul’s pain and weakness. It has been suggested that the “thorn” was Paul’s physical appearance. “His bodily presence is weak” (2 Cor 10:10).
More convincingly, “thorn in the flesh” may refer to the persistent hostility Paul faced from his own people, the Jews—his “brothers according to the flesh” (Rom 9:3). Paul loved them deeply and longed for their salvation, yet they opposed him relentlessly, hindering his mission at every step and even persecuted him. He had to face this constant battle with those who tried to undo his work. This constant resistance might have become for him a thorn in the flesh. He calls it “a messenger of Satan” that had a purpose of “torment.”
While such theories are fascinating, reducing the thorn to some physical ailment or moral weakness is neither convincing nor meaningful. Paul’s account of ecstasy in 2 Cor 12:1–7 may even be linked to the traumatic experience described in Acts 14:19, when he was stoned and left for dead. In that forsaken state, he may have had a profound encounter with the reality of life and death (cf. 2 Cor 11:25–27). This sheds more light on his spiritual experience than speculative talk of “Pauline mysticism.” To use Paul’s “thorn” as a precedent for spurious mystical claims or to compare it with later stories of stigmata is misleading. When Paul speaks in Gal 6:17 of bearing the “marks of Jesus,” he refers not to mystical wounds but to the very real scars of beatings and persecutions.
More convincingly, “thorn in the flesh” may refer to the persistent hostility Paul faced from his own people, the Jews—his “brothers according to the flesh” (Rom 9:3). Paul loved them deeply and longed for their salvation, yet they opposed him relentlessly, hindering his mission at every step and even persecuted him. He had to face this constant battle with those who tried to undo his work. This constant resistance might have become for him a thorn in the flesh. He calls it “a messenger of Satan” that had a purpose of “torment.”
We may never know exactly what Paul’s thorn was. What we do know is that it was persistent, painful, and humbling—so much so that Paul pleaded with God for relief. But God did not remove it. God assured him: “My grace is sufficient for you” Paul could transform it into a channel of grace. The meaning is clear- union with Christ is enough amidst any persecutions or sufferings. Even the “thorn” had a purpose in Paul’s growth and mission. Paul was fully human—frail, scarred, and vulnerable—yet completely yielded to the Spirit, so that his humanity became the very place where God’s power was revealed. This is the paradox of the gospel: in weakness, grace abounds; in frailty, divine power is manifest. Paul believed that God permitted trials to ensure Paul would not become overly proud of his profound spiritual experiences and would instead focus on God’s strength and grace.
Our own weaknesses—whether visible in illness or hidden in mind and heart—can become the very places where Christ’s strength is revealed. Thus, “man’s extremity is God’s opportunity,” and in our weakness, the power of Christ rests upon us. It is the glory of the gospel that in our weakness we may find this wondrous grace. Weakness can sometimes be seen in illness or physical disability, while at other times it is hidden in the heart, soul, and mind. God, who is all-seeing and ever-faithful, brings comfort in moments of weakness. God’s grace, resting upon us has a practical impact in daily life, it strengthens us in our sufferings and helps us to remain steadfast amidst all challenges.
