Was Paul's thorn a sickness?

Daniel Christ
Oct 22, 2023
31 min read

Updated: Jun 11, 2024

If this article has captured your attention, it's likely that you or someone you know is facing illness, and you've encountered the misinformed notion that because God didn't heal Paul, you should resign yourself to bearing the cross of sickness.

Read on to discover why Paul's thorn most certainly is not sickness but rather the constant persecution (trials and afflictions) stirred up by demonic forces, all aimed at hindering the Gospel of Jesus through the ministry of Apostle Paul.

"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."

2 Corinthians 12:8-9(a)

People take this verse and say "look, the great Apostle Paul prayed that God would remove sickness from him three times, but the Lord said NO". This is how I was introduced to Paul's thorn myself. But did the Lord here actually say "No, I will not help you?" Do you see the glass half full or half empty?

I was a relatively new believer who had converted from Hinduism. I had been raised from death bed and healed overnight from 4 months of affliction with deadly yellow fever (Jaundice) in December, 2008 after my aunt visited and prayed for me. Although I was healed of Jaundice, I had a long-standing constipation and allergy issue which persisted. I prayed and did not see relief. I requested the Pastor, he prayed. The Church put it in the prayer requests, still no results.

I was told that I had some secret sin, which was preventing God from healing me. I confessed everything I knew. For days, I searched my soul, attempting to recollect and confess even the earliest childhood memories. I fasted and prayed, yet there was no evidence of healing. I kept asking myself, 'Jesus healed me of jaundice when I was an unbeliever, why would He not heal me now that I believe in Him?' (Romans 5:10). I wasn't happy; it felt as though Jesus had enticed me into becoming a Christian, only to cease caring once His task of converting me was complete. A veteran, nodding their head, exclaimed to me, 'Once you are in the flock, He doesn't care much; His focus is on bringing the lost sheep. Signs and wonders are for unbelievers.' That hurt. It felt the same as if you were to flatter a girl, marry her, and then treat her like trash.

When I persisted in my quest for healing, the Pastor emphatically declared "You are like the Apostle Paul, God doesn't heal certain people just as He didn't heal Paul. If God healed you now you would go back to Hinduism" (verbatim). I was left high and dry. There was no more talk. I declared to God that I believed in Jesus because He is the Savior and will continue to follow Him, even if I never get healed, but if this is not true, He needs to bring me to the Truth.

A couple months later, my college friend, who knew of my suffering, invited me to a healing conference that was being conducted by their Church. That day I knew the past tense of God's word in 1 Peter 2:24, that I am not waiting on God for healing, the same time Jesus bore my sin he also bore my sickness and curse (Galatians 3:13-14). The pastor after showing that God neither afflicts His own children with sickness nor withholds the bread (Matthew 15:26), which symbolism Jesus used for healing - instructed to lay hand on the afflicted area. I laid hand on my stomach, then the Pastor prayed for the congregation from on stage and told us to command the devil to leave in Jesus' name. I did, and in an instant, it was gone. I felt something leave my body. I was healed. Where had Paul's thorn gone?

I realized I was begging and pleading with God to do something He had already done. He served food on the table and I was calling for him to go cook. All I had to do was stretch forth my hand and eat. That day, I was made aware of the authority of the name of Jesus!

How many of life's challenges have we mislabeled as Paul's thorn? Are we needlessly enduring suffering where we just need a revelation from God? One word from God can change your life.

Context and qualification matters

"It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 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." 2 Corinthians 12:1-7

Not everyone can claim to have Paul's thorn. Paul declares that the thorn, a messenger of Satan was given to him due to the abundance of revelations and visions of the Lord. These are the revelations which constitute over half of the New Testament writings. Paul said He was caught up to the third heaven, the paradise of God. Do you perceive you are on the same level as this Apostle Paul? If your answer is no; We can just finish this article and go home.

Keep in mind, Paul mentioned this occurred 14 years prior, and he remains resilient. The ailments often associated with Paul's thorn today—such as cancer, tumors, AIDS, and the like—typically don't allow individuals to survive 14 years, let alone travel by foot the known world to preach the Gospel, heal the sick, raise the dead, and establish churches everywhere.

What did Paul pray for?

Now, let us try to understand what it is that Paul asked for.

"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." 2 Corinthians 12:7-8

It is clear that Paul is asking that the demon (messenger of Satan) depart from him. He didn't say "Lord please heal me". You do not find those words in the text.

The Greek word translated depart is aphistēmi which means to make stand off, cause to withdraw one's self from, to remove, to desert, to stand aloof, to go away, to depart from anyone, to keep one's self from, absent one's self from, to shun, flee from. It appears 15 times (including above) in New Testament, all of which are listed below

"And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day." Luke 2:37

"And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season."

Luke 4:13

"They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. Luke 8:13

"But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity." Luke 13:27

"After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed."

Act 5:37

"And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:" Acts 5:38

"When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him." Acts 12:10

"But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work." Acts 15:38

"But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus." Acts 19:9

"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;" 1Timothy 4:1

"Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself." 1Timothy 6:5

"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." 2Timothy 2:19

"Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." Hebrews 3:12

As you can glean from above verses the usage of aphistēmi is to depart from around a person and not to come out from within a person. Why is this a big deal? Let me show you.

Consider the passage

"And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever. And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them." Matthew 8:14-15

The word translated 'left' in above passage is aphiēmi which is used to indicate lifting off someone, or departing from the body. The fever was in the body and it left her.

A sickness or an evil spirit has to be sent out from a person, in which case aphiēmi would be the appropriate use. Whereas the word aphistēmi, which Paul used always indicates an occurrence around (vicinity) or without a person. This is sufficient to say that the issue with Paul's thorn was not within his body or mind like a sickness or demonic affliction.

A text without context is a pretext for misunderstanding. So, let's continue to find out the context around what was said and why it was said.

Having founded the Corinthian church during his second missionary journey, Paul and the Corinthians had frequent contacts thereafter because of problems in the church. This was actually Paul’s third letter to the Corinthian believers. However, this is only the second letter of which we still have a copy. Paul wrote 2 Corinthians during his third missionary journey (Acts 18:23), The following is the sequence of these contacts and the setting for writing 2 Corinthians:

After some initial contacts and correspondence with the church, Paul wrote 1 Corinthians from Ephesus.
Paul made a trip across the Aegean Sea to Corinth to deal with further problems in the church. This visit was a painful one (2 Corinthians 2:1-2).
After his visit, reports reached Paul that antagonists were still attacking his apostolic authority at Corinth, almost persuading a portion of the church to reject him.
In response (along with the reasons listed above), Paul wrote 2 Corinthians from Macedonia.
Paul soon traveled to Corinth again (2 Corinthians 13:1), where he stayed for about three months (Acts 20:1-3).

Paul also defended his apostleship to these Corinthians again (2 Corinthians 3:1-3; 4:1-15; 10:10-14; 11:4-6, 13-15; and 12:12, 13:3). Paul defends his ministry 2 Corinthians10:1-18, rebukes false Apostles in 2 Corinthians11:1-15 and goes on give proof of his Apostleship 2 Corinthians 11:16-33.

"That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also." 2 Corinthians 11:17-18

Paul states that, just as the false apostles boast in many things, he too will boast. What exactly is he boasting about?

Paul boasts that he is bold.

"I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also." 2 Corinthians11:21

Paul boasts about his lineage that he is of the seed of Abraham.

"Are they Hebrews? so am I.

Are they Israelites? so am I.

Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I." 2 Corinthians 11:22

Paul boasts that he is a MORE OF A MINISTER than the false Apostles.

"Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more;" 2 Corinthians 11:23 (a)

Hope you are clear about the context here now;

Paul is engaging in presenting the proof of his Apostleship and list out all things he suffered for the sake of Christ. Let us slow down and take time to read out his list of sufferings:

"in labours more abundant,

in stripes above measure,

in prisons more frequent,

in deaths oft.

Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

Thrice was I beaten with rods,

once was I stoned,

thrice I suffered shipwreck,

a night and a day I have been in the deep;

In journeyings often,

in perils of waters,

in perils of robbers,

in perils by mine own countrymen,

in perils by the heathen,

in perils in the city,

in perils in the wilderness,

in perils in the sea,

in perils among false brethren;

In weariness and painfulness,

in watchings often,

in hunger and thirst,

in fastings often,

in cold and nakedness." 2 Corinthians 11:23 (b)-27

In addition to these outward or physical sufferings, Paul says he was mentally burdened with the care of the Church which comes upon him DAILY.

"Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches." 2 Corinthians 11:28

If someone has the right to be depressed, it would be Paul. 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 lists physical suffering without mention of the things Paul suffered emotionally. Here, in v.28 Paul mentioned the care he had for all the churches as an inner suffering. This is not to say that he was oppressed or fearful or defeated (see note 20 at 2 Corinthians 11:29), but that the weight of responsibility Paul felt for those he had led to Christ was a pressure on him that he had to continually cast on the Lord (1 Peter 5:7). But he chose not to be depressed, look what he says below:

"Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?" 2 Corinthians 11:29

Here, in v.29 Paul stated in several questions what he meant by the care of all the churches. This verse may be unclear from the KJV rendering, so let us look at a few easy-to-read translations.

"I am not aloof, for who is desperate and weak and I do not feel their weakness? Who is led astray into sin and I do not burn with zeal to restore him?" The Passion Translation

"Who is weak, and I do not feel [his] weakness? Who is made to stumble and fall and have his faith hurt, and I am not on fire [with sorrow or indignation]?" Amplified Bible Classic

“Who makes a mistake and I do not feel his sadness? Who falls without my longing to help him? Who is spiritually hurt without my fury rising against the one who hurt him?” The Living Bible

All of the things listed from v23-27 were talking about persecution and hardships that Paul endured for the cause of Christ and v.28 described the burden of the soul concerning all the churches.

In concluding his boasting, he declared:

"If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities." 2 Cor 11:30

Now let me ask you, in all the above things Paul listed from v.23-28 did you find physical sickness and disease listed? Go back and read again. The infirmities (plural) in context can only mean his sufferings for the cause of Christ. For someone to include physical sickness in this list is to violate the context, break the integrity of the scripture by adding to it what was not mentioned.

You might be saying, "But doesn't infirmity mean sickness?"

Religious teachings, rooted in traditions of men (Mark 7:13) have done much damage to the body of Christ. Infirmity is one such word. People automatically assume the word infirmity means sickness. The idea of Paul being infirm or physically sick is based on this word occurring in 2 Corinthians 11:30 as seen above and 3 times in 2 Corinthians 12:5, 9-10 where Paul talks about pleading with God that the messenger of Satan might depart.

The Greek word translated infirmities is (asthenia, G769) which means to be feebleness (of body or mind), want of strength, weakness, infirmity and does not always mean physical sickness. It must be judged by the context. If we blindly suppose it to be sickness, then these verses which have used the Greek word (asthenia, G769) would have the following meaning:

"We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities (asthenia) of the weak" Romans 15:1

Would it then mean we need to bear the physical sicknesses of other believers?

"For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity (asthenia)." Hebrews 5:1-2

Would it mean every high priest was physically sick?

"For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity (asthenia)." Hebrews 7:28

Would it mean only men who had physical sicknesses are made high priests?

"I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity (asthenia) of your flesh." Rom 6:19

Would it mean all the Christians at Rome were physically sick?

In context of these verses, it is clear they are speaking of physical limitations, inadequacy of

the flesh (nature); which seems to be the context also in which Romans 8:26 speaks of infirmity as not knowing how we ought to pray, saying "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities (asthenia): for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. “

I hope by now you can agree that you cannot blindly conclude infirmity as sickness. Now, let us continue along into chapter 12. Again, we must keep in mind this is a letter and was not written with chapters and verse numbers, it was added by translators for ease of reference. The context remains the same and it holds as it goes into chapter 12.

Paul, still defending his Apostleship, proceeds to give an account of his relationship with the Lord and boasts about the visions and revelations of the Lord.

Paul occasionally boasted about the revelation and knowledge the Lord had given him.

"If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)" Ephesians 3:2-4

Paul also affirms to the Galatians that the Gospel preached by Him, was given by the direct revelation from the Lord Jesus Christ.

"But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ." Galatians 1:11-12

We need to pause here and think for a minute.

Who gave Paul the revelation?

It was Jesus!

What happened when Paul received revelation?

It caused Paul to be counted among the Apostles who walked with Jesus.
Paul healed the sick, cast out devils, raised the dead. He did not fall behind anything the original twelve Apostles had.
Paul actually said "he labored more than all the Apostles put together" 1 Corinthians 15:10. Can you fathom a physically sick man laboring more than all Apostles put together?

Revelation is always contested

The bible describes an ongoing warfare between the purposes of God and the devil. Satan as an adversary was not revealed openly in the Old Testament writings, but the New Testament removes the veil and shows us that we are in a war. There is an enemy, that comes "to steal, kill and destroy - but Jesus came to give life and life in abundance" John 10:10

Satan worked against the purpose of God in the garden by tempting Adam and eve to sin and continues to do so even today. This Jesus explains as follows:

"The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts." Mark 4:14-15

Jesus taught us about this when He said in Mark 4:15 Satan cometh immediately when word is sown or we can say when revelation is given, for the entrance of His word brings Light (revelation). What do you think happened when Jesus gave Paul the revelation?

Do you suppose Satan came immediately? As per Jesus that is what would happen.

Again, the author of Hebrews decalres "after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions" Hebrews 10:32

The devil was coming to hinder, deter and steal the revelation Paul would bring forth to the Church. In light of these two scriptures Paul was not experiencing anything special compared to the other Apostles - none of them lived a peaceful life, all were buffeted. (1 Cor 10:13, 1 Pet 5:9)

Paul talks about the fight of faith in his letters frequently.

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:12

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" 2 Timothy 4:7

Who do you think Paul was fighting? God or devil?

Look at what the Apostle Peter said:

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." 1 Peter 5:8-9

Peter described the same issue when he said your adversary, the devil walks about as a roaring lion, looking to devour someone. Thank God it doesn't say the devil can just come in and devour anyone he likes. He needs an opening and we provide it when we don't have a revelation of the nature of God (i.e., we walk in misconception of His nature). One such opening would be to believe God uses Satan as his messenger, an errand boy, who does His dirty laundry i.e., making people sick, or afflicting them to make them humble etc. That's a misunderstanding of the scriptures as we shall see moving ahead.

For now, we understand that with revelation will come a fight with the devil, since the devil always wars against the purposes of God.

"Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations"

2 Corinthians 12:5-7(a)

The revelation God gave Paul enabled him to bring multitudes to Christ, he founded many Churches. In keeping with the context, being exalted in verse 7 is talking about Paul being glorified everywhere he went. He saw people raised from the dead (Acts 20:9-12), demons cast out (Acts 16:16-18), and many other miracles (Acts 19:11-12). The people in one city he ministered at exclaimed, "Those that have turned the world upside down have come here also!" (Acts 17:6.) There was so much power and anointing flowing through Paul's life and ministry that it was drawing many people to the Lord. They were saying, "I want to be like Paul. I want to have the ability to overcome adversity. If I'm thrown in jail for preaching the Gospel, I want an earthquake to come and set me free too!" (Acts 16:25-33.)

Let us see an example below of such exaltation, where people were bowing down to worship him due to manifestation of God's power. If you recall people were falling down at Peter's feet too (Acts 10:25) and just wanted to be in his shadow to get healing (Acts 5:15).

"And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people." Acts 14:8-14

And the Bible says God wrought SPECIAL miracles through Paul. Do you think these things can cause Paul to be exalted? This particular instance was not done even through Jesus' ministry where clothing that touched His body brought healing to people.

"And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them." Acts 9:11-12

"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." 2 Corinthians 12:7

The above verse is clear that the exaltation happened due to the abundance of revelations. In other words, exaltation is a direct consequence of revelations.

What does Scripture testify regarding Paul's use of his influential position?

I think that has been answered above in the defense of his Apostleship, he didn't even use his position for exacting money from the Churches. (2 Corinthians 11:7-9)

Does the verse suggest that Paul was prideful?

No corroborating testimony within Scripture supports this interpretation. We can know Paul was not prideful because the scripture says "for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble" 1 Peter 5:5.

And we read in the scripture that Jesus replied Paul by saying "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9.

We are talking about the same individual who proclaimed:

"And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:13

"Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth." 1 Corinthians 8:1

"Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up" 1 Corinthians 13:4

Did you know there is an exaltation that comes from God?

Jesus was exalted by God:

"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name." Philippians 2:9

Promise of Godly exaltation in the scripture:

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time" 1 Peter 5:6

"And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." Matthew 23:12

The Greek word translated 'exalted above measure' is huperairo which means 'to raise over'. It's a combination of huper which means 'above, beyond' and airo which means 'to lift up'. The word itself doesn't have any connotation of being arrogant or conceited as some translations might render. It is the same construction of the word huperanō which is used in Ephesians 1:20 to say "God set Jesus far above all principality, and power". Huper means 'above, beyond' and ano means 'up, above'

Being exalted, being lifted up, is good when God does it. The assumption that Paul was speaking about pride in 2 Corinthians 12:7 that Paul had a real problem with pride and arrogance, so God gave him this thorn in the flesh to break him and keep him humble is not a godly principle.

We just saw that the Bible says to humble yourself. If God humbles you, that's not humility, it's humiliation. Humiliation happens when God executes judgement, like in the case of Nebuchadnezzar, where humility sprouted from humiliation. I hope we are not willing to say Paul was being judged by God to make him humble. Humility is not something you can force on a person. It has to come from the inside out.

TO BUFFET, NOT TEACH!

There is also a school of thought which says God gave Paul the thorn to teach him something. This is proof of scriptural blindness because the text itself says - "there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me".

You might now argue that, while God may not have directly given it, He allowed it to teach Paul a lesson. Well, God will allow it in the same sense He has allowed the Satan to remain on the earth. Now does that mean God is working with Satan to steal, kill and destroy? How would you explain the rape, abuse, genocide, terrorism etc.? Jesus would disagree with you because He said "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10. If you need more clarity on the subject of whether God is in control of everything listen here.

Jesus clearly stated a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand (Mt 12:25) and if you propose that God uses Satan as his errand boy, who does His dirty laundry -- that violates what Jesus said John 10:10. The New Testament scriptures demarcate God and Satan (John 10:10, Acts10:38, 26:18, 1 John 3:8), there is no allusion in Jesus’ teachings that God sends the evil one to teach or correct His children – on the contrary he prayed that God would keep them from the evil one (John 17:15, Mt 6:13, 1 John 5:18)

From what I know 3 things are mentioned for teaching/correction

The Scriptures
Holy Spirit
The ministry gifts of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist & Pastors who are teachers.

At this point, maybe you might even think about how God used Philistines, and other nations to deal with Israel – I would like to point out “that was judgement, not correction”. Also, the evil spirit came upon Saul after He was judged by God, not before. I hope you would not be willing to say Apostle Paul was at this point being judged by God, because scriptures are clear there is no condemnation judgement against the children of God (John 3:18, Rom 8:1).

I had one person even say to me, though this thorn is a messenger from Satan it serves to produce godliness in Paul’s life. I would caution this idea, after all if a demon spirit could produce holiness in a disciple's life, then all of us must pray for demonic allotments instead of the baptism of the Holy Spirit, because He is the Spirit of Holiness (Romans 1:4) Attributing Holy Spirit’s work to devil is what the Jews were doing and Jesus considered it

blasphemous.

Greek word translated "messenger" here is also rendered "angel" elsewhere in the New Testament. (Luke 1:13; 2 Corinthians 11:14; Galatians 4:14, for instance.) Therefore, this was a demonic messenger, a dark angel, sent from the devil to buffet Paul, which buffeting he also mentioned in 1 Cor 4:11.

This same person, blatantly asserted that it is the Lord who gave Paul his thorn since the passive verbs in verses 2 and 4 refer to actions of God and would make it natural to see the passive verb of verse 7 also to be an action of God. We would do well to note verse 1 states ‘I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord’ and not from the Lord. Hence this logic does not hold.

In verse 1, the phrase "of the Lord" (τοῦ Κυρίου in Greek) is in the genitive case, indicating that the visions and revelations belong to or originate from the Lord. The genitive case indicates, primarily, possession or association. However, by the time we reach verse 7, the source of the "thorn in the flesh" is not explicitly identified as the Lord. The text reads that it was a "messenger of Satan" to buffet or afflict him. The passive voice "was given" (ἐδόθη in Greek) is used, but it doesn't explicitly identify who gave the thorn. So, while it's clear that the "thorn" was given, it's not directly stated that the Lord was the one who gave it. For anyone to say the Lord gave it would be adding to the scripture. But if you follow the context and common sense - we can conclude the messenger of Satan would only be sent by Satan.

Every time something bad happened, Paul saw it turn around for his good. People noticed this, and were saying, "I want that kind of power in my life too!" Satan recognized that Paul was drawing many people to the Lord because he was walking in such absolute victory and being exalted by God. The devil wanted to debase him and do something to keep him from being exalted. That's what 2 Corinthians 12:7 is talking about. And for this purpose, "there was a thorn given to him."

We have seen that the thorn in the flesh was a demon sent from Satan. But how does scripture explain the phrase 'thorn in the flesh'? Let us see.

I've had people who were sick tell me, "I'm like the apostle Paul. God has given me a thorn in the flesh, and I'm just supposed to bear it." Remember, it was because of the abundance of revelations and consequential exaltation that this thorn (demon) came. With those revelations, Paul wrote half of the New Testament. Therefore, anybody who hasn't had an abundance of revelations like Paul did shouldn't be hiding behind his thorn in the flesh today. Besides, this thorn was from Satan, not God.

OLD TESTAMENT IMAGERY

Furthermore, the people with a Jewish background in the church that Paul was writing to would recognize this phrase "thorn in the flesh" to be an active adversary who fights against you from the early books of the Old Testament.

"If ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to

pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your

sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell." Numbers 33:55

Moses told the Israelites that if they did not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before them, then these heathen would persecute and corrupt them. They would be stained and tainted through these pagan people if they let them live.

"Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out any of these nations

from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides,

and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God

hath given you." Joshua 23:13

The Israelites hadn't obeyed God, so the Lord said, "Alright, the prophecy that Moses gave in Numbers 33:55 is going to come to pass."

Once again scripture refers to people as being scourges or thorns in their eyes.

"Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns

in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you." Judges 2:3

When Paul used this terminology "thorn in the flesh," the original readers' minds immediately went back to the imagery in the Old Testament scriptures of Numbers 33:55, Joshua 23:13, and Judges 2:3. In each case, it referred to people who were antagonistic toward God's people.

This is further biblical evidence that Paul's thorn in the flesh was a demonic personality, a dark angel, a messenger from Satan that stirred up persecutions everywhere Paul went. Paul was a doctor of the law, an expert in the scriptures – he and his hearers would be familiar with the Old Testament imagery.

Let me show you this demon sent from Satan in action observe the sections emboldened in the text below:

Paul and Barnabas at Iconium

"And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them" Acts 14:1-5

Paul and Barnabas at Lystra

They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: And there they preached the gospel. And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe." Acts 14:6-20

In this one chapter, you can clearly see how the demon sent by Satan was persistently following Paul by stirring up people to come against him. Although there were miracles happening, it ended up in Paul being stoned to death. I personally believe he was raised from the death in this instance.

God told Ananias to heal Paul and tell him what he would suffer for Jesus' sake. Not that he was suffering his blindness for Jesus' sake.

"But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized." Acts 9:15-18

Let us have a look at the things Paul suffered for Jesus' sake:

Jews determined to kill Paul right after his conversion. (Acts 9:23)
He was hindered in joining the Christians. (Acts9:26-29)
He was opposed by Satan. (Acts 13:6-12)
He was opposed by Jews in a mob. (Acts 13:44-49)
He was expelled out of Antioch in Pisidia. (Acts 13:50)
He was mobbed and expelled from Iconium. (Acts14:1-5)
He fled to Lystra and Derbe where he was stoned and left for dead. (Acts 14:6-9)
He was disputing continually with false brethren. (Acts 19:8)
He was beaten and jailed at Philippi. (Acts16:12-40)
He was mobbed and expelled from Thessalonica. (Acts17:1-10)
He was mobbed and expelled from Berea. (Acts 17:10-14)
He was mobbed at Corinth. (Acts18:1-23)
He was mobbed at Ephesus. (Acts19:23-31)
There was a plot against his life by the Jews. (Acts 20:3)
He was seized by Jews, mobbed, tried in court five times, and suffered other hardships.

The Apostle Paul recognizing there was a demonic spirit at work due to the targeted persecution, asked the Lord that it might depart once for all from him. The tense for the word 'depart' is aorist tense, denoting the request was that the demon must depart once for all. The only way God could answer this prayer is to violate the free will of all people trying to come against Paul, since the demon was not working in Paul but in his persecutors (Ephesians 2:2). Instead, the Lord pointed to His Grace and assured that His presence and power was going to give him the strength to carry on. The Amplified Bible brings this out essence beautifully.

"But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9 (a) Amplified Bible

Just think of it, if God had redeemed us from persecution, and He stopped all of our persecutors, there never would have been an Apostle Paul. He himself had been a persecutor. Paul was there participating in the stoning death of Stephen. (Acts 7.) If God would have just wiped out all of the persecutors, there never would have been an Apostle Paul. God doesn't stop all of our persecutors. Rather, He reveals Himself to people through us as we continue to love them, forgive them, turn the other cheek, and follow Jesus. It's a powerful testimony when we continue to love God despite their threats, and God uses it. We aren't redeemed from persecution, but we are redeemed from sickness, since it’s part of His redemptive work . This is the reason Paul could wear his sufferings as a badge of honor and rejoice.

"Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength)."

2 Corinthians 12:9(b)-10 Amplified Bible

Eventually I believe, the Lord did give Paul some relief:

"Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city." Acts 18:9-10

The foregoing exegesis should suffice to dispel doubts about Paul's thorn being a sickness. However, for those still uncertain, let's explore additional reasons as an addendum.

1. God CANNOT VIOLATE HIS NAME

He is called Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals. Rapha is always used for physical healing in scripture, it means to mend, restore, set right. If He ever stops being a healing God, then he cannot be God, because by definition God is perfect and complete hence there is neither an inclination to change nor a necessity. If the name Jehovah Rapha is not reliable then none of the other names are reliable.

2. God cannot annul his FINISHED work

God cannot say NO to a promise He has already said YES to in His word”. (2 Corinthians 1 :20) If God could still say NO to a promise He has made, His Word is no Good. Healing is in Christ's redemption.

Whatever Jesus did with the sin, he did with sickness. Healing was a covenant benefit for the Children of Israel as revealed by the Eternal name Jehovah Rapha, and affirmed by Jesus as the Children's bread. Prophet Isaiah prophesied 700 years before Christ, about the bearing of sickness and sins, and Jesus did in exactly that order, He took the stripes first, which produced healing and then he shed blood on the cross for forgiveness of sins. (Isaiah 53:3-12)

"When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities (astheneia), and bare our sicknesses (nosos)." Matthew 8:16-17

The Apostle Matthew affirms Isaiah 53 speaks of physical healing by linking the physical healings Jesus performed to the prophecy (Matthew 8:16-17). The Greek words affirm in no uncertain terms these are physical sicknesses Jesus bore, in particular nosos is only used for physical maladies.

After the Cross, the Apostle Peter, affirms using the same prophecy and puts it in past tense "by whose stripes, YE WERE HEALED". 1 Peter 2:24

Now, how many did Jesus provide healing for? Has to be same people whose sin he bore i.e, the whole world (John 1:29). Is Apostle Paul included?

If the word of God declared Paul was healed by the stripes of Jesus, there is no way for God to NO if Paul prays for his healing. For in Him all the promises are Yes and Amen! (2 Corinthians 1:20)

3. Muzzle not the ox

Paul had tremendous healing ministry "so that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them." Acts 19:12. He even boasts that He didn't preach with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power" 1 Corinthians 2:4. The scripture says "do not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn" (1 Corinthians 9:9), meaning Paul could not be forbidden healing since He was ministering healing.

4. Sowing and reaping

"While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8:22

Sowing and reaping is a law set by God and it shall remain as long as the earth stands. Has the earth passed away?

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." Galatians 6:7

According to the law of sowing and reaping, Paul would receive healing if he was sick. God cannot say no, since Paul had sowed healing into so many lives.

5. praying that god would heal

Paul prayed that this thorn (demon) would be removed. That means he did not pray for physical healing.

Nowhere in the New Testament does anyone ever pray to God for healing and nowhere in the New Testament is anyone told to ask God for healing (since it's an accomplished fact as per 1 Peter 2:24). They are asked to pray the prayer of faith, and the sick shall be well (James 5:14-15).

The prayer of faith can be seen in action through the ministry of Jesus and Apostles, where you see them commanding devils to come out "I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her" Acts 16:18

declaring to people they are healed "Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed" Acts 9:34;

a command of faith to be obeyed like Peter: "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk" Acts 3:6 or Paul: "Stand upright on thy feet" Acts 14:10.

There is ZERO precedent of asking God to heal anyone in the New Testament writings.