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Question: Who put the thorn in Paul's flesh and why?

     Despite Paul's grand character, and his faithfulness to the
Lord, he was human, and as such, susceptible of being "exalted over
much" by his singular experience of having been caught up to the
"third heaven," the very presence of God (see 2 Cor. 12:1-6). To
prevent this, he was given "a thorn in the flesh," a "messenger of
Satan to buffet me." The text reads, "And lest I should be exalted
above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the
flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be
exalted above measure" (2 Cor. 12:7).

     The thorn (whatever it was) was  a painful affliction. It was
thrust into Paul by an agent of Satan.  The word rendered, to
"buffet" is used in Matthew 26:67 to describe our Lord's treatment
by the Sanhedrin the night before He was crucified: "Then they spat
in His face and beat Him...". So great was the agony which Paul
suffered from this painful disorder that three times he implored
the Lord to deliver him from it.

     Because a greater blessing would be Paul's with the thorn than
without it, the Lord did not comply with the request, but he did
what was in Paul's best interest. He did give Paul grace and
strength to cope with the problem. Paul acquiesced to God's will
(vv. 9-10).  How wonderful and how wise God is! He gave Paul what
was best for him, instead of what Paul asked for. Note also that
Paul did not merely resign himself to it, but he welcomed it "most
gladly" (v.9).  He thus submitted to God's will, "that the power of
Christ may rest upon me."   Paul's own strength (as is ours) was
insufficient. But "I can do all things through Christ who
strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13; cf. 1 John 4:4). What Paul wanted most
of all was the Lord's presence; His favor, protection and power.
Paul's goal was heaven!

     It is impossible to identify with certainty the exact nature
of the affliction (Deut. 29:29). Many suggest it was an affliction
of the eyes, due to the following considerations:
1. Reference is made to his physical infirmity to the Galatians
(4:13-14). At that time the Galatians would have "plucked out your
own eyes and given them" to Paul (v.15).
2. He wrote with "large letters" (6:11).
3. Some believe that the incident of Acts 23:1-5 may be indicative
of poor vision.

     Keep in mind the text does not say the Lord gave him the
thorn; it says the Lord did not remove the thorn. The Bible teaches
that some suffering is permitted by God, and overruled by Him for
good. As was the case with Job (2:1ff.) God's gracious and
restraining hand is never removed. (NICOT.447). The Father's
chastening is always "for our profit, that we may be partakers of
His holiness" (Heb. 12:10).       ---Leon Mauldin
                             


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