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Bring Back the Joy --- B B t J . O r g
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(This is a work in progress. Please do not take anything that is said
here as "Gospel." It is an attempt to write down several ideas on this
subject.) PAUL: THORN IN THE FLESH
One of the many discussions in the Christian world is about Paul's Thorn
in the Flesh. Theologians have questioned what was Paul's thorn for centuries.
It is most often assumed that Paul had some kind of illness that God didn't
choose to heal.In this message, I offer another point of view on this age-old question. First, let's read the passage 2 Corinthians 12:1-12 1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 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. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, Icannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words,which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 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 abovethat whichhe seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance ofthe revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, themessenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strengthis made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 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. 11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefestapostles, though I be nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience,in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. 13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. 14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not your's but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. 16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. 17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? 18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? 19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. 20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would,and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates,envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings,tumults: 21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. This is read that Paul had a problem. Some have interpreted it as poor eyesight or some other health problem. Another, and more probable interpretation is that this messenger of Satan was an evil spirit that was bothering him. (V7) Paul prayed to God three times that this problem would be taken away. God responded that his grace was sufficient. Most interpret this to mean that God wasn't going to "heal" Paul and that he'd just have to live with it. I offer instead, that this means that God is telling Paul that he had of his own self the means to get rid of this thorn in the flesh. One definition of Grace is that one had the chance to turn around and go forward. The desciples were given the authority to cast out evil spirits. Paul was a man of God. Had he lost his vision? Was he so used to casting out evil spirits in other people that he forgot he had authority over ones that came to bother him. Paul had the tools; he needed to use them. God's response therefore was that Paul should take command of the situation. The second part of verse 9 says that strength is made perfect in weakness. When a person realized there is weakness, then that's time to align oneself with God and use the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul goes on to say can appreciate infirmities because they draw his attention to the power of the Holy Spirit II Cor 12 My point in speaking to you last night about this was not that the thorn in the flesh is pride, which it clearly is... because Paul is concerned with pride, and then in that context goes on to describe the thorn in the flesh as messenger from satan. Rather my point was that this scripture, often used in a feeble attempt to deny Pastor Henry's teachings, in fact powerfully confirms them. And the fact that Christianity does not have this knowledge, is what makes this chapter such a hotly debated mystery, with no one, in their theological pride, presenting the right answer. How Apropos so the points are: 1) It identifies pride as an evil spirit 2) Paul points out that he made the mistake of expecting God to take care of it for him, by seeking to have it removed by God three times, rather than taking authority over it himself. 3) God replies that "Grace" the knowledge of what it is, the authority over it, and the time to work it out is sufficient.. don't ask him to do what he has already done. 4) Even the great Paul, with all he has done, and as spiritual as he is, shows by this that his concern about being prideful, even with a tendency toward it, is not warranted.. he is still a fallible human. 5) In Paul's error, they also misunderstand "to glory in his infirmities", christians try to excuse themselves by saying that God gives permission for them to live with their malady rather than confront it. That their disease or possession is for the glory of God, instead of the real lesson as seen in point 3 6) the primary problem that leads to this misinterpretation is that most misunderstand "given to me" as being done by God, When actually it shows that if you leave the door open, Satan can give you something you don't want, and God, by his own law and sovereignty has to allow it. 7) Rather God's strength is made perfect in human weakness... as we appropriate and exercise it! 8) Finally in verses 10 and 11 he shows that he figured it out, and that he takes pleasure in **confronting** the infirmities, realizing as a human, regardless of what God accomplishes through him, he is nothing compared to God, and also takes pleasure in what he can become by recognizing and working out his problems.... through access to God's power, God working through him.. |
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