The apostle Paul mentions a “thorn in the flesh” that he struggled with in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. This has led to much speculation over what exactly Paul’s thorn in the flesh was. The Bible does not directly state what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was, but it provides some clues that can help us better understand this issue.
In 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul says “So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.” This verse tells us several key things about Paul’s thorn in the flesh:
- It was given to Paul to keep him from becoming conceited due to the visions and revelations he had received from God.
- It was a “thorn in the flesh” – likely meaning it was a physical affliction or weakness of some kind.
- It was a “messenger of Satan” sent to harass Paul.
- Its purpose was to keep Paul humble and dependent on God’s grace.
From this, we can gather that Paul’s thorn in the flesh was some sort of difficult trial or affliction God allowed in Paul’s life to keep him humble. Now let’s look at some of the most common theories about what Paul’s thorn in the flesh might have been:
Physical Illness
One of the most common theories is that Paul’s thorn was some sort of physical illness or ailment. The phrase “thorn in the flesh” implies a bodily problem, and we know Paul suffered physical persecutions like being stoned, beaten, and shipwrecked (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). Some possibilities that have been suggested include chronic pain, migraine headaches, epilepsy, malaria, eye problems, or recurring illness.
In Galatians 4:13-15, Paul mentions preaching the gospel to the Galatians despite an “illness” that affected his flesh. And in 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul advises Timothy to drink wine for his “frequent illnesses.” So it does seem Paul dealt with some ongoing physical ailments.
Temptation to Sin
Others suggest Paul’s “thorn” may have been some sort of troubling temptation to sin he struggled with. Since the thorn came from “a messenger of Satan,” it may have been a spiritual affliction like pride, lust, greed, anger, or other temptations that frequently harassed Paul. His reference to buffeting/beating his body in 1 Corinthians 9:27 could refer to resisting sinful desires and keeping himself spiritually disciplined.
Persecution and Hardships
A third possibility is that Paul’s thorn refers to the severe persecutions and hardships he faced as a missionary. After listing his imprisonments, beatings, and other trials for Christ, he says “Yet to keep me from being conceited…” (2 Cor 12:7), implying it is these sufferings that constitute his thorn. The “messenger of Satan” could refer to those who persecuted Paul and sought to afflict him.
Unfulfilled Desires
A fourth view is that Paul’s thorn refers to some unfulfilled personal desire. Paul was single and expressed a desire for others to remain unmarried like him in 1 Corinthians 7. Perhaps celibacy proved especially difficult for Paul. Or he may have had unfulfilled relational desires for a spouse or close friend. His thorn may have been longing for things like marriage, family, or friendship that were difficult for him to attain as a traveling minister.
What Paul Says About His Thorn
While we don’t know exactly what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was, here are some key facts Paul himself gives us:
- It was a physical affliction or weakness (2 Cor 12:7-9).
- It was painful and difficult to bear (2 Cor 12:7).
- It had a humbling effect on Paul (2 Cor 12:7).
- It was a “messenger of Satan” (2 Cor 12:7).
- It was allowed by God’s sovereign purposes (2 Cor 12:7-9).
- Paul pleaded with God to take it away (2 Cor 12:8).
- God chose not to heal Paul or remove the thorn (2 Cor 12:8-9).
- God’s grace was sufficient to help Paul persevere (2 Cor 12:9).
- God’s power was perfected in Paul’s weakness (2 Cor 12:9).
From Paul’s own words, we see that this “thorn in the flesh” – whether illness, temptation, persecution, or something else – was an ongoing hardship he struggled with. Though painful, it drove Paul to find strength and comfort in Christ alone. Through his weakness, God displayed His grace and power in Paul’s life.
Paul’s Response to the Thorn
Though Paul was tormented by this “messenger of Satan,” he responded in faith by turning to Christ for help. Paul pleaded earnestly with God three times to take the thorn away (2 Corinthians 12:8). When God chose not to remove it, Paul accepted God’s answer, believing that God’s grace would sustain him (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Paul embraced this truth: God’s power is made perfect in human weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Though afflicted and humbled by the thorn, Paul found joy and comfort in relying completely on Christ’s strength.
Paul learned to be content whether in prosperity or adversity, through the power of Christ (Philippians 4:10-13). His life was marked by suffering, but through it God taught him endurance and dependence. Paul’s response to the thorn became a testimony of God’s sustaining grace.
Rather than allowing the thorn to make him bitter, Paul let it make him better. He allowed his weakness to deepen his trust in God’s power. The thornpruned Paul’s self-reliance, keeping him humble before God and dependent on God’s grace. It led Paul on a lifelong quest to find sufficiency in Christ through every affliction.
Lessons Christians Can Learn from Paul’s Thorn
While we may not know exactly what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was, his experience still has important lessons for Christians today who also struggle with thorns:
- God has His purposes for allowing thorns in our lives – Paul’s thorn was given to him to keep him humble and dependent on God’s grace. Likewise, God allows difficulties in our lives to build godly character and help us rely on Him.
- God’s grace is sufficient in our weaknesses – We can draw comfort knowing that God’s presence and power are made perfect when we are weak. His grace is enough to help us endure and persevere.
- God answers prayer according to His will – Paul pleaded for his thorn to be removed, yet God said no. Like Paul, we must trust that God knows best and will answer our prayers according to His perfect will.
- Thorns can deepen our intimacy with Christ – Difficulties, when responded to correctly, can drive us closer to Jesus and lead us to experience more of His love and sufficiency.
- In weakness God’s strength is displayed – When we are weak, struggling, and dependent, it highlights Christ’s power which equips us to keep going. Our weakness puts God’s power on display.
- God cares about our heart response – More than removing the thorn itself, God cares about how we respond – whether we become bitter or better, whether we turn to Him or away from Him.
Just as God used Paul’s thorn to accomplish His purposes, He can use the difficulties and thorns we face for our good and His glory. Through Paul’s example, we learn that God’s grace really is sufficient to help us through our hurts and embrace his purposes, even when the thorns remain.
Other Biblical Examples of Thorns
In addition to Paul’s personal thorn in the flesh, the Bible contains other examples of figurative “thorns” that God allowed individuals to face for His greater purposes:
- Job’s Suffering – After losing his family, possessions, and health, Job endured painful boils all over his body (Job 2:7-8). Yet God allowed these thorns to purify Job’s faith and demonstrate His sovereignty.
- Jacob’s Deception – Jacob was deceived into marrying Leah instead of Rachel (Genesis 29:23-25). This relational thorn taught Jacob not to rely on his own scheming.
- Hannah’s Barrenness – Hannah was tormented by her inability to have children (1 Samuel 1:6-7). But God finally answered her prayer and used her thornto shape Samuel’s ministry.
- Israel’s Oppression – Israel’s disobedience led to seasons of foreign oppression. God used these thorns to discipline His people and draw their hearts back to Him.
- David’s Rebellious Son – David faced heartache from his son Absalom’s murderous rebellion (2 Samuel 15-18). Yet God used this thorn to develop David’s humility and dependence.
- Nebuchadnezzar’s Pride – Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar became arrogant, and God humbled him through temporary insanity (Daniel 4:28-33). This thorn broke his pride and made him recognize God’s sovereignty.
We see God allows thorns – whether disabilities, troubles, trials or temptations – to discipline His people, deepen their reliance and trust in Him, develop their godly character, and bring about His good and perfect will.
How the Bible Instructs Us to Respond to Thorns
Scripture contains principles and commands about how believers should respond when facing thorns and trials in life:
- Rejoice and be glad, because God promises reward to those who persevere under trial (Matthew 5:11-12).
- Let trials strengthen your assurance of salvation (1 Peter 1:6-7).
- Consider it joy when you encounter various trials, knowing God uses them to produce endurance and maturity (James 1:2-4).
- Cast your cares on the Lord when faced with burdens and affliction (1 Peter 5:7, Psalm 55:22).
- Wait patiently and strengthen your heart, because the Lord delivers the afflicted (Psalm 27:14, 34:18-19).
- Meditate on God’s word and focus your mind on His truth and faithfulness (Psalm 119:92-93).
- Ask God to sustain you and guide you through the trial (Psalm 31:9-16).
- Trust God’s sovereign hand, knowing He allows trials to discipline you as His child (Hebrews 12:4-11).
Believers can respond to “thorns” the way Paul did – with perseverance, contentment, and confidence in Christ’s all-sufficient grace and power, even when the trial is not removed.
God’s Redemptive Purpose for Our Thorns
Thorns have been part of the human experience since Genesis chapter 3, where God cursed the ground saying “thorns and thistles it shall bring forth” after Adam and Eve sinned (Genesis 3:18). Ever since the Fall, thorns and trials have been used by God to fulfill His redemptive purpose in His creation.
On the most momentous day in human history, the sinless Son of God wore a crown of thorns that bloodied His brow as He suffered innocently to provide atonement for the sins of mankind (Matthew 27:29; John 19:2). Just as the first Adam’s sin brought thorns, Christ the second Adam wore those thorns and shed His blood to purchase forgiveness and reverse the curse.
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice and victory over sin, believers have the hope of eternity without pain or thorns (Revelation 21:4). For now, God can use the thorns we face to produce perseverance, character, hope, maturity and greater intimacy with Christ. But one day, we will exchange our crowns of thorns for eternal crowns of life (James 1:12).
May we follow Paul’s example: facing thorns with contentment, allowing weakness to magnify God’s strength, and finding joy as we experience more of Christ’s love and power through the trials God permits into our lives for our good and His glory.