What was Paul's thorn in the flesh?

[Rico]

I've heard everything from his eyes to being gay. In my opinion, the whole point of this being mentioned in the first place is to let us know that there will be at least one thing we battle with, in this walk, that we will simply not be able to overcome. Paul said God allowed whatever this was to torment him to keep him humble. I believe God does the same thing with us.

[1Corinth2v4]

I solely believe it was persecution, and have enough scripture to defend that belief.

I don't believe it was his physical health, or any-other problem for that matter.

[MrsMcD]

Originally Posted by StMark

I've heard some specualte that he may have had
a mental disorder

[StMark]

Originally Posted by MrsMcD

why are you laughing-what is so funny??

[Scott Hutchinson]

It was a messenger of satan sent to buffet him.

[Scott Hutchinson]

It might have been a demonic oppresive spirit that tried to bring condemnation to him about his past.

[Jack Shephard]

Though it is an interesting topic to conversate over I do not believe it to be very important. Paul talks about it in the word, but then goes one step further and says I will glory in that 'thorn'. I think that the whole reason that it is mentioned is not to try and figure what it was, but to say this mighty man had something that he considered to be a great down fall, but yet through Christ he made it through it and was still a mighty man even though he fought something of which might have made him a chief sinner. It is clear that it bothered him, but not enough to use it as his crutch to not exceed at what God had for him to do.

[Joelel]

Originally Posted by Rico

I've heard everything from his eyes to being gay. In my opinion, the whole point of this being mentioned in the first place is to let us know that there will be at least one thing we battle with, in this walk, that we will simply not be able to overcome. Paul said God allowed whatever this was to torment him to keep him humble. I believe God does the same thing with us.

We are all tempted but don't mean we do the thing we are tempted in as Paul didn't.I believe he was tempted to be exalted.His temptation or desire was to glory.I believe the thorn was bad eyes,


Gal.4:[13] Ye know how through infirmity (weakness) of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
[14] And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
[15] Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.


2 Cor.12:6] 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 above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
[7] 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.
[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 strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me

[Rico]

Originally Posted by Joelel

We are all tempted but don't mean we do the thing we are tempted in as Paul didn't.I believe he was tempted to be exalted.His temptation or desire was to glory.I believe the thorn was bad eyes,


Gal.4:[13] Ye know how through infirmity (weakness) of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
[14] And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
[15] Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.


2 Cor.12:6] 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 above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.
[7] 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.
[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 strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me

He believed God allowed this to happen and continue to keep him humble. Thanks for posting the scripture. Who said anything about caving in?

[OP_Carl]

Originally Posted by Joelel

We are all tempted but don't mean we do the thing we are tempted in as Paul didn't.I believe he was tempted to be exalted.His temptation or desire was to glory.I believe the thorn was bad eyes,


Gal.4:[13] Ye know how through infirmity (weakness) of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
[14] And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
[15] Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.

Interesting theory.

Through the years I have heard everything from gay lust to pain from scar tissue from prior injuries.