Paul's Thorn

Untitled Slide

• Why was Paul given a thorn?
• Paul's reaction to the thorn.
• God's answer.
• Lessons from thorns.

What was the thorn?

• 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Thorns throughout OT scripture

• Curse of man's sin, Gen 3:18

Thorns throughout OT scripture

• Curse of man's sin, Gen 3:18
• Sinful nations to Israel, Num 33:55, Jos 23:13

Thorns throughout OT scripture

• Curse of man's sin, Gen 3:18
• Sinful nations to Israel, Num 33:55, Jos 23:13
• Discipline / punishment, Jud 8:16

Thorns throughout OT scripture

• Curse of man's sin, Gen 3:18
• Sinful nations to Israel, Num 33:55, Jos 23:13
• Discipline / punishment, Jud 8:16
• Natural wall or hedge, Hos 2:6

Thorns throughout NT scripture

• Choke out the word, Mat 13:32

Thorns throughout NT scripture

• Choke out the word, Mat 13:32
• Makes a field worthless, Heb 6:7-8

Thorns throughout NT scripture

• Choke out the word, Mat 13:32
• Makes a field worthless, Heb 6:7-8
• Mock crown, Mat 27:9

What was Paul's thorn?

• Fleshly lusts? Rom 7:13-24
• Speech impediment or deficiency? 2 Cor 10:10

What was Paul's thorn?

• Fleshly lusts? Rom 7:13-24
• Speech impediment or deficiency? 2 Cor 10:10
• Eye or vision problems? Gal 4:13-15, 6:11
• Weakness, hardships, insults, persecution? 2 Cor 12:10

What was Paul's thorn?

• Fleshly lusts? Rom 7:13-24
• Speech impediment or deficiency? 2 Cor 10:10
• Eye or vision problems? Gal 4:13-15, 6:11
• Weakness, hardships, insults, persecution? 2 Cor 12:10
• We do not know....

What was Paul's thorn?

• What do we know?
• It was a messenger of Satan, v7

What was Paul's thorn?

• What do we know?
• It was a messenger of Satan, v7
• It was a harassment, buffetting him, beating him.

Why was the thorn given?

• To keep Paul humble, 2 Cor 12:7

Why was the thorn given?

• To keep Paul humble, 2 Cor 12:7
• Paul's revelations were great.

Why was the thorn given?

• To keep Paul humble, 2 Cor 12:7
• Paul's revelations were great.
• To harass or buffet.

Why was the thorn given?

• To keep Paul humble, 2 Cor 12:7
• Paul's revelations were great.
• To harass or buffet.
• Sometimes we need help with our humility

Why was the thorn given?

• To keep Paul humble, 2 Cor 12:7
• Paul's revelations were great.
• To harass or buffet.
• Sometimes we need help with our humility
• Humility is necessary, Luk 18:13-14, 1 Pet 5:5-6

Paul's reaction to the thorn

• Prayed for removal three times

Paul's reaction to the thorn

• Prayed for removal three times
• Jesus prayed 3x in the garden.

God's answer

• "My grace is enough"

God's answer

• "My grace is enough"
• Grace overcomes thorns

God's answer

• "My grace is enough"
• Grace overcomes thorns
• Brokenness

Paul's response to God's answer

• Boast in my weaknesses

Paul's response to God's answer

• Boast in my weaknesses
• When I am weak, then I am strong.

Our individual thorns...

• Pray that all hinderances to the gospel be removed.
• When thorns remain...
• Change my focus from thorns to power of God.
• Brag on God's power in spite of our weaknesses.
• When I am weak, then I am strong

Operation Reconcile

• Satan may punch us in a weak spot.
• Glory in weaknesses for Christ's sake
• Trust in God's power shining through.
• Keep planting the word.