2 Corinthians 12:8-9

THE ‘THORN IN THE FLESH’

‘For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’

2 Corinthians 12:8

Whatever the exact nature of this affliction may have been, there is one point upon which we cannot be mistaken.

I. He tells us himself that it seemed to him to be a ‘messenger of Satan.’—It was not merely a suffering. That he could have borne with joy. He has told us already of many different sufferings and trials, which were very grievous in themselves, but were very easy to bear compared with this, because their nature seemed to be different. This seemed to come directly from the power of evil. It seemed to have come upon him expressly that it might oppose the will and purpose of God concerning him. Just when he was most longing to be strong in the spirit, this made him feel the infirmity of the flesh. Just when he was ready to wrestle with principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world, this ‘messenger of Satan’ reminded him that his strength was utter weakness. It seemed to thwart and hinder the work which he was doing for God in the world, and the work which God was doing in his own heart. It seemed to him that, if it were not for this, he might be more of an Apostle, a better soldier of the Cross, more able to accomplish the mission upon which he felt that God had sent him. His thoughts sometimes dwelt in sadness upon what his life might have been, how much better, how much brighter, how much nearer heaven, if he were delivered from this one burden.

II. And his heart’s desire was that it might be removed.—And while the cherished hope was still deferred, he cast his burden upon the Lord. Time after time that heart’s desire was ‘made known unto God,’ and the strong fervent prayer rose before the Throne that the evil thing might depart from him. Surely we should expect that such a prayer must be granted. It was the fervent prayer of a righteous man praying righteously, praying, that is, not for his own ease, but for God’s glory; asking, not that he might enjoy life more, but that he might be enabled to work better for God; staying himself upon such words as these, ‘Ask and ye shall have, seek and ye shall find.’ Yet the thorn in the flesh did not depart. And are we then to believe that that fervent prayer was offered in vain? When we think of this passage in the life of the Apostle, we cannot but be reminded of another and Diviner prayer, which also seemed to be denied. For we know that the Son of Man lay prostrate in the Garden of Gethsemane, and with strong crying and tears poured out the request of His heart, saying, ‘Father, all things are possible unto Thee; take away this cup from Me.’ And the cup was not taken away. But it was the prayer of One Who said, ‘Father, I know that Thou hearest Me alway.’ The cup did not pass away, but ‘Behold there appeared unto Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him.’ And as with the Master so with the servant.

III. The prayer might seem to be denied, but an answer came.—‘And He said, My Grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ He had been thinking of his own weakness, but when the answer came it spoke only of God’s strength. His thoughts had been dwelling sadly upon the gloom which darkened his life, the burden which pressed upon his spirit; but the heavenly answer does not touch upon that burden; there is not a word of that gloom; it only bids the eye which was closed in darkness look up and behold the Sun shining in His strength. ‘My Grace is sufficient for thee.’ O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Not that heavy burden, but thine own downward look, hath made thee faint. Look up to the infinite mercy. When thou art in heaviness, think upon God; when thou art in weakness, lay hold on Strength. Not for an instant shall the sufficient Grace be wanting. Eternal Love must needs be strong enough to bless. ‘My strength is made perfect in weakness.’

Illustration

‘What was the “thorn”? It might have been some bodily pain, possibly an affection of the eyes. Or some temptation of the world, the flesh, or the devil. Or the opposition and persecutions and troubles he met with everywhere, so Chrysostom and the Greek Fathers took it. But whatever it was, it certainly worked for St. Paul’s own good. It taught him the power of Christ. “Continually we are weakened by some remaining reliance on our own strength. Our talent, eloquence, science, influence, forms within a little favoured sanctuary, which our jealous pride keeps closed against the strength which God would give. Only when this is given up in self-resignation can we be filled with all the fullness of God.” And this trouble certainly worked for the good of others, for think of the millions who have been helped and comforted and blessed by the words “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” ’