Thorn in the Flesh: How to Embrace Weakness (2 Corinthians 11)
How do you make sense of ongoing weakness, unanswered prayer, or personal limitation, especially when you are faithfully trying to serve God? In this episode, we will look at Paul’s mysterious “thorn in the flesh” and why God sometimes says no.
If you have ever felt like your weakness disqualifies you, this passage may change how you see your story.
The Setting: Paul’s Final Section and His Opponents
When we left Paul last week in chapter 11, he engaged in what he called foolish boasting. His opponents not only rejected Paul, they boasted about their own superiority. So Paul decides to give them a taste of their own medicine. He says, this is foolish, but if they are going to boast this way, then let me show you I can beat them at this game.
They boast that they have authority because they are Jewish. He replies, I am Jewish too.
They boast that they are hardworking, self-sacrificing servants of Christ. He replies, I am even more so.
Then Paul gives a description of the sufferings he experienced because he is an apostle. He highlighted the seriousness and significance of his sufferings for Christ.
But from the perspective of Paul’s opponents, those sufferings make him look weak.
Boasting in Weakness and the Damascus Escape
If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands. – 2 Corinthians 11:30-33
Two questions come to mind.
- What does Paul mean by boasting in what pertains to his weakness?
- Why does he tell this story about being let down in a basket in Damascus?
He just told dramatic stories about being beaten with rods, whipped and shipwrecked, and then he ends with this story about how he was let down out of the city in a basket. What is he thinking?
Let’s review his foolish boasting. He said, are they Jewish? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I am more so.
If you had not read what comes next, what would you expect him to list to prove he is a better servant of Christ?
We might expect a list like this: I converted many people in Athens. I founded many churches in Macedonia. I freed many people from demon possession. I received the blessing of the church in Jerusalem. I preached before kings and rulers.
That list would demonstrate what a great servant of Christ Paul is. It is about significance and power. And it is true that Paul accomplished many impressive things throughout his ministry.
But the list Paul actually gives also looks like the description of a loser from the perspective of his opponents. His claim to fame is being beaten, whipped, in fear for his life, and oppressed by his worries over the people he ministers to. Where is the victory? Where is the power?
Paul knows how this list sounds. So he embraces the implications head on: If I have to boast, I will boast in what pertains to my weakness. I admit it. I have suffered and I have faced death over and over again. I am not embarrassed that this list shows my weaknesses. My weakness is an important part of my true boast.
As an apostle, he sees himself as a weak man serving a powerful God. That motivates him to tell the story about his retreat from Damascus.
His opponents would like him to tell a story like this: I was opposed by the governor of Damascus, but I appeared before him and frightened him with the power of my miracles. He tried to fight me, but I was too powerful. In the end, he knelt before me and acknowledged that Jesus is the king of the world.
Instead, Paul tells an embarrassing story of how he had to be rescued. He had obviously stirred up resentment. The Jews were involved in a plot to get him. There was nothing he could do. He had to be sneaked out of the city by others.
At night, they put him in a basket and lowered him out of a window in the city wall. All he could do was sit in the basket while they lowered him so he could get away.
Paul deliberately tells this story to highlight his own weakness in the pursuit of ministry. Paul’s story is not that of a powerhouse who mows down all opposition. Paul’s story is of a weak man who has to be rescued.
And yet, Paul was rescued. God delivered him so he could continue his ministry.
It was an embarrassing rescue. When Peter was in jail, an angel opened the doors and took him out. Paul was lowered out of a wall so he could run off in the middle of the night.
Paul’s opponents see him as unimpressive. Paul is not running away from that criticism. Yes, in a way I am a loser. I bled when they whipped me. I sat in prison when they arrested me. I slunk away into the night when they sought to kill me.
Yet his ministry is a ministry of power. It is the power of God accomplishing God’s purposes. That is what Paul is boasting in.
His opponents have a worldly standard of power and victory. By that standard, Paul does not look very good. Paul insists that where it counts, the power of God is at work in his ministry.
Visions and Revelations, Yet Still Weakness
At first, chapter 12 seems to abandon boasting in weakness. Paul tells an impressive supernatural story, but it is still about weakness.
I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows). And I know that this man was caught up into paradise (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. – 2 Corinthians 12:1-6
Paul tells a story about “a man in Christ.” At first it sounds like he is talking about someone else. Verse 7 makes it clear he is talking about himself.
2 Corinthians 12:7 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.
He drops the mask here. He had the vision, and God gave him a thorn so he would not get conceited about it.
Why speak in the third person? To highlight two very different aspects of his life. On the one hand, he is an apostle of Christ. Jesus appeared to him. God called him through supernatural means. God worked miracles through him. He was granted a heavenly revelation on at least one occasion.
On the other hand, Paul is just a normal guy. His opponents highlight how ordinary and unimpressive he is. Paul admits it. I am personally unimpressive. I have weaknesses. Now, I know this other guy. That guy is impressive. That guy has been granted heavenly visions. I would really boast about that guy. Of course, that “other guy” is Paul.
This is a creative way to show his dual experience. He is not adequate for apostolic ministry, but God has made him adequate. He is an ordinary man given an extraordinary gift by God.
What Was the Vision?
Paul tells us little about the heavenly experience. It happened fourteen years before he wrote the letter, after his conversion and before Barnabas brought him to Antioch. Perhaps it was part of his training. He insists he was taught by Jesus himself, and perhaps it was through this revelation.
He says he was caught up to the third heaven. As many understood it, the first heaven is the atmosphere, the second is outer space, and the third is the divine realm where the things of God are. He also calls it paradise.
He does not know whether his body actually went there or whether it was an out-of-body experience. God knows. He heard inexpressible words that a man is not permitted to speak. He received revelations of surpassing greatness.
It is an amazing story, but he says as little as possible. He tells it for a specific purpose and gives just enough detail to serve that purpose.
Why Paul Refuses to Boast in It
On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. — 2 Corinthians 12:5-6
Paul’s opponents have criticized him as a poor speaker and an unimpressive person. Paul acknowledges, yes, I am a weak, ordinary guy. Nonetheless, I am a supernaturally empowered apostle of Christ.
He could have gone around boasting about this experience, saying he was taken up into the third heaven and Jesus gave him amazing revelations. If he did, he would not be foolish, because it would be true.
But this seems to be the first time he told the Corinthians about this vision. The barrage of criticism forced his hand. Ordinarily he does not talk about it. He refrains so people do not think more of him than they see and hear.
He wants them to trust him based on the evidence they have seen and heard, not unverifiable stories. Throughout the letter he says, you ought to know me.
2 Corinthians 11:6 Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge. Indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.
He is not relying on the vision to commend himself. He would rather boast about his weaknesses.
The Thorn in the Flesh: What and Why
What is this thorn in the flesh? We cannot say with confidence.
He says it was intended to keep him from exalting himself because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations. He had been granted a rare privilege. That could make him arrogant. The thorn was an antidote to pride.
That suggests something humbling, perhaps humiliating. It could have been a private character struggle. It might also have been publicly visible, which is why many suggest a physical deformity or disability.
Some suggest Paul’s eyes were bad. After the Damascus road experience, he was blind for a while and then healed. He talks about signing his letters in really big letters, perhaps because he could not see well.
Some suggest a speech impediment, which would contribute to the charge that he was not a persuasive speaker.
He calls it a messenger of Satan to harass him and beat him up. Satan is pictured as a tempter and deceiver, which could support the idea of a private moral struggle. The book of Job portrays Satan afflicting people to make them curse God, which could support a public affliction.
We cannot be specific, but the thorn took the supernaturally empowered apostle and made it hard for him to think highly of himself. It humbled him. Whatever it was, it was difficult enough that he cried out to God to take it away.
God’s Answer: My Grace Is Sufficient
Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. — 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
God said no. Paul pleaded three times, and God answered, my grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.
All along Paul has made this distinction. On my own as a man, I am no big deal. As a chosen apostle of Christ, the power of God is at work in my ministry. The thorn taught Paul that distinction.
Without the thorn, he would feel stronger and more on top of things. Perhaps others would see him as more impressive. The thorn reminded him that it is the grace of God that accomplishes anything in his ministry, not the fact that Paul has it all together.
The stronger Paul is in himself, the easier it is to think, I am doing pretty well at this. The thorn brings him low. It reminds him that any great thing happening is the grace of God.
The power of God is seen most clearly when it is at work in a weak person. So Paul says he will gladly boast about weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on him. He is content with weaknesses, insults, distresses, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ’s sake. When I am weak, then I am strong.
A Reluctant Defense and the Signs of an Apostle
I have been a fool. You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. — 2 Corinthians 12:11-12
Paul dislikes this boastful tone. He does not want to boast in his Jewishness, his hardships, or his heavenly visions. The Corinthians have compelled him by listening to foolish criticisms and empty boasting. He feels he must respond.
He should not have to do this. The Corinthians have every reason to recognize his authority. He came among them and performed signs and wonders and miracles. Just as God demonstrated he was with Jesus by miracles, so God put his mark on the apostles by miracles. Peter performed miracles. The other apostles performed miracles. Paul, apostle to the Gentiles, performed miracles.
Evidence the Corinthians Had Already Seen
- Paul claims to be an apostle sent by God to the Gentiles.
- Paul’s message is endorsed by the original apostles, Peter and James and John.
- Paul performs miracles everywhere he goes, including in Corinth, showing that God endorses his ministry.
- The content of Paul’s teaching is wise and powerful.
- The gospel he teaches is bearing fruit among the Corinthians.
Yet they got confused by new arrivals who say Paul is not a very good speaker and maybe not an apostle.
The Tightrope: Weak Man, Powerful God
Throughout the letter Paul walks a tightrope. On the one hand, he acknowledges personal weakness. On the other hand, he insists he is a supernaturally empowered messenger of God.
We see that tightrope clearly here. Paul is a weak man who has suffered in body and mind. He boasts in his weaknesses. But he is also a miracle-working apostle who was caught up into heaven to hear great revelations.
He has been forced to spell this out because of his opponents’ attacks.
What This Teaches About Paul
He makes astoundingly great claims. He says God sent him as an apostle. God proved that by miracles the Corinthians saw. God gave him great revelations in the heavenly realms.
This is a big deal. This is a messenger sent from God with the message of life in the gospel. This is why we read Paul’s letters. He is telling the truth. He is an apostle sent by Jesus.
At the same time, Paul is eager to make it clear that he is no big deal. He is a weak man living a hard life. He gets beaten up regularly. He cannot claim to be any big deal. What God is doing through him is a big deal. You cannot dismiss him, because God is doing something that cannot be put aside.
What This Teaches About God
God’s power is perfected in weakness. It is not only true for Paul and the apostles. We see this pattern throughout Scripture.
- Exodus 3–4: Moses tries to disqualify himself because he is slow of speech. God chooses him anyway to confront Pharaoh. The Exodus, one of the most decisive displays of God’s power, was led by a man who did not think he could speak clearly.
- 1 Samuel 16–17: David is the youngest, smallest son, overlooked by his own father. He is the one God chooses to defeat Goliath.
- 1 Kings 17: During a drought, Elijah is sent not to a wealthy supporter but to a poor widow with only a handful of flour and oil. God sustains them both through her last bit of provision.
- 2 Kings 5: Naaman expects a grand healing ceremony. Instead, Elisha tells him to wash in a muddy river. Naaman is insulted, but when he humbles himself, he is healed.
- Luke 1: God entrusts the Savior of the world to a poor, unwed, teenage girl from an obscure village.
- The ultimate paradox: God’s power displayed through Christ’s death on the cross. What looks like defeat becomes the greatest victory. The cross looked like failure, but it was the triumph of grace.
Christians throughout the centuries have had the same sorts of experiences. That is why so many resonate with what God told Paul: my grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.
Our Thorns and God’s Grace
As we go through life, God takes us through circumstances that make it clear we are not good enough, strong enough, or wise enough to make it on our own.
Christians throughout the centuries have spoken of their own thorns in the flesh. One advantage of Paul not specifying his thorn is that it leaves us free to supply our own.
God brings things into the lives of his people that remind us not to think too highly of ourselves, not to think, I am pulling this off. I have got this together. We are not saving ourselves. We need the grace of God to make it through to the end.
The more we see the failures, handicaps, struggles, and weaknesses in our lives, the more we can see God at work. This is a strong theme in the New Testament. We see it clearly in Paul’s life. We face the same thing. It is a good thing to recognize that you do not have it together and yet you are still going to make it, because the power of Christ rests on you.
Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.
Next: 17 Examine Yourself: Paul’s Warning to Corinth (2 Corinthians 12:13-13:14)
Previous: 15 False Apostles: Why Were They So Convincing? (2 Corinthians 11)
Series: 2 Corinthians: When Church Hurts
Resources to help you study: 2 Corinthians
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Podcast season 26, episode 16
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