2 Coríntios 12

2 Coríntios 12

MacDonald adds that "Even after the apostle had listened to the language of Paradise, he still had the old nature, and was in danger of falling into the snare of pride." PRINCIPLE: There is not one of us, no matter how long we have walked with Jesus, that we are immune to the seductive snare of pride. Remember that this thorn (skolops) in the flesh has been present 14 years and will continue for another 13 years (times are estimated), but the important point is that it would be present essentially the majority of the time Paul was in full-time ministry! And when the "thorn" was given to him initially, he had no idea this was going to be a lifelong affliction (as it appears it was, which make sense because pride was ever waiting to "jump on Paul"). There was given me a thorn (skolops) in the flesh a messenger of Satan to (present tense) torment (kolaphizo - buffet, beat, strike) me--to keep me from exalting (huperairo in present tense) myself - It is so easy to forget the life lessons the Lord teaches us, even those lessons we thought we would never forget! Paul is just like us and so God gives him a reminder. Was given is a divine passive, for it was the omniscient, all loving God Who gave (or allowed) Paul this gift of the thorn. The word thorn (skolops) can also be translated stake, and this would imply that whatever this was in Paul, was not a simple, superficial cut that would not heal, but something that was more intense. The phrase in the flesh would support the premise that the thorn was something to do with his physical body. Speculation on the identity of the thorn is endless, but clearly God does not think that is important for us to know. What is important of course is the purpose as we see in 2Co 12:9-10. Was the torn physical or spiritual. I personally think physical but cannot prove it. I am reminded that Spurgeon was plagued by depression as well as physical ailments (such as painful attacks of gout) THOUGHT - When God sovereignly sends or allows (cf Job 1:12) some unexpected trial, affliction, malady, etc, in our life, do we receive it as a manifestation of His loving AFFECTION, or as an INFLICTION? Do we see it as something to make us "BETTER" or "BITTER?" If the latter, memorize and meditate on James 1:2-8+ (cf 1Pe 1:6-7+). Torment (kolaphizo) means to beat as when one strikes another with their fist, but here is used figuratively denoting attacks which from the context seem to undoubtedly be painful to Paul. And in the present tense torment means this continuous action. In other words it was a "chronic" condition (or a least continually recurring) that continually served to remind Paul that despite the wondrous supernatural revelation, he was still a mere mortal living on terra firma (and not in the third heaven)! The sovereign God, much like in the affliction of Job, allowed this thorn to be given to Paul delivered by a messenger of Satan. Paul repeats the phrase to keep me from exalting myself for emphasis. On the other hand this messenger (as with Job) was used by God to accomplish His purposes through His instrument. Recall that Jesus had said "I will show Him how much he must suffer for my sake." Spurgeon on given to me - “He says, ‘There was given to me.’ He reckoned his great trial to be a gift. It is well put. He does not say, ‘There was inflicted upon me a thorn in the flesh,’ but ‘There was given to me.’ ” Paul reckoned his great trial to be a gift. It is well-put. He does not say, "There was inflicted on me a thorn in the flesh," but "There was given to me." This is holy reckoning. Child of God, among all the goods of your house, you have not one single article that is a better token of divine love to you than your daily cross. If you were to tell your child that you would grant him any-thing he asked for, you would not intend by that to give him a poisonous drug, if someone should delude him into the idea that it would be useful to him. You would mean that you would give your child all that was really good for him. God, therefore, knowing that this thorn in the flesh was a sacred medicine to Paul, would not take it away, even though most urgently requested to do so. So, though refused, Paul was answered. Whatever would be good for you, Christ's grace is sufficient to bestow. Whatever would harm you, his grace is sufficient to avert. Whatever you desire, His grace is sufficient to give, if it be good for you. Whatever you would avoid, His grace can shield you from it if His wisdom shall dictate. Homer Kent - Some commentators explain “flesh” as his human nature, and suggest such things as sensual passion as the “thorn.” It is more common to regard “flesh” here as the physical body (as in Gal. 4:13, NASB marg.), and explain the “thorn” as an ailment such as epilepsy, headaches, eye disease, or malaria. (A Heart Opened Wide: Studies in 2 Corinthians) John