Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 315

November 11;      2 Corinthians 12:10;       161/260(III);        ‘Strong When Weak’

2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

There have been many erroneous teachings about ‘Paul’s Thorn.’  Many use verses7-10 of this chapter to deny healing.  They say if Paul was sick, that has to mean that healing is not for everyone.  If you just read the verses and do a little research it is easy to see biblically that Paul is not talking about physical infirmity.  Because of the unique call of God on his life, the Lord had given to Paul incredible revelation that he was to teach to the body of Christ.  In addition to that, Paul’s determination to do the Lord’s work, his no quit attitude made him a ‘target’ for satan.  Verse 7 tells us because of what Paul had been taught and was teaching a ‘messenger of satan’ was assigned to Paul to buffet him.  This was a demonic being, constantly harassing Paul and doing everything he could to stop this mighty man of God.  Messenger never refers to sickness. ‘Thorn in the flesh’ refers to the problems the demon caused Paul, not sickness.  Several times in the Old Testament statements like ‘thorn in the flesh’ referred to people who caused problems for the Jews.  Paul cried out to the Lord for Him to remove the demonic tormentor.  The Lord replied His grace was sufficient for Paul (verse 9).  What the Lord meant was, His grace was with Paul to help Paul successfully minister in spite of the opposition.  Because of this Paul says here, that he welcomes the continuing attacks, because then Paul, in weakness, could rely on the Lord’s strength to minister in spite of the devil.