Paul's Thorn
The prayer God said no to.
On unanswered prayer and what came instead.
The big idea
Paul asked three times for it to be taken away. The answer was no, and he called it grace.
Opening scripture
“To keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in the flesh — a messenger of Satan, to torment me.”
What does “Paul's Thorn” walk through?
A Thorn Was Given
2 Corinthians 12:7 · KJV
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
In plain English
To keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in the flesh — a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
We Are Never Told What It Was
Every generation reads its own affliction into it, which may be deliberate. What matters is that the most fruitful missionary alive had something he could not fix.
My Grace Is Sufficient
2 Corinthians 12:9 · KJV
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
In plain English
He told me: my grace is enough for you, because my power is perfected in weakness.
“The answer was no. The answer was also enough. Both of those are true and it took him a while.”
Three Times, Then Peace
He does not pretend it stopped hurting. He reframes what it is for — which is different from being told to feel better about it.
Suffering Produces Endurance
Romans 5:3 · KJV
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
In plain English
More than that, we celebrate in our sufferings, because we know suffering produces endurance.
Not Worth Comparing
Romans 8:18 · KJV
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
In plain English
I consider that what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed in us.
Pray
God, where the answer is no, let the grace be enough. Amen.
Write it down
What have you asked for repeatedly and not received?
Enough grace
No is not the same as abandoned.
Which passages does this journey use?
4 passages, drawn from 2 Corinthians 12:7, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Romans 5:3, Romans 8:18. Every verse appears here in the King James text with a plain-English line beside it, so you can read it without a commentary open. Allow about 7 minutes for the whole thing, or 8 short sittings.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
- Romans 5:3
- Romans 8:18
Read any of these in full on the complete KJV, or look the wording up independently at Blue Letter Bible.
More in People of the Early Church
All People of the Early Church →Peter, After The Fire
Restoration that matched the wound.
Paul In Prison
Contentment inside limits you did not choose.
John, Who Stayed Close
Abiding, from the one who wrote the word.
Barnabas, The Encourager
The man who vouched for people.
Thomas, Who Asked
The doubt that got a personal answer.
Philip And The Nudge
Obedience to something small.