The following is the introduction to a book I wrote on Paul's Thorn in the Flesh. I wrote it to help answer some of the questions people have and hopefully give some insight into what the Bible says on this subject.
The Meaning of Paul's Thorn In The Flesh
INTRODUCTION
Many struggling with sickness or some ailment in their body are often discouraged from believing in God for healing.
In my walk of faith in this area, I know I have had many come to me with different excuses for why I am not healed. When I share with them what the Bible says, that healing is paid for and for all, there is one response that always seems to come to the forefront. The reaction gave usually relates in some way to the passage from 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.
This section of Scripture is frequently used to oppose the Biblical healing doctrine or teach that it is not God’s will to heal all. Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh has for decades been taught and believed by many as a reason for not receiving healing. While often sincere and well-meaning, this teaching, rather than sound Biblical instruction, has given poor education and kept many in a place of bondage. It has taught those suffering from physical disease and pain that their suffering might be, in fact, the result of a similar reason for the ailment in their body and that this is pleasing to God and would bring Him glory.
It may be sincere and well-meaning, but it is wrong and unscriptural. God has made provision for the fullness of health in our physical body. What is needed is to know the truth of what God’s Word says.
Jesus said in John 8:32, And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Jesus is the very truth, and He wants you to experience what He paid for, what He paid – FOR YOU! The Father has made way for you to be free, to be healed, and it was accomplished through Jesus. Jesus Christ, the Anointed One, our Saviour, our Healer, paid the price for our salvation and physical healing. There is no doubt as the passage from Isaiah makes it abundantly clear.
Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely he has borne our grief and carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray; each of us has turned to his own way, but the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
It says here that Jesus made atonement and bore our sins so we wouldn’t have to. The Lord laid on Him the iniquity (sin) of us all, which freed or released us from having to bear the penalty for sin. Equally clear in these verses is that Jesus took up and bore our sicknesses.
As He bore our sin, so we wouldn’t have to, Jesus bore our sickness and pain so we wouldn’t have to.
In verse 4 of Isaiah 53, “grief” is the Hebrew word that accurately means sickness or disease. The word “sorrows” implies physical and mental pain & anguish.
Jesus took our place and bore our sickness, disease, and physical and mental pain and anguish.
Jesus paid it all! It is not just a song to be sung, but it is a truth of Scripture. Christ took our place for sin and sickness and has provided us deliverance from both. He overcame both sin and sickness to bring salvation to our entire being in the present day.
Jesus is our healer. Jesus has provided healing to your body today. He didn’t purchase our healing only so that it could be held back by incorrect teaching.
This brings us back to Paul’s Thorn, so many accept being sick, thinking this is just their thorn to suffer under. If Paul had to suffer and his prayer was not answered, then we should accept it as Paul did.
The rest of this book looks into what Scripture says concerning what Paul was dealing with and why.
WHAT WAS PAUL'S THORN IN THE FLESH - CONTENTS
The Identity of the Thorn
The first question we need to ask is what was Paul's Thorn according to the passage in question. Was it even sickness or some disease that Paul suffered with?
The Activity of the Paul's Thorn
Not only does Paul give us a clear description of this thorn, but he also tells us what it came to do.
Buffeting is Never Described as Sickness
Just as Paul describes what the thorn was, Paul also gives us an explanation of the sort of buffeting he endured.
The Lord's Response to Paul
Paul asked God three times to take away this evil messenger who was coming against him. How did God respond?
The Reason for Paul's Thorn in the Flesh
The next question that needs to be asked is why did Paul face this continual buffeting? What was the reason for this thorn? This is important. If we think that the sickness in our life is a thorn, there must be a reason.
Why Have Some Taught this to be Sickness
Where does this idea and teaching come from?
What About Paul's Eyes
Some teach that when Paul suffered blindness on the road to Damascus, his healing was incomplete. Is this scriptural? Does it make sense?
Closing
Interestingly, when talking about healing, many would instead point to this one instance of Scripture than to the multitude of Scriptures that teach the healing power of God.
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