Was given to me a thorn in the flesh,— The conjectures of commentators respecting St. Paul's thorn in the flesh, have been innumerable. We shall not dwell upon them, but insert the following, as it appears to be the most rational interpretation. Ezekiel has a parallel passage, Ezekiel 28:24 where the pricking briar, and grieving thorn, are used to express a great affliction. In allusion to which the Apostle might use this term, to signify some paralytic disorder, which affected his speech and aspect, owing to the insufferable glories of this vision, which, might weaken and relax the nervous system. This infirmity in his flesh might give occasion to the messenger of Satan, or the false teacher and calumnious adversary who opposed the Apostle, to representhiminadespicablelight.As this disorder might threaten both his acceptance among the Corinthians and others, and his usefulness, it is no wonder that he was so importunate for its removal; yet, being the effect of so great and singular a favour, he might, with the highest propriety, talk of glorying in it, 2 Corinthians 12:9. However, as St. Paul thought fit to conceal what this thorn in the flesh was, it is not easy for us to discover, nor is it very material to know what it was.
Related Commentaries of 2 Corinthians 12:7
2 Corinthians 12:7
7 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.