What was this thorn in the flesh?

2 Cor 12:7-10, "...A thorn in the flesh.... but My grace is sufficient in your weakness."

The above passage is the most abused/misused passage in the bible to justify submitting to nearly any problem that comes along. Satan gets this scripture twisted to deceive many.

What was this thorn in the flesh? Vs. 9-10, it implies that the thorn was an infirmity that was given to him because of the surpassing revelations given to him in order to keep him from being conceited (vs. 7). Does infirmity mean sickness? Why would Paul boast in this infirmity or thorn in the flesh? If it be a sickness is it that God couldn't heal Paul? Actually many preachers say that paul's infirmity was a rare ancient sickness, a dread eye disease etc but that's not so read the passages that talk about infirmities keenly you will see the context.

In my opinion, infirmity (thorn in the flesh) doesn't necessarily mean sickness. Numbers 33:55; Joshua 23:13 and Judges 2:3-which talks people as being thorns in ur eyes and sides. In addition, Rom 8:26; Hebrew 5:2; 7:2; 2 Cor 12:9-10; 11:16-30, Proverbs 18:14-talks of some glorifying infirmities that include- some sort of human weakness, reproaches, insults, sickness, hardships, persecutions, difficulties etc. Remember had even received 39lashes, was stoned, flogged, shipwrecked, spent sleepless nights, cold and naked? Paul referred to these persecutions as infirmities. So in Paul's context, I can say that the demon was constantly stirring persecution against him. The obvious question then, so could Paul have asked God to remove persecutions from him? I believe he did. The purpose of this thorn in the flesh was to keep Paul humble vs.7. Am just wandering and wondering, what if everything was rosy for Paul? What if my and your life were a bed of roses? Hehe, roses are beautiful and fragrant but they have thorns!

Paul's thorn was a demon sent to buffet (strike him repeatedly). 2 Cor 4:8-9, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." As for this infirmity (persecution & hardships) it will continue to buffet us (Acts 14:22, through many tribulations we MUST enter the kingdom) but for sure, His grace is sufficient.

So let's not let the devil lie to us that God cannot redeem us from some sort of sickness. Jesus died on the cross to redeem us from sin and to heal our diseases and sicknesses. Scriptures say that by His stripes we are healed healed. When we go through various trials, infirmities let's count it all pure joy, because the testing of our faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, James 1:2-4.

That's my understanding, I welcome any comments, additions, thoughts and illuminations. Remember, iron sharpens iron, Proverbs 27:17.

Baraka
Kalekye Nzaku