Living in the Spirit

July 2, 2021

Scripture Reading:
2 Corinthians 12:2-10

I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given to me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.

Over the years, there has been much speculation about Paul’s thorn in the flesh. Some theorize it was a recurring illness like malaria or migraine headaches. We do not know if it was physical that the use of the word flesh suggests because Paul used it to describe anything that was not spiritual.  While I do not know what it was, I get the sense reading this scripture that it routinely reminded Paul that he was all too human. We all have experienced that to some degree. I now own adjustable pliers that I use to open lids as my grip is no longer strong enough to twist some off. My brother was born with strong hands. When he was a teenager, my mother could not get the lid off a canned jar of some vegetable or fruit. She carried it into the living room, asking my brother to open it. I saw the surprise on his face when he could not budge it. On his second attempt, he gripped the jar with all his might, focused on opening the lid. The jar broke from the pressure of his hand, but that lid never moved. For me, not to be able to turn a cap is a nuisance. To my brother, not being able to move the lid was an indication of his strength. Something that illustrated in a small way who he was. I think Paul’s thorn was like that to him.

Micah 6:8 teaches us that we are called to walk humbly with our Lord. Paul’s thorn in the flesh prepared him for fulfilling his ministry through all kinds of situations without letting those situations defeat him. We are still graced by his teachings today because of that thorn in his flesh, not despite it.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us the gift of courage to answer your call to service within our weaknesses. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.