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NASB | 2 Corinthians 12:7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me--to keep me from exalting myself! |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Corinthians 12:7 Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me--to keep me from exalting myself! [Job 2:6] |
Subject: Why was the thorn given |
Bible Note: No scripture is of private interpretation. 40 men of God wrote 66 books over a period of 1500 years. The NT was written between 37 and 96 a.d. on the not-adjusted calendar. No one who is not being led by the spirit can interpret scripture. Spiritual discernment is absent. See 1 Corinthians 2:1-16. There are similar verses elsewhere (in Timothy, for example). No one can intellectualize or reason-out scripture mentally. It is futile mental gymnastics. Paul could not write well, and he could not speak well. He testifies to this himself. See 2 Corinthians 2:12. Read again 1 Corinthians 2:1-3, and 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. His eyes were impacted by the encounter on the Damascus Road. See Acts 9, Galatians 4:15 and 6:11. What are infirmities? The state of being infirm; feebleness; an imperfection or weakness; esp., an unsound, unhealthy, or debilitated state; a disease; a malady; as, infirmity of body or mind. A personal frailty or failing; foible; eccentricity; a weakness or defect. Synonym: Debility; imbecility; weakness; feebleness; failing; foible; defect; disease; malady; the state of being weak in health or body. In one commentary Paul is said to have been less than 5 feet tall, with over-sized shoulders, and a heavy black beard. His physical appearance was not appealing to those whom he challenged or witnessed to. That would place him shoulder-high to others in the Jewish leadership. He would be looking up to practically everyone he addressed. When he was alone, with his writer, he was filled with spiritual insight, wisdom, understanding, comprehension. He may have been miserably equipped in public, yet God chose him to be His messenger to we non-Jews in his magnificent letters to the church, to individuals, to all of us. I am convinced that he wrote, covertly, the Letter to the Hebrews. Why covertly? They would not have bothered to read it if they knew it was from Paul. The leadership would simply have renounced him and his letter. Sooooo sad. But these are the same guys who rejected their Messiah, Jesus! See my blog, "Spiritually Dividing". His Jewish background was quite extensive and would have called for strict training in matters of the Hebrew religion, see Acts 22:3. I submit that he was more zealous than anyone of that day. He was a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee, Acts 23:6. He described himself as being of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, in Philippians 3:5. He was a pupil of Gamaliel, one of the greatest teachers of the Jewish law in his day, again Acts 22:3; Galatians 1:14. He spoke Greek and Hebrew, and is identified by one commentary as being fluent in 5 languages, one of them undoubtedly Aramaic, see Acts 17:28; Titus 1:12. His training distinguished him from all the other apostles by far! His educational background was far superior! He was fitted, by birth, education, and experiences to fill a special place in the Hebrew Nation and, a very special place in the implementation of the church for we non-Jews. Hallelujah! I could go on, but this should suffice. My original post is accurate and unalterable. Blessings upon each of Thee and Thy House! |