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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] |
Bible Question: If God tells me His Grace is sufficient for a problem or thorn am I to think He is saying no. Isn't God's Grace all we need to make it? Did Paul later say in II Timothy 3:11 that he had been deliverd from all his afflictions and persecutions so did god say no or did His Grace take care of Paul? |
Bible Answer: Paul asked to be healed. God did not heal. God said no. Rather than heal, God said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you." Granted, God's grace might be overcompensation for the thorn in the flesh. I agree that God had other plans for Paul. That isn't the question that was asked. The original question that was asked was, "Does God say 'no'?" The answer to that question is, "Yes, God says no." Please note that He did not say "my grace is sufficient for the problem or thorn." He said, "My grace is sufficient for you." In 2 Tim 3:11, note how the sufferings parallel the persecutions - these denote how Paul suffered at the hands of men. 2 Corinthians 12:7 does not talk about how he suffered at the hands of men, the "thorn in the flesh" was specifically described as a "messenger of Satan". 2 Cor 12:9 sounds to me like God told Paul, "Listen, Paul, when you are weak - when you have this thorn - there, in your weakness, My strength, My power, is more evident in your weakness." Paul's reaction is, "If God's power shines brighter in my weakness, rather than ask to be healed, I will gladly bear this thorn, so that Christ's power shines brighter through me." There are better things than being healed. God's ways are perfect, let us pray that His will be done. |