Thorns In The Flesh
In his second letter to the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul confesses something extraordinary. He reveals that he has a "thorn in my flesh," that torments him. But then he doesn't reveal the nature of the thorn, and gives no other clues as to what he means by his cryptic confession. But he does reveal how he begged God to release him from his torment: Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." - 2 Corinthians 12:8 So what was Paul's "thorn?" Scholars have debated it for centuries. Some believe that it might have been some kind of physical ailment. Others have argued that it might have been struggles with his vow of celibacy. Probably the most convincing argument is that his eyesight was failing. I was thinking today about why it was important to me that Paul confessed this. The truth is, desp...