The last two posts indicated the ramifications of pride and the benefits of humility, all in the context of 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Today we examine pride prevention.
Paul states that to prevent conceit, a thorn was given him. What is a thorn?
The Greek word for thorn is skolops. It denoted something pointed and was used of everything from a stake or thorn to a surgical instrument or the point of a fishhook. Have you ever had a severe sliver? Painful! Even if it was but a tiny shard in your little finger, expediency was the mode to get that sucker out of there. What was Paul’s thorn? We don’t know.
Paul's mention of a thorn in my flesh is commonly taken to be three different speculations:
1. a physical problem (a speech impediment, an ophthalmic malady, attacks of migraine)
2. the thorn could be emotional (periodic depressions, inability to reach his own people)
3. the list can legitimately be expanded to include such possibilities as persecution, troublesome people, spiritual snares and carnal temptations.
Certain options are likelier than others. One option is to identify the skolops with troublesome Jews. A troublesome person today is commonly referred to as a "pain in the neck." So Paul could be speaking metaphorically of the Jews who constantly dogged his steps and hindered his ministry.
A recurring physical ailment is a possibility. Bad eyes. Galatians 4:14 ("my illness was a trial to you") and 4:15 ("you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me") lend support to some sort of eye problem. In fact, Paul closes his letter to the Galatians with "See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand" (6:11) Could Paul’s thorn be some sort of eye disability?
Aren’t you glad that his thorn isn’t identified? We can all relate to this passage with our own particular thorn.
Whatever the skolops was, the net effect for Paul was torment (v. 7). The present tense suggests frequent bouts. Paul's thorn was not an isolated episode. It repeatedly came back to plague him—like the neighborhood bully who lurks each day, hidden, ready to pounce on his next victim.
What was the source of Paul’s thorn? Paul calls his skolops a messenger of Satan. What is satan’s role in our lives?
John 10:10a: “He comes to steal, kill and destroy.” 1 Pet.5:8 “watch out for attacks from satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart.”
(Elsewhere in 2 Corinthians Satan plays a fairly prominent role. He schemes against the church (2:11), is called the god of this age (4:4), is able to masquerade as an angel of light (11:14) and uses his servants to great effect in the church (11:15).
Two extremes seem to highlight the church’s perception of satan. One looks for a demon behind every bush and the focus is rebuking the devil. They become so demonic sensitive that they lose sight of the overall challenge and blessings found in Scripture. The other extreme is not being aware at all of satan’s influence and his prowess-induced strife is not addressed. A healthy balance is appropriate.
Tomorrow we’ll look more at the possible sources for our thorn - satan, plus.
No comments:
Post a Comment