Paul's Affliction

[TommyLewis]

2 Corinthians 12:7
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Does anyone know what, exactly, the "thorn in the flesh" refers to? I've been reading some different commentaries, and none seem to know for certain. Some do, however, tie it to Galatians 4:13-14.

Did Bro Branham ever say? I know he mentions it in context with eye trouble in at least one place...

[eagleendtime]

Originally Posted by TommyLewis

2 Corinthians 12:7
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

Does anyone know what, exactly, the "thorn in the flesh" refers to? I've been reading some different commentaries, and none seem to know for certain. Some do, however, tie it to Galatians 4:13-14.

Did Bro Branham ever say? I know he mentions it in context with eye trouble in at least one place...

That is the only one I know too. Bro.Branham mentioned his eye trouble.

Closest I can find

PRESENT.STAGE.OF.MY.MINISTRY_ JEFF.IN V-11 N-2 SATURDAY_ 62-0908
59 And now, I believe Demas saw a failing, seemingly, in Paul's ministry. I think that he thought the old fellow was washed up before God. Now, he thought that a people that would pluck their eyes out to give to Paul...
Now, the--Paul said that, he said, "You would at least plucked your eyes out to give them to me." 'Cause Paul, we think, had bad eyes, 'cause he said, "I've wrote with such big letters." He said, "big letter" but I've got the--the lexicon, and it says "with big letters." He was in Rome in prison there. It's something wrong. He said his eyes had been bothering him since the heavenly vision. So he... The people would've plucked out their eyes, seeing Paul suffer, his eyes bothering him, and he suffering. And he asked the Lord to heal him three times. And he said, "Except I would get exalted above the abundance of the revelation, there was sent to me a messenger of the devil that he might buffet me." Now, we'd get pretty good, then hit him again. Then he'd get good, and hit him again.

He mentions it at least once more, but in other times with three times he doesn't say.

[joris]

Originally Posted by eagleendtime

I think that he thought the old fellow was washed up before God.

That just screams out "this is not by revelation, this is only guesswork". That is okay, a teacher may guess - but just don't act as if God just told you that's what Paul meant.
The problem with this particular guess is that satan uses it to make people believe healing is not for them, making them think they got that same kind of "thorn in the flesh".

There are other guesses, like, it was about the suffering because of Jewish authorities, gentile authorities. Him being stoned to death, getting the 4-minus-1 with a whip, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and other things done to him by people. Yes, that's also just -a- guess.

May I ask, why are you asking about it?

As I think of it, was there any "thorn in the flesh" for Branham? If yes, what was it? If no, why not?

[Angelo]

"Thorn in the flesh" I could say are weaknesses permitted by God in order for man to depend on His grace, and not puff up or boast because of the gifts or ministry ordained for them. I'm not sure if it's limited only to the physical for it refers to the "flesh". But could we consider it as circumstances as well like poverty (to magnify God's provision)?

[eagleendtime]

Thorns in the flesh -- yes Angelo they can be our circumstances to. Something as a reminder that we are human and aren't God. Things we have no control over that affects us, or buffet us.

[Angelo]

But then, these thorns pushes us to go higher in our faith. By faith we could go beyond these weaknesses, by faith we could overcome even though these things exist.

[joris]

Originally Posted by Angelo

But then, these thorns pushes us to go higher in our faith. By faith we could go beyond these weaknesses, by faith we could overcome even though these things exist.

Very true, God allows them to stay there (for a certain time), for the good He works in you, building your character

[Angelo]

And that's how God expresses His greatness in our lives, through simplicity.