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.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπερβολῇ
through the abundance
G5236
ὑπερβολῇ
through the abundance
Strong's:
G5236
Word #:
3 of 21
a throwing beyond others, i.e., (figuratively) supereminence; adverbially (with g1519 or g2596) pre- eminently
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
7 of 21
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
ὑπεραίρωμαι
I should be exalted above measure
G5229
ὑπεραίρωμαι
I should be exalted above measure
Strong's:
G5229
Word #:
8 of 21
to raise oneself over, i.e., (figuratively) to become haughty
ἐδόθη
there was given
G1325
ἐδόθη
there was given
Strong's:
G1325
Word #:
9 of 21
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
σκόλοψ
a thorn
G4647
σκόλοψ
a thorn
Strong's:
G4647
Word #:
11 of 21
withered at the front, i.e., a point or prickle (figuratively, a bodily annoyance or disability)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σαρκί
in the flesh
G4561
σαρκί
in the flesh
Strong's:
G4561
Word #:
13 of 21
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e., (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or
ἄγγελος
the messenger
G32
ἄγγελος
the messenger
Strong's:
G32
Word #:
14 of 21
compare g0034) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
Cross References
Numbers 33:55But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.Judges 2:3Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be as thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.1 Corinthians 5:5To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.Daniel 5:20But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:Galatians 4:13Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.Job 2:7So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.1 Timothy 3:6Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.Genesis 32:25And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.Genesis 32:31And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.Deuteronomy 8:14Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;
Historical Context
Written in Macedonia (AD 55-56) after years of Paul bearing this unspecified affliction. The Corinthians, like modern prosperity gospel adherents, likely viewed suffering as evidence of sin or weak faith. Paul's theology of redemptive suffering—where God ordains affliction to prevent pride and showcase grace—radically contradicts health-and-wealth theology. The thorn isn't punishment but preventive grace.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God sometimes give extraordinary spiritual experiences and then ordained afflictions to prevent pride from those experiences?
- How does the "messenger of Satan" language show God's sovereignty over evil—using Satan's attacks for sanctifying purposes?
- What does Paul's non-specification of the thorn's nature teach about focusing on affliction's purpose rather than its details?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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. The phrase lest I should be exalted above measure (hina mē hyperairōmai, ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι) appears twice—bookending the verse—revealing God's purpose: the skolops (σκόλοψ, "thorn," "stake") prevents pride from abundance of revelations (hyperbolē tōn apokalypseōn, ὑπερβολῇ τῶν ἀποκαλύψεων).
The thorn in the flesh has generated endless speculation (eye disease, epilepsy, malaria, persecution, opponents), but Paul intentionally leaves it unspecified—what matters isn't the thorn's nature but its function: preventing spiritual pride. The paradox is stunning: God gives extraordinary revelations (third heaven, paradise, unspeakable words), then gives a divinely ordained affliction to prevent those revelations from producing arrogance. Grace includes both the gift and the safeguard against misusing the gift.
Messenger of Satan (aggelos Satana, ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ) to buffet me (kolaphizē, κολαφίζῃ, "to strike with fists") shows God's sovereign use of evil: Satan meant it for harm, God meant it for sanctification (cf. Job 1-2). The passive "there was given" (edothē, ἐδόθη) indicates divine agency—God gave the thorn, even though Satan delivered it.