In 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul refers to the fact that there was given to him “a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” This poses the question: What does Paul mean by the thorn in the flesh that was given him? We have only to examine the scriptures to get the answer.

_ Read 2 Corinthians 12:8. Paul says he prayed three times for God to take “it” away from him. What is it?

_ Read 2 Corinthians 12:9. God answers Paul’s three prayers by saying that His grace is sufficient because His power is made perfect in weakness. What weakness is God referring to?

If by “weakness” God is referring to the “thorn in his flesh” that Paul was praying about, then it would appear that the antecedent for “it” in v.8 is also that “thorn” that Paul wants removed. This makes the definition of “weakness” crucial to our understanding of v.7 and the meaning of “thorn in my flesh.”

The Greek word translated “weakness” in 2 Corinthians 12:9 is astheneia, meaning feebleness of body or mind.

_ Read the following scriptures that contain the same Greek word astheneia that’s used for “weakness” in v.9. On a separate sheet of paper, note the apparent meaning of astheneia as used in each of these cross-references. [HINT: Look for the words disease, sick/sickness, infirmity weakness (or anything similar) and determine how they are used.]

Matthew 8:17
Luke 5:15; 8:2; 13:11-12
John 11:4
Acts 28:9
Romans 8:26
1 Timothy 5:23

If we were to look up every reference to astheneia in the New Testament, we would see that most of the time it is used exactly as in the references above and in 2 Corinthians 12:9. What is your conclusion then about what the word means?

_ Re-read the passage 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 in light of your new understanding of what the “thorn in the flesh” might be. What is the natural conclusion?