Many Christians misunderstand the nature of Paul’s Thorn in the flesh in 2 Corinthians 12. It’s often used to justify unanswered prayers—especially around healing. But what if this interpretation misses a deeper spiritual truth—one that aligns closely with the story of Job?
This post explores Paul’s thorn, its connection to pride, and what it teaches us about spiritual warfare and unconfessed sin.
📖 What Was Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh, Really?
2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (KJV)
“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…”
Paul received incredible revelations—so much so that God allowed a “thorn” (a messenger of Satan) to afflict him. The purpose? To prevent him from being exalted above measure.
Many interpret this “thorn” as a mysterious sickness and use it to explain why God doesn’t always heal. But Scripture offers more clarity—if we examine the timeline, context, and Paul’s own words.
🧠 When Did Paul’s Thorn Begin? Understanding the Timeline
To properly understand Paul’s Thorn, we must know when things happened:
- Paul’s vision of heaven happened 14 years before he wrote 2 Corinthians (2 Cor 12:2), around A.D. 41. That’s likely when the thorn began.
- The book of Galatians was written around A.D. 49, and Paul still references this “temptation in the flesh.”
- 2 Corinthians was written around A.D. 55. So, Paul had the thorn for over a decade.
This means Paul’s Thorn wasn’t a short-term test—it was a long-term correction tied to a persistent issue in his heart.
Was Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh a Physical Condition?
Galatians 4:14-15 (KJV)
“…I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.”
Paul says the Galatians loved him so much they would’ve given him their eyes—implying Paul had an eye issue. He also said:
Galatians 6:11 (KJV)
“Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.”
This hints at poor eyesight—Paul likely dictated most letters but personally wrote this one with large writing.
So, if the thorn had a physical manifestation, it was likely related to his eyes—but it had a spiritual purpose.
💥 The Real Issue: Paul’s Pride
The thorn was primarily about pride.
2 Corinthians 12:6 (KJV)
“For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool…”
2 Corinthians 12:11 (KJV)
“I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me…”
Paul started the chapter resisting the urge to boast. But by verse 11, he admitted to doing the very thing he resisted—boasting—and blamed the Corinthians for it.
Why? Because false teachers (Judaizers) infiltrated the church and questioned Paul’s authority. Instead of defending him, the Corinthians sent letters asking him to explain himself.
🧠 Analogy: The Pastor on Vacation
Imagine this:
You have a faithful pastor who goes on vacation. While he’s away, outsiders come in and begin criticizing his leadership, saying, “God never called that man; he’s a fraud.” Instead of defending their pastor, the congregation sends him an email asking him to respond to these accusations.
How would the pastor feel? Hurt. Betrayed. Compelled to defend himself, even if it means boasting in his credentials.
This is exactly what happened to Paul.
He wrote:
“In nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles…” (2 Cor 12:11)
“Forgive me this wrong.” (v.13)
Paul crossed the line from defending his apostleship to boasting about it—something the thorn was meant to prevent.
Why God Allowed Paul’s Thorn to Remain
2 Corinthians 12:8 (KJV)
“For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.”
Paul pleaded with God three times to remove the thorn. But God said:
Verse 9 (KJV)
“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”
Many stop there and interpret this to mean, “Sometimes God just lets you suffer.” But that misses the spiritual principle in the second half of the verse:
💡 God’s Strength Is Perfected in Weakness
God was not ignoring Paul’s suffering—He was addressing its spiritual cause.
Paul needed to be broken of self-reliance.
“My strength is made perfect in weakness” means:
- When you are weak in your flesh, you learn to rely fully on God’s power.
- Your pride is destroyed.
- Your dependence on self dies, and the power of Christ can rest on you.
That’s why Paul eventually said:
“Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (v.9)
⚖️ Connecting Paul to Job: Legal Grounds in the Spirit Realm
This insight aligns with the story of Job. Many believe Job’s suffering was just a test, but as shown in Scripture, Job’s self-righteousness created legal grounds for the enemy.
Likewise, Paul’s pride gave room for “a messenger of Satan.”
This reveals a core principle of spiritual warfare:
Sin—known or unknown—creates legal access for demonic affliction.
God allows these things not to destroy us, but to discipline us and purify our hearts.
🛡️ The Modern Mistake: “Maybe I Have a Thorn Like Paul”
Today, many believers say, “Maybe I have a thorn like Paul,” as a way to explain why they’re not healed or delivered.
But here’s the problem:
If Paul’s Thorn came because of pride, and the thorn remained because the pride persisted, then the issue wasn’t that God wanted him to suffer—it’s that Paul had a spiritual problem that needed to be corrected.
🔑 Final Takeaway: To Win in Spiritual Warfare, Deal with Sin
Whether it’s Job’s self-righteousness or Paul’s pride, the Bible makes one thing clear:
- Sin opens the door.
- Pride blinds us to the cause.
- Grace gives us power to repent—not permission to stay the same.
If you want to win in spiritual warfare, you must deal with known and unknown sin. Only then can the door to demonic access be closed.