Originally Posted by Jacy
How do we know Pauls "thorn in the flesh" was some type of physical illness and not some type of oppostition? .......or other issue?
There is no way of knowing absolutely what it was, e.g., physical or spiritual. However, the majority of commentators over the centuries lean strongly toward a physical malady. The conjectures as to what that physical affliction was are many; most without any biblical warrant whatsoever. As I mentioned, it MAY HAVE BEEN some type of issue with his eyes. The passages given to support this idea are: Gal 4:13-15 (direct reference to an infirmity of the flesh); 6:ll (Paul writes with large letters); Acts 23:5 (Paul failed to recognize Ananias as the High Priest). Perhaps it is similar to what happened to Job where Satan was given permission to afflict him, Job 2:1ff. Again, there is no conclusive evidence for one to say with certainty or even with some confidence what this thorn (Gk: stake) in the flesh was.

What can be said with surety is that whatever it was that Paul had to endure it is paradigmatic of the trials and tribulations all believers face in this life which the Lord brings to them for the purpose of keeping them humble and that they might be fruitful in the Lord's in service. We should learn from this that human weakness and divine grace go hand-in-hand together.

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Psalms 103:13-18 (ASV) "Like as a father pitieth his children, So Jehovah pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; And the place thereof shall know it no more. But the lovingkindness of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, And to those that remember his precepts to do them."
In His grace,

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simul iustus et peccator

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