What was Paul's "thorn in the flesh"?

Scriptural Citation and Context

In 2 Corinthians 12:7–10, Paul writes:

“or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me—so that I would not become conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

These verses lie within Paul’s letter addressing the Corinthian church. Paul, who experienced powerful revelations from God, was “given a thorn” to prevent pride. Although the exact identity of the thorn is never explicitly revealed, it emerges as a humble reminder of dependence on God’s grace and strength.

Overview of Common Interpretations

The phrase “thorn in the flesh” has been the subject of widespread scholarly commentary and reflection throughout church history. Though Scripture does not precisely define Paul’s thorn, several prominent theories have emerged:

1. Physical Ailment

Many suggest Paul’s thorn was a chronic illness or painful physical condition. Possible proposals include recurring malaria, migraine headaches, epilepsy, or an eye disorder. In Galatians 4:15, Paul references the Galatians’ willingness to gouge out their eyes and give them to him if possible, implying he suffered from serious eye issues. And in Galatians 6:11, he notes using “large letters,” which some read as further support of an eye affliction.

2. Persecution or Hostility

Others believe Paul’s thorn was the persistent hostility of opponents or false apostles who opposed his ministry. Throughout his letters, Paul details intense persecutions (2 Corinthians 11:23–27) and confrontations with adversaries who tried to undermine his apostolic authority. Interpreting “thorn in the flesh” as persecution aligns with the spiritual battle that included “a messenger of Satan” opposing the gospel work.

3. Demonic or Spiritual Harassment

A literal reading of “a messenger of Satan” also leads some to propose direct demonic influence or affliction. In this view, Paul experienced repeated spiritual assaults designed to torment him. While consistent with spiritual warfare themes in Scripture (Ephesians 6:12), this perspective still highlights that God’s sovereign grace remained sufficient, even in such oppression.

4. Emotional or Psychological Struggle

A smaller number of commentators consider Paul may have endured anxiety, depression, or deep emotional burdens over church conflicts, errant congregations, and the weight of apostolic care (2 Corinthians 11:28–29). These burdens, though not “physical,” could have functioned similarly to a constant “thorn” piercing him.

The Purpose of the Thorn

Regardless of its precise nature, Paul’s description emphasizes the thorn’s role in cultivating reliance on God:

• Humility – Twice, Paul explains that it was given “so that I would not become conceited” (2 Corinthians 12:7). Paul, entrusted with soaring revelations, needed a humbling reminder of his frailty.

• Dependence – For Paul, the thorn led him to cry out three times for relief (12:8). With each plea, God’s response was that divine strength is “perfected in weakness” (12:9). This underscores the biblical pattern: God’s people often encounter trials that magnify His sufficiency (see also Job’s faithfulness in adversity and 1 Peter 5:10 on God’s restorative power).

• Glorifying Christ – Paul ultimately boasts in his infirmities to showcase the power of Christ. This elevates Christ as the source of true strength and testifies to onlookers that God’s grace carries His people through every hardship (12:9–10).

Acknowledgments from Early Christian Writings and Manuscript Evidence

While early church writers such as Tertullian and Jerome commented on Paul’s sufferings, they did not unanimously identify the thorn. Their varied observations reflect the same uncertainty seen today. Yet, these early witnesses affirm that Paul’s letters, including 2 Corinthians, were accepted as authoritative.

Archaeological discoveries and manuscript evidence also bolster our confidence in the reliability of Paul’s letter and its content. Notably, the Chester Beatty Papyri (P 46), dated around AD 175–225, include extensive sections of the Pauline epistles, attesting to the faithful preservation of the text. Corresponding historical and archaeological finds—such as the Erastus inscription in Corinth—verify the existence of key figures and locations mentioned by Paul, reinforcing our trust in the integrity and historical rootedness of Scripture.

Theological Significance in the Larger Canon

This passage fits cohesively within the broader scriptural theme of God working mightily through human weakness. In the Old Testament, God chose unlikely and “weak” individuals—like Gideon (Judges 6–7) and David (1 Samuel 16)—to demonstrate that His power is unmatched. Jesus’s life and ministry underscore this principle: His death and resurrection reveal God’s redemptive plan through what appeared to be the ultimate display of weakness.

Christ’s own resurrection—documented and defended by numerous historical, textual, and eyewitness accounts—underscores that God’s strength fully conquers human frailty and death itself. Paul’s thorn, although challenging, fits in that same framework of “when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10), serving as a constant testimony of God’s sustaining hand.

Practical and Devotional Reflections

Knowing details of the thorn’s exact form can be less important than recognizing its spiritual purpose. The passage invites believers to respond to personal struggles by:

• Trusting God – Leaning on divine grace during trials instead of merely seeking immediate relief.

• Seeking Humility – Acknowledging human limitations and allowing God’s power, rather than personal ability, to be the source of victory.

• Worshiping in Weakness – Turning hardships into an occasion for God’s glory. As Paul delighted “in weaknesses … for when I am weak, then I am strong” (12:10).

Conclusion

Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” remains a source of debate, reflecting either a physical condition, persecution, spiritual warfare, emotional burden, or a combination of trials. But regardless of its specific identity, the passage shows a unified scriptural truth: adversity can deepen dependence on God’s grace and demonstrate His mighty power at work in and through human frailty.

In the final analysis, 2 Corinthians 12:7–10 connects to the tapestry of biblical teaching—God uses weakness to exhibit His unmistakable strength. Paul’s thorn stands as a timeless reminder that whatever our “thorn,” we can trust that divine grace is always sufficient. For believers and seekers alike, this reassurance points to a consistent God who works through history, miracles, creation, and personal lives, culminating in the ultimate redemptive act: Christ’s resurrection, which demonstrates forever that “when I am weak, then I am strong.”