Free Bible Commentary
“2 Corinthians 12:7-10”
Categories: 2 Corinthians“Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me — to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”
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The Lord “lifted Paul up” during his time of doubt and fear, but then He brought him back “down to earth” for his own good. Paul had been allowed to see and hear things that were just too marvelous to describe when he was “caught up into third heaven” (verse 2). But, there is a grave danger when a person is riding high on a mountain of glory that he will begin to glorify himself instead of the Lord. Beware of “mountain top moments”! When you get so high there is only one way to go!
“Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,” Paul was given “a thorn in the flesh” to keep him from “exalting” himself (verse 7). The Lord lifts us up when we are in most need of a boost, but we usually do not thank God for humbling us with the “thorns” that are designed to give us perspective and keep us on an even keel. Paul makes it clear that his “thorn in the flesh” (whatever that was) originated from Satan (verse 7). But God permitted that moment of “weakness” in order to show him where his true strength resided.
“My grace is sufficient for you” (verse 9). Sometimes God says “No” to our most earnest and ardent prayers for relief to demonstrate His grace to us (verse 8)! That sounds like a bit of a contradiction, but God has never promised to take away all of the storms and thorns of life. He does, however, promise us the grace and strength to endure them, and that He will carry us through the most difficult challenges of life, if we will only remain faithful to Him.
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6). Whose strength are you relying upon? Your own or the Lord’s?
“Thus says the LORD, ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the LORD. For he will be like a bush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes, but will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, a land of salt without inhabitant. Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit.’” (Jeremiah 17:5-8)
Please read 2 Corinthians 12:11-13 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed day!
-Louie Taylor
