MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU

MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. ^Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ^And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ^ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12: 7-12)

The revelations – (2 Corinthians 12:1)

A thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan -This was sent to him by God, to keep him humble. As with Job, Satan was the immediate cause, but God was the ultimate cause. Paul’s use of the word “messenger” (Gr., angelos, or angel) from Satan suggests the “thorn in the flesh” (literally “a stake for the flesh”) was a demonized person, not a physical illness. Of the 175 uses of the Gr. word, angelos, in the New Testament, most are in reference to angels. This angel was from Satan, a demon afflicting Paul. Possibly, the best explanation for this demon was that he was indwelling the ring leader of the Corinthian conspiracy, the leader of the false apostles. Through them he was tearing up Paul’s beloved church and thus driving a painful stake through Paul. Further support for this view comes from the context of chapters 10–13, which is one of fighting adversaries (the false prophets). The verb translated “torment, buffet” always refers to ill treatment from other people (Matthew 26:67; Mark 14:65; 1 Corinthians 4:11; 1 Peter 2:20). Finally, the Old Testament describes Israel’s personal opponents as thorns (Numbers 33:55; Joshua 23:13; Judges 2:3; Ezekiel 28:24).

Lest I be exalted above measure - The assault was painful, but purposeful. God was allowing Satan to bring this severe trouble in the church for the purpose of humbling Paul who, having had so many revelations, including a trip to heaven and back, would have been proud. The demonized false apostle attacking his work in Corinth was the stake being driven through his otherwise proud flesh.

I pleaded … three times. Paul, longing for relief from this painful hindrance to his ministry, went to his Lord, begging Him (the use of the definite article with “Lord” shows Paul’s prayer was directed to Jesus) to remove it. The demons are only subject to His authority. The 3-fold repetition of Paul’s request parallels that of Jesus in Gethsemane (Mark 14:32–41). Both Paul and Jesus had their requests denied, but were granted grace to endure their ordeals.

My grace is sufficient for you - The present tense of the verb translated “is sufficient” reveals the constant availability of divine grace. God would not remove the thorn, as Paul had requested, but would continually supply him with grace to endure it (1 Corinthians 15:10; Philippians 4:13; Colossians 1:29).

My strength is made perfect in weakness – 2 Corinthians 4:7–11. The weaker the human instrument, the more clearly God’s grace shines forth.  Paul took no pleasure in the pain itself, but rejoiced in the power of Christ that it revealed through him.