The thorns in Paul's flesh

On a Sunday, many Christians would be in church. Certainly one Biblical passage to hear on Sundays (in the mainline churches) is 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10. This text is located within the context of Paul's boast in the Lord Jesus Christ. So Paul says, in order that he might not become conceited by the many miracles and the extraordinary revelations he received from the Lord, a thorn was placed in his flesh. For Paul, this thorn in the flesh is any form of suffering and degrading situations he had to go through. He was rejected by the elders of their common faith; he was accused of perverting the message of the Torah. He was condemned to die for his faith in Jesus Christ. On another level the thorns could refer to his own human weakness, e.g. loss of faith in the power of Christ to deliver him, the state of giving give up and resignation.

At the same time, through suffering he was able to develop a more intimate relationship with his Lord. He prayed very intensively. But the words came back to him: “My grace is enough for you, for in weakness power reaches perfection.” This seems to suggest that his humanness and weakness which drifted him from doing the good that he always wanted to do is a part of this thorn in his flesh.

For many Christians, their belongingness to a congregation, or their faithfulness to the Lord is enough reason not to undergo suffering and humiliation or drift away from the path of righteousness. Most Christians tend to nourish the idea that a disinterested religion is not possible. A disinterested religion is one that involves the worship of God without necessarily expecting a reward. But for most Christians we worship God in order that God might do our bidding when we are also in need. This expectation is natural but should not be the main reason to worship God. This is one message of today.

God's grace is enough for us even if we have to go through humiliation at the hands of men or women; at the hands of our friends or even relations. Without making this text a pretext not to act in the face of suffering and humiliation, Paul shows us that he did something to correct his situation. He looked at his state in a positive way. He developed a positive attitude towards what he was going through. He never resigned his situation to fate. He did not say elavanyo, or ebeyeyie or ebayi loo.

Many Christians develop this attitude of resignation and in extreme cases reject God. Many also try to solve their problems by indulging in other self-destructive temporary measures. A common solution is the resignation of one's fate to the power of alcohol. Paul shows us the way. Look at your position in a positive manner. Even if sinfulness is the thorn in your flesh; if betrayal by friends is the thorn in your flesh; if you are hated by others because you are successful and they are not and so seek means to make your life a hell, you can still look at these in a more positive way. At least betrayal from those we trusted teaches us to understand the human condition better. Human beings are strong and weak. But it is not enough to hide under this fact and revel in our poor state. Do something positive about your situation. Paul shows us a way. He says: “I am content with weakness… with persecution.. . for the sake of Christ; for when I am powerless, it is then that I am strong. (2 Cor 12:10)”.

I wish you a blessed Sunday, dear Reader!

Credit: Paul A. Agbodza