Our word this week is a hapax legomenon, that is, used only once in the Greek New Testament, the word skolops σκολοψ (2 Corinthians 12:7, translated "thorn"). Concerning this word, Thayer notes that from the time of Homer down skolops meant "a pointed piece of wood, a pale, a stake."F1 Furthermore, he comments that it appears to indicate some constant bodily ailment or infirmity, which, even when Paul had been caught up in a trance to the third heaven, sternly admonished him that he still dwelt in a frail and mortal body.F2 Commenting on skolops, Ralph Earle asserts 'In the flesh' suggests it was a physical affliction, probably chronic malaria or poor eyesight. The idea of pain seems suggested by the context.F3
In the ongoing debate as to the exact meaning of skolops in 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul Barnett notes that the two chief options of skolops are either relational or physical. By relational, Barnett means that human opposition and persecution that often followed Paul in his ministry. And by physical, Barnett means an illness, or disfigurement, or disability, or moral temptation that constantly plagued the apostle.F4
Whatever the skolops in Paul's flesh was, two truths from the context seem to be obvious: first, in Paul's own words "to keep me from exalting myself, there was given [edothe, aorist passive of didomi, "to give"] me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment meto keep me from exalting myself" (2 Corinthians 12:7, NASB). The expression "exalting myself" forms an inclusion, which appears at the beginning and end of the verse.
Consider this: though the inspired apostle "implored the Lord three times that it [skolops] might leave" him, the Lord's reply to the apostle forms the basis of the second reason why the skolops was given: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness."
Let us explore each of these reasons: first, the skolops was given to prevent self-exaltation, becoming puffed up by pride. There is an expression that we find encouraging at times: "I must take pride in what I do." For example, I must take pride in my art work. Now, this form of pride is pleasant and tolerable. We all need this form of pride. When we allow this pride, however, to cause us to be high and mighty, self exalted, then our pride becomes unhealthy.
Maybe you might have a "thorn in the flesh," and you have been praying to the Lord for it to leave you, but it still remains. Take courage. The Lord is up to something wonderful in your life (see James 1:3-4). Yes, Paul had to learn that lesson too!
Next, when we have a "thorn in the flesh" and have prayed for it to be removed and it still remains, we need to take courage and comfort in the Lord's reply to his chosen vessel: "My grace is sufficient for you, for power perfected in weakness." I guarantee you his grace and power is all we need in "thorny" times. Yes, God's grace and power are at there best in "thorny" times"for my power is perfected in weakness."
For basketball fans, especially fans of the San Antonia Spurs, you would remember the "Twin Towers," David Robinson who is now retired, and Tim Duncan who still plays for the Spurs. No doubt they were dubbed after the "Twin Towers" that stood with such a mighty and commanding presence in the sky. Well, I like to refer to "My grace" and "power" as the "Twin Towers" of the Lord, which stand with a mighty and commanding presence in the midst of our "thorny times."
Finally, we may not know exactly what was Paul's skolops or "thorn in the flesh," but we know exactly what the Lord means by "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Yes, I will take clarity over obscurity, any day!
FOOTNOTES:
F1: Joseph H. Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1901), 579.
F2: Ibid.
F3: Ralph Earle, Word Meanings in the New Testament (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1986), 263.
F4: Paul Barnett, The Second Epistle to the Corinthians, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997), 569-70.
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Bill Klein has been a pastor, counselor, and educator for the past 41 years. He has had extensive training and education in biblical languages, and has authored a Biblical Greek course.
He is currently serving as Professor of Biblical Greek at Master's Graduate School of Divinity, and president of BTE Ministries - The Bible Translation and Exegesis Institute of America, a non-profit organization located in California that provides Bible study tapes and Greek study materials through their website BTEMinistries.org.