What was Paul’s “Thorn in the Flesh”?
Some people wonder if Paul suffered from a problem with his eyes. Perhaps that was the “thorn in the flesh” that he mentioned.
OVERVIEW
This is the verse where Paul mentions the “thorn in the flesh” he suffered from:
2 Corinthians 12:7. By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.
Paul never mentions his ““thorn in the flesh” being healed.
BACKGROUND
In those days, letters were often dictated to a scribe. If Paul suffered from a problem with his eyes, he would have needed to dictate his letters.
In those days, if the author dictated the letter, they might have added a greeting in their own hand.
In Paul’s case, he did indeed add a greeting in his own hand. In fact, he wrote in large letters. That seems to correlate with a problem with his eyes.
OTHER VERSES
Colossians 4:18. The salutation of me, Paul, with my own hand: remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
1 Corinthians 16:21. This greeting is by me, Paul, with my own hand.
Galatians 6:11. See with what large letters I write to you with my own hand.
2 Thessalonians 3:17. The greeting of me, Paul, with my own hand, which is the sign in every letter: this is how I write.
ALTERNATIVE THEORIES
Other people speculate that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was a chronic illness.
Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.