2 Corinthians 12:7 Meaning and Explanation
“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →To keep him humble after such great revelations, Paul was given a painful thorn in the flesh that buffeted him.
What Does 2 Corinthians 12:7 Mean?
Paul explains the purpose behind a lasting affliction. Because of the abundance of the revelations, he was in danger of being exalted above measure, lifted up with pride. So there was given to him a thorn in the flesh, a sharp and recurring trouble he calls a messenger of Satan to buffet him. He repeats the phrase lest I should be exalted to stress why it came.
Paul does not name the thorn, leaving every suffering reader room to identify with him. What he makes plain is that even our pains can serve God's purpose, keeping us low and dependent. The same trial that felt like an enemy's blow became the instrument that preserved his humility, showing that God can turn even hardship toward our good.
2 Corinthians 12:7 in the Original Language
skolops (σκόλοψ), 'thorn' -- a stake or sharp splinter, an embedded and persistent source of pain.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 12:7
What does 2 Corinthians 12:7 mean?
To keep him humble after such great revelations, Paul was given a painful thorn in the flesh that buffeted him.