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.
So I wouldn't get too full of myself from all these incredible visions God was showing me, I was given this painful struggle, like a thorn that just won't come out. It's literally from Satan, meant to beat me down and keep me humble so I don't think I'm all that.
Sometimes God lets us struggle with hard things to keep us grounded and remember we need him.
📚 Historical Context
In the context of Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, he was defending his apostolic authority against false teachers who challenged his credibility and boasted about their own experiences. Paul describes his profound visions and revelations from God but mentions the "thorn in the flesh" as a humbling affliction sent by God to prevent pride from overwhelming him. This thorn, which could have been a physical ailment or ongoing trial, highlights the tension between divine favor and human weakness in the early Christian church.
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