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. (2 Corinthians 12:7)
A statement Paul repeats, for emphasis, at the end of the verse. God saw fit to protect Paul against himself.
Thorn.
Gr. skolops, “a pointed piece of wood,”“a pale,”“a sharp stake.” The papyri also uses the word to refer to a splinter, or sliver, driven into the flesh and impossible to get out. The usual NT word for thorn is akantha (Matt. 13:22; 27:29; etc.).
In the flesh.
The infirmity was bodily, not spiritual or mental. It was apparently something prominent, which caused him considerable embarrassment as well as discomfort and inconvenience. It was evidently some affliction that affected the eyes (Gal. 4:13-15; see EGW Supplementary Material on ch. 12:7-9).
To buffet.
Literally, “to strike with the fist,” and thus “to treat with violence.” Compare the same word in Matt. 26:67; 1 Cor. 4:11; 1 Peter 2:20. Satan’s purpose was to annoy Paul and hinder his work. Christ’s purpose in permitting the affliction was to protect Paul from pride.
The messenger of Satan.
Or, “an angel of Satan.” The affliction was of Satan, but permitted by God. Thus it was with Job (Job 1:6-12; 2:7; cf. Luke 13:16). It is of Satan’s nature and work to inflict bodily suffering and disease.
Lest I should be.
Important textual evidence (cf. p. 10) may be cited for the omission of the last clause of this verse.