How did the Lord Jesus protect Paul from the danger of exalting himself?

Back to Study the Book of Second Corinthians

He sent to Paul a thorn in his flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment him so he would not exalt himself.

There has been speculation as to what Paul’s "thorn" was. Some have felt that it was a physical infirmity. Others have protested that the promises of God would shield Paul from sickness.

Whatever the "thorn" was it served to keep Paul dependent on the Lord. God’s "thorns" always accomplish God’s purposes if the saint will cooperate with the Lord and not resist Him.

On the other hand, we should never become passive and assume that our troubles are a thorn from the Lord.

We have not had Paul’s revelations. If we pray when we are afflicted we find to our joy that while the afflictions of the righteous are many, the Lord delivers him out of them all.