abc’s of understanding paul’s thorn in the flesh 2 cor. 12:3-9
TRANSCRIPT
ABC’s of UnderstandingPaul’s Thorn in the Flesh
2 Cor. 12:3-9
3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor. 3:4-9
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
When You Find a Difficult Verse:
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
When You Find a Difficult Verse:
• Define Every Word
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
When You Find a Difficult Verse:
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
When You Find a Difficult Verse:
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say
• Use Your ABC’s
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
When You Find a Difficult Verse:
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say
• Use Your ABC’s
• A = Look at Verses Above
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
When You Find a Difficult Verse:
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say
• Use Your ABC’s
• A = Look at Verses Above
• B = Look at Verses Below
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
When You Find a Difficult Verse:
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say
• Use Your ABC’s
• A = Look at Verses Above
• B = Look at Verses Below
• C = Look at Verses in the Context
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
When You Find a Difficult Verse:
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say
• Use Your ABC’s
• A = Look at Verses Above
• B = Look at Verses Below
• C = Look at Verses in the Context
• D = Doublecheck Other Verses
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Cor. 3:4-9
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Paradise
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Paradise
• Luke 23:43
• Rev. 2:7
• Verses above
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Paradise
• Luke 23:43
• Rev. 2:7
• Verses above
• Thorn in the flesh
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Paradise
• Luke 23:43
• Rev. 2:7
• Verses above
• Thorn in the flesh
• Literal or figurative
• Examples of figurative usage = Num. 33:55; Josh. 23:55; Jud. 2:3
Num_33:55 But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell.
Jos_23:13 know for certain that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations from before you. But they shall be snares and traps to you, and scourges on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land which the LORD your God
has given you. Jdg_2:3 Therefore I also said, 'I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be thorns in your side, and their gods shall
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say• Paul knew a man
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say• Paul knew a man
• Man caught up to Paradise, heard things
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say• Paul knew a man
• Man caught up to Paradise, heard things
• Paul might have boasted about him
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say• Paul knew a man
• Man caught up to Paradise, heard things
• Paul might have boasted about him
• Paul had abundance of revelation
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say• Paul knew a man
• Man caught up to Paradise, heard things
• Paul might have boasted about him
• Paul had abundance of revelation
• To keep him from boasting—thorn in flesh
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say• Paul knew a man
• Man caught up to Paradise, heard things
• Paul might have boasted about him
• Paul had abundance of revelation
• To keep him from boasting—thorn in flesh
• Thorn = a messenger of Satan, to stop boasting
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say• Paul knew a man
• Man caught up to Paradise, heard things
• Paul might have boasted about him
• Paul had abundance of revelation
• To keep him from boasting—thorn in flesh
• Thorn = a messenger of Satan, to stop boasting
• Paul asked God three time to remove thorn
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say• Paul knew a man
• Man caught up to Paradise, heard things
• Paul might have boasted about him
• Paul had abundance of revelation
• To keep him from boasting—thorn in flesh
• Thorn = a messenger of Satan, to stop boasting
• Paul asked God three time to remove thorn
• God refused, “My grace is sufficient”
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say
• Use Your ABC’s
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible
Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say
• Use Your ABC’s
• A = Look at Verses Above
• B = Look at Verses Below
• C = Look at Verses in the Context
• D = Doublecheck Other Verses
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say
• Use Your ABC’s• False apostles denied Paul’s apostleship 2 Cor. 11:1-13
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say
• Use Your ABC’s• False apostles denied Paul’s apostleship 2 Cor. 11:1-13
• They were deceitful workers; unrighteous ministers
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say
• Use Your ABC’s• False apostles denied Paul’s apostleship 2 Cor. 11:1-13
• They were deceitful workers; unrighteous ministers
• They boasted in the flesh 11:22-23
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say
• Use Your ABC’s• False apostles denied Paul’s apostleship 2 Cor. 11:1-13
• They were deceitful workers; unrighteous ministers
• They boasted in the flesh 11:22-23
• Paul “boasted” to show he surpassed them 11:17, 24-33
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say
• Use Your ABC’s• False apostles denied Paul’s apostleship 2 Cor. 11:1-13
• They were deceitful workers; unrighteous ministers
• They boasted in the flesh 11:22-23
• Paul “boasted” to show he surpassed them 11:17, 24-33
• Such boasting was not profitable 12:1
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say
• Use Your ABC’s• False apostles denied Paul’s apostleship 2 Cor. 11:1-13
• They were deceitful workers; unrighteous ministers
• They boasted in the flesh 11:22-23
• Paul “boasted” to show he surpassed them 11:17, 24-33
• Such boasting was not profitable 12:1
• Consider abundant visions & revelations which Paul saw
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say
• Use Your ABC’s• False apostles denied Paul’s apostleship 2 Cor. 11:1-13
• They were deceitful workers; unrighteous ministers
• They boasted in the flesh 11:22-23
• Paul “boasted” to show he surpassed them 11:17, 24-33
• Such boasting was not profitable 12:1
• Consider abundant visions & revelations which Paul saw
• Thorn kept him from being exalted
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
• Define Every Word
• Clearly State What Words Say
• Use Your ABC’s• False apostles denied Paul’s apostleship 2 Cor. 11:1-13
• They were deceitful workers; unrighteous ministers
• They boasted in the flesh 11:22-23
• Paul “boasted” to show he surpassed them 11:17, 24-33
• Such boasting was not profitable 12:1
• Consider abundant visions & revelations which Paul saw
• Thorn kept him from being exalted
• Thorn = messenger of Satan cf. 12:7 & 11:13-15
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
Concluding Observations
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
Concluding Observations
• Physical afflictions does not bring humility
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
Concluding Observations
• Physical afflictions does not bring humility
• Denial of Paul’s apostleship was widespread
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
Concluding Observations
• Physical afflictions does not bring humility
• Denial of Paul’s apostleship was widespread
• Could not boast, constant battle over apostleship
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
Concluding Observations
• Physical afflictions does not bring humility
• Denial of Paul’s apostleship was widespread
• Could not boast, constant battle over apostleship
• Thorn in his flesh – use in OT = enemies
ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh
Concluding Observations
• Physical afflictions does not bring humility
• Denial of Paul’s apostleship was widespread
• Could not boast, constant battle over apostleship
• Thorn in his flesh – use in OT = enemies
• God knows best; we should glory in our weakness
The “ABC’s” of Salvation
• Believe in Him John 3:16
• Repent—decide to obey Acts 17:30
• Confess Christ Rom. 10:9
• Baptized to be saved Acts 22:16
Added to His kingdom, His church
• Be faithful until death Rev. 2:10