ABC’s of Understanding Paul’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, 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, 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, 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, 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 HimJohn 3:16 Repent—decide to obeyActs 17:30 Confess ChristRom. 10:9 Baptized to be savedActs 22:16 Added to His kingdom, His church Be faithful until deathRev. 2:10