Theology Thursday: Thorn Clues
filed in bible on Aug.21, 2008
I mentioned previously that I might give a short blurb explaining what I believe Paul’s “thorn” was. So, here goes (Yeah…short blurbs aren’t really my thing). First, let’s look at the passage where he mentions it:
What could it be? How about we look over in Galatians for another clue?
Paul is clearly talking about the same affliction here, but the last statement about the Galatians wishing they could pull out their eyes and give them to him is a huge clue here. Maybe it’s something wrong with his eyes? Look at this:
What would necessitate Paul to write in large letters? Could it be poor eyesight? Are there other clues about this? Check this out:
The context for that quote is that Paul was before the Council, and the High Priest ordered him to be whupped upside the head. Paul barked back at him, calling him a “whitewashed wall” and actually cursing him.
How could he not recognize the High Priest? It’s possible he was being sarcastic. “I didn’t realize that jerk was the High Priest…”, but I suspect he just couldn’t see that far.
Of course, what I’ve presented here isn’t an ironclad case. But remember, when Paul was converted, he was struck blind, then received his sight again when Ananias laid hands on him. There’s no reason to think he received his full sight back. Or, he may have at that point, but then had it go bad at a later date.
I’ve heard other ideas for Paul’s thorn, from a nagging wife to a case of arthritis. Thoughts?
That was pretty short, wasn’t it? Not even 500 words…
August 21st, 2008 on 1:42 pm
Could he have been a tent maker with really bad eyesight?
August 21st, 2008 on 2:28 pm
Interesting question. Possibly this would lead to the idea that he lost his sight late in life. He apparently didn’t write the letter to the Galatians until he was over 50. I don’t know if worked as a tentmaker for his entire ministry in any case.
Do you have another “thorn” theory?
August 21st, 2008 on 2:53 pm
When I read thorn in the fles, I think Romans 7, but I haven’t made sure that they have the same in the original greek, either.
To me, Romans 7 was written by someone who really understood sin from an ongoing standpoint. Something he struggled with daily, or in constant cycles.
When he fell into sin, the guilt and shame would have been a constant reminder about his limitations. So I’m leaning toward something sinful out of the 10 Commandments. Lust, greed, laziness, and so on, not some physical ailment.
August 21st, 2008 on 4:07 pm
I agree it’s possible. The Greek doesn’t look too promising in terms of a connection, although Paul mentions “flesh” in both. To me, though, the image of a thorn in flesh brings to mind something physical. But that assumes that he’s talking about “flesh” and not “sinful nature” or somesuch.
Do you also think Paul’s “infirmity” he wrote about to the Galatians as a sin thing? The language there certainly seems to indicate a physical problem. If he had cataracts, for instance, his appearance would be somewhat marred, which might lead some to “despise” him.