What was Paul's thorn in the flesh?
With Chuck SmithAll answers with Chuck Smith →
Chuck Smith, Answers for Today, chapter 4: Because of the abundance of revelations in Paul’s life God put a thorn in his flesh to keep him from being puffed up. What was Paul’s thorn in the flesh? The word “thorn” in the Greek actually means “a stake,” a reference to a big tent stake. Don’t think of Paul as having a little pesky thorn in his side. He had a tent stake driven in! It wasn’t a minor irritation—it was a major disability! Paul refers to his thorn as a “…messenger of Satan to buffet me.” The word “messenger” in Greek is aggelos, which literally means “an angel.” Paul had an angel of Satan to buffet him. His thorn in the flesh may have been a very painful eye disease causing his eyes to run continually. There are several allusions to this in the Scriptures (Galatians 4:15; 6:11). But whatever Paul’s thorn was, it was an emissary of Satan who was continually buffeting him. Scripture, King James Version: Galatians 4:15, "Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.
Go deeper
Verified. Every scripture quotation on this page has been checked word-for-word against the King James text. Last reviewed 2026-10-15.
Share this answer
What was Paul's thorn in the flesh? → wsb.bible/answers/what-was-pauls-thorn-in-the-flesh