Aramaic Idiom - A Thorn In The Flesh
This phrase "a thorn in the flesh" is an actual Aramaic Idiom that is often used by the Near Eastern people.
In fact, we in the English educated community also use this phrase to mean the SAME thing, as them.
This phrase appears in several bible verses.
Let us look at 2 Corinthians 12:7,
2Corinthians 12:7 (KJV)
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
The original Aramaic writings read like this:
Qn: Why did Paul wrote this verse?
Ans: Basing on evidential historical records, wherever Paul went, he constantly met with great opposition, persecution and verbal and non-verbal attacks. Some of the listeners also questioned Paul as a real apostle and went against his authority among the believers. Paul also faced many false teachers, and his many writings of the New Testament books were meant to counter such teachings.
Because of these constant accusations and attacks, they were considered to be a source of irritation, and that's why he used the phrase "a thorn in his flesh".
Other examples of such use of "thorns" or "thorns in the flesh/body" are:
Genesis 3:18 (ESV) ... THORNS and thistles it shall bring forth for you; ...
Numbers 33:55 (ESV) But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and THORNS in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell.
Judges 2:3 (ESV) So now I say, I will not drive them out before you, but they shall become THORNS IN YOUR SIDES, and their gods shall be a snare to you.”
This verse in 2 Corinthians 12:7 is very interesting. It was as if Paul didn't want his readers to misunderstand his Idiom, and so he explained himself by giving a further explanation on the idiom/phrase "a thorn in the flesh".
Side NOTE: Have you heard of the cult of "christian" believers in Philippines, where they used all kinds of thorns to cut their own flesh (basing on this verse) because they believed that if Paul can be humbled by these thorns (which they believed to be "real" "physical" thorns from plants), so they too can whip their own flesh with thorns to make themselves humble and thus be acceptable by God. (God's acceptance of us has nothing to do with our futile efforts). These are people who believe in Jesus Christ and they numbered in the millions! This is an example of how a wrong interpretation of bible verse using contemporary languages (without looking accurately at the cultural, historical and linguistic relevance), can cause such massive damages and sway millions into danger and grave errors.
Qn: What was the further explanation of the idiom "a thorn in the flesh"?
Ans: Paul said that this "thorn in the flesh" is explained as "a messenger of Satan to buffet me". He meant "A TROUBLEMAKER".
In our modern English, Paul would have wrote "I AM HARASSED OR TROUBLED BY TROUBLEMAKERS."
Qn: What is the meaning "messenger of Satan" in 2 Corinthians 12:7?
Ans: It means a person who is a deceiver and a fraud who teaches wrong teachings and philosophies, to counter-attack on Paul. He is a Troublemaker. He is a false teacher. His teachings are malicious and meant to harm Paul and to destroy his teaching and authority.
Paul’s thorn in the flesh wasn’t sickness or epilepsy or any other physical illness. It was the people who opposed and irritated him and continually caused him problems!
So now you know the meaning of "a thorn in the flesh".
