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2 Corinthians 12:1-10/Thorn in the flesh
In this message, Pastor Caleb discusses the thorn in the flesh that the Apostle Paul describes in 2 Corinthians. Although the exact details of this thorn may be unknown, many Christians still face various thorns in their lives that should not be excused; they should be addressed and dealt with. May Christians not be vulnerable but obtain victory through Jesus Christ as God's plan for each person. Send us a textSupport the showFor more information for our church visit AGCSparta.org.
In this message, Pastor Caleb discusses the thorn in the flesh that the Apostle Paul describes in 2 Corinthians. Although the exact details of this thorn may be unknown, many Christians still face various thorns in their lives that should not be excused; they should be addressed and dealt with. May Christians not be vulnerable but obtain victory through Jesus Christ as God's plan for each person. Send us a textSupport the showFor more information for our church visit AGCSparta.org.
2022-01-10 - The Thorn in the Flesh: 2 Corinthians 12_7-10 [Uucjzy8ydzo] by Salvador Flores III
Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 12 reveal a surprising truth: the very weaknesses we wish would disappear may be the places where God is doing his deepest work. When we feel inadequate, overwhelmed, or worn thin, we may actually be closer to true spiritual strength than we realize. God’s grace meets us not after we overcome our struggles, but right in the midst of them. Listen to this sermon as Jason Harris unpacks how God’s power is made perfect in weakness. ________ Sign up for Central’s newsletters here. Visit us on our website to learn more. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook.
Paul's Thorn in the Flesh. What was Paul's thorn in the flesh? Many think it was sickness. Discover the truth from the Word of God and much more on this episode of Fight To Win with Pastor Kurt Owen.Tactical Tip: Many of our videos contain a short section we call Tactical Tips. Most offer ways to improve personal safety and security.Request the Free Offer: https://www.fighttowin.tvLearn More, Register for Events & Donate:https://www.kurtowen.com/***2025 UPDATED TEXT TO GIVE INFORMATION***Text GIVEKOM to 44321Prefer to Watch the Video?https://youtu.be/tteTNQObIbsBecome a supporter of this podcasthttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fight-to-win-tv-with-kurt-owen--5638799/support.
Why did Paul say his thorn in the flesh was a “messenger of Satan to buffet me”? What is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 12:7?
Equipping Hour - Caleb
What was Paul's thorn in the flesh and why didn't God remove it? Discover how weakness can reveal God's power and reframe your own struggles.
Message by Pastor Stacey ShiflettText: 2 Corinthians 12:7October 29, 2025 - 7PM
For generations, believers have misunderstood Paul's thorn in the flesh—using it as a reason to doubt God's willingness to heal. But what if we've been reading it wrong?In this eye-opening message, Cory unpacks the truth behind 2 Corinthians 12 and shows that Paul's thorn wasn't sickness at all—it was opposition from other people. Scripture makes it clear: the “thorn” was a messenger of Satan, not a disease from God.You'll see how religion has twisted this passage to create doubt and confusion when God's Word consistently reveals a Father who heals, restores, and empowers His people. Jesus never turned anyone away who came to Him in faith—and He's not starting now.God's grace doesn't mean you have to tolerate sickness. It means you have the power to overcome it. His answer is always yes. His will is always healing.
SYNOPSIS Pastor Joe Granieri discusses the nature of Paul's Thorn in the Flesh, arguing against the common interpretation that it was a physical sickness. Instead, the Joe interprets the "thorn" as a messenger of Satan or a demonic spirit that brought persecution to Paul, a view supported by scripture such as 2 Corinthians 12. Joe then addresses the broader topic of whether born-again Christians can be oppressed by demonic spirits in their minds and bodies, concluding that they can be attacked, but not possessed in their spirit. Throughout the sermon, Joe emphasizes that the fullness of salvation includes forgiveness, healing, and deliverance, urging listeners to recognize their identity in Christ to overcome spiritual bondage and fear.Pastor Joe Granieri discusses the nature of Paul's Thorn in the Flesh, arguing against the common interpretation that it was a physical sickness. Instead, the Joe interprets the "thorn" as a messenger of Satan or a demonic spirit that brought persecution to Paul, a view supported by scripture such as 2 Corinthians 12. Joe then addresses the broader topic of whether born-again Christians can be oppressed by demonic spirits in their minds and bodies, concluding that they can be attacked, but not possessed in their spirit. Throughout the sermon, Joe emphasizes that the fullness of salvation includes forgiveness, healing, and deliverance, urging listeners to recognize their identity in Christ to overcome spiritual bondage and fear. ATONEMENT, SALVATION, HEALING, AND DELIVERANCE Joe interprets salvation, healing, and deliverance as intrinsically linked concepts that are all fully provided for in the atonement of Jesus Christ. Interpretation in Relation to the Atonement He emphasizes that healing, salvation, and forgiveness are all part of the atonement. This understanding is derived, in part, from 1 Peter 2:24, which states, "by whose stripes you were healed". The sources teach that once a person realizes this truth, they understand that they can be healed just as they were born again. Salvation (Sozo) The Greek word for salvation, sozo, is interpreted as encompassing more than just forgiveness; it includes healing and deliverance. The message of the kingdom of God is defined as forgiveness, healing, and deliverance. Key aspects of salvation highlighted by this ministry include: • Forgiveness and the Breaking of Sin's Power: Through Jesus's death, he died to sin once and for all, breaking the power of sin. This death accounted for the penalty, the punishment, and the imputation of sin. God no longer imputes sin to believers, and he forgives their iniquities and remembers their sins no more. • No Condemnation: Being in Christ Jesus results in no present-tense condemnation. Condemnation is identified as a spirit that attacks the mind and heart, and the gift of no condemnation is a freedom Christ gives. • Freedom from the Fear of Death: Through his death, Jesus destroyed him who had the power of death (the devil) and released those who were subject to bondage through the fear of death. The ministry teaches that fear of death is bondage, which leaves a person who understands the fullness of their salvation. Healing Healing is considered an element of salvation. It is associated with the resurrection power of Christ, which resides in the spirit of the believer. Joe teaches that: • Spiritual Component: Healing sometimes has a spiritual or demonic component to it. A physical problem in a person may have a spiritual component attacking them. • Pathway to Healing: When a person is delivered from spiritual oppression, they are on the pathway to healing. Deliverance Deliverance is presented as a vital part of the gospel of the kingdom and was a major facet of Jesus's ministry, often preceding healing. • Demonic Oppression: The ministry holds that born-again Christians can be oppressed by demonic spirits in their mind and body, although their spirit (where Jesus lives) is perfect and cannot be possessed. • Torment and Weakness: Demonic spirits manifest as "torment". Paul's "thorn in the flesh" is interpreted as a "messenger of Satan"—a demon spirit sent to torment him by stirring up persecution, riots, arrests, and beatings. This is viewed as a form of attack against which Paul was helpless, requiring total reliance on Jesus. • Deliverance from Oppression: Deliverance is necessary to overcome spiritual bondage caused by spirits of religion, fear, guilt, bitterness, condemnation, and infirmity. The crown of thorns Jesus wore during the atonement was specifically meant to deliver believers from all the oppression that would attack their minds. • Jesus's Methodology: In Jesus's ministry, approximately 50% of the miracles involved deliverance from demonic spirits. For example, the woman crippled for 18 years was first set free from her infirmity (a spirit of infirmity), and then Jesus laid hands on her, and she straightened up. Joe emphasizes that to receive freedom, one must know the truth, as "the truth shall set you free". If a person believes wrong things (such as believing God causes sickness or that demonic spirits cannot attack them), they may not be set free or healed. PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR Fear is described as a master spirit and one of the most dominant things in the world. The ministry teaches that fear involves torment, which is how it operates. Although Joe acknowledges, "Do I have perfect love? It's a quiz. No, I don't have perfect love", he clarifies that Jesus has perfect love. Therefore, the love of Christ that's in your spirit can free you from fear. Joe also connects fear to other concepts: • Bondage: Fear of death is explicitly identified as bondage. • Torment: Fear brings torment with it. • Faith's Opposition: Faith is described as the enemy of fear, noting that they cannot operate at the same time; a person is either in faith or in fear. Joe advises that if a believer is living in the fear of death, they are subject to bondage, and they can pray that the love of Christ will release it out of their spirit so they can overcome it.
Purpose Statement: Who has credentials of a thorn in the flesh? Who has encountered a messenger of Satan to torment you? What happened? Paul's work of ministry was full of accusations by a person. Who opposed Paul in his work in the church of Corinth? Why would God allow such suffering to humble Paul by a false teacher? Humility is important in the life of a Christian and a preacher. Embrace it. Why? It keeps one from being conceited and becomes our greatest preparation for usefulness. How do we deal with painful reminders of our weaknesses? Why did Johnathan Edwards get thrown out of the church? Who gives grace which is sufficient? How did Paul pray for the thorn to be removed? How is our identity in Christ?
Paul's "thorn in the flesh" has sparked countless theories about physical ailments and personal struggles, but the answer may be simpler than we think. Seth and David explore Paul's third heaven experience and show how his thorn in the flesh connects to the pattern of Old Testament prophets and God's power being made perfect in weakness.
In concluding the letter, Paul speaks of a messenger of Satan, a thorn in the flesh. Preachers have used this passage to teach that God is sometimes not willing to heal His servants. That is not at all what the passage implies.
Join us as our lead pastor Jeff Martin continues our series in 2 Corinthians with chapter 12:1-10. As we make our way through this series, please feel free to email info@rccjc.church with any questions you may have. Thanks for listening!Be sure to check out our website: https://www.rccjc.church/Find us on social media:Instagram: redeemerjcFacebook: Redeemer Community ChurchYoutube: Redeemer Community Church
River of Life is an inter-denominational, interracial, Spirit-filled church located in the heart of Wakulla County, Florida. We share the sermons from our services in the hopes they'll reach others determined to worship God in spirit and truth.
River of Life is an inter-denominational, interracial, Spirit-filled church located in the heart of Wakulla County, Florida. We share the sermons from our services in the hopes they'll reach others determined to worship God in spirit and truth.
The sermon explores the concept of enduring hardship and finding strength through reliance on divine grace, drawing from the Apostle Paul's experience with a persistent "thorn in the flesh." It emphasizes that boasting and pride stem from a desire for self-exaltation, while true strength emerges when acknowledging weakness and submitting to God's will. The message underscores that even painful experiences can be utilized to testify to God's transformative power and ultimately bring glory to Him, encouraging listeners to embrace their vulnerabilities and find purpose in their struggles, recognizing that God's design is always for their ultimate good and His divine purpose.
“A thorn in the flesh” can be anything or anyone that causes you pain or suffering. Paul did not define exactly what his was, but it may have been physical affliction or external opposition. Either way, his "thorn" was painful and difficult, and he learned much from his trial as he persevered through it. How well do you handle the pain in your life? What is your “thorn in the flesh” and how should you persevere through it? Pastor Gary gives an encouraging word to help those who are going through trials in today's study from 2 Corinthians 12.
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In this sermon from NewCity Orlando's Preach Your Heart Out series, Pastoral Intern Connor Bonello explores the surprising strength found in weakness through the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:1–10. Paul recounts a profound spiritual experience yet shifts focus to his "thorn in the flesh"—a persistent trial that keeps him dependent on God. Rather than removing the affliction, God assures Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."Connor invites listeners to consider how God's grace meets us not in spite of our weakness but because of it. Rather than striving to escape our limitations, we are called to embrace them as opportunities for Christ's power to rest upon us. In a culture obsessed with strength, competence, and control, this message offers a countercultural hope: that in our frailty, we are not disqualified—but uniquely qualified—to reflect the sufficiency of Christ.
Message from Jorge Villaverde on June 29, 2025
For most of us, the idea of strength in weakness doesn't make any sense. Strength and weakness are opposites. They don't go together at all. Weaknesses are bad and are to be avoided at all costs. Strengths are good, and something all of us want. That explains why most of us do everything we can to avoid, overcome, or conceal our weaknesses. They make us feel vulnerable. They can even frighten us.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/sermons-from-my-heart--2423678/support.
Have you experienced constant pain in your life? Paul did, too. He pleaded with God to take it away, but God allowed it to remain. This was to help Paul grow and learn about God's grace. Whatever you are facing right now, God wants you to rely more on Him. Let's explore how we can do this in our own lives.
Many of us deal with situations that we don't quite know how to handle. Paul knew the degree of difficulty he had to face. He made a decision that no matter what, he would follow Christ.Support the showhttp://www.gwafgbc.org http://www.gwafgbc.org/storehttp://www.gwafgbc.org/givehttps://vimeo.com/manage/videos
2 Corinthians 10-12 is a famous passage of Scripture often nicknamed “Paul's Boast.” While under criticism with the false charge of not being a true apostle, Paul offers credentials for his call to ministry that do not remind us much of what churches today expect of their full time leaders. Included are his sufferings, persecutions, […]
2 Corinthians 10-12 is a famous passage of Scripture often nicknamed “Paul's Boast.” While under criticism with the false charge of not being a true apostle, Paul offers credentials for his call to ministry that do not remind us much of what churches today expect of their full time leaders. Included are his sufferings, persecutions, […]
Paul's Thorn in the Flesh. What was Paul's thorn in the flesh? Many think it was sickness. Discover the truth from the Word of God and much more on this episode of Fight To Win with Pastor Kurt Owen.Request the Free Offer: https://www.fighttowin.tvLearn More, Register for Events & Donate:https://www.kurtowen.com/Prefer to Watch the Video?https://youtu.be/i_apsIcKcjABecome a supporter of this podcasthttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fight-to-win-tv-with-kurt-owen--5638799/support.
Paul experiences "a thorn" after having a vision: Paul is transported to the "third heaven" What is the third heaven? Paul has a thorn "given to him" God doesn't answer Paul's prayer to remove the thorn Is Christ's grace sufficient for you? How God's power is made perfect in weakness Click all the links for more cool stuff: YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnh-aqfg8rw Ko-Fi - https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries Website - https://www.p40ministries.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p40ministries Contact - jenn@p40ministries.com Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/c-6493869 Books - https://www.amazon.com/Jenn-Kokal/e/B095JCRNHY/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk Merch - https://www.p40ministries.com/shop YouVersion - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/38267-out-of-the-mire-trusting-god-in-the-middle Support babies and get quality coffee with Seven Weeks Coffee https://sevenweekscoffee.com/?ref=P40 This ministry is only made possible due to your generous support https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries
Dr. Jack Trieber preached a message entitled “A Thorn in the Flesh” during the Wednesday Evening service on February 19, 2025, at North Valley Baptist Church in Santa Clara, California. View Archived Services at nvbc.org
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Paul prayed three times for God to remove the thorn from his flesh, but God replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This reminds us that God may allow difficulties for a purpose. When we pray, we should align our requests with His Word and trust His perfect timing, knowing His grace sustains us through every challenge.
Soemtimes you can't rebuke sickness and weakness, or demonic oppression, because it comes from God. This is today's sermon!
Sign Up for Prayer: https://orbisprayer.org/ Donate: http://tinyurl.com/yfe3974h In this episode of God is Not a Theory with Ken Fish, Ken Fish and Grant Pemberton explore one of the most debated passages in the New Testament—Paul's “thorn in the flesh.” Together, they unpack the cultural, biblical, and theological implications of this thorn, challenging commonly held beliefs about its nature and purpose. From its connection to spiritual opposition to its relevance for understanding healing, the conversation provides fresh insights into this controversial topic and equips listeners with a deeper understanding of Scripture. Key Topics Discussed: What was Paul's thorn in the flesh? Biblical references to thorns in the Old Testament How misunderstanding Paul's thorn impacts beliefs about healing The role of spiritual warfare in Paul's ministry Applying lessons from Paul's experience to modern-day faith How to Engage with Orbis: Check out Ken's book, On the Road with the Holy Spirit For more information on the Travel Grant Match to keep Ken's travel down in 2025, send an email to bryan@orbisministries.org Become a monthly partner Are you interested in learning about Holy Spirit-led ministry? Visit Orbis School of Ministry or email our Registrar, Jo McKay, at jo@orbisminstries.org Upcoming Orbis Ministries overseas ministry trips are posted on orbisministries.org under the Train-Join an International Ministry Trip link behind the registration/login portal. Do you want to join Ken's private Facebook discussion group, "God is not a Theory?" Please send a Facebook Direct Message to Bryan Orbis and a friend request to be added to it. If you'd like to receive Ken's monthly prayer letter, please go to orbisministries.org and scroll down to the bottom right for "Prayer Letter Signup."
The apostle Paul experienced physical “weakness” of some kind, because of what he called a “thorn in the flesh.” There are many theories about this thorn:Was Paul possessed by a demon?Was it an annoying person in Paul's life?Was it a physical infirmity Paul suffered?Was it simply persecution in general?We can't know for certain exactly what type of suffering Paul went through in regard to this thorn, but we can rule out demon possession. In this short video clip, I explain why and – just for fun – make one guess at Paul's thorn. No matter what you might believe about the thorn, the lesson to be learned here is one of dependency on Christ in the midst of weakness. That's the big takeaway, and I hope this short video is an encouraging reminder of how protected you are (and how equipped you are for any trial) in Jesus Christ.We hope you enjoyed this episode. Since we're a nonprofit organization, episodes like these are only made possible by friends like you.You can help us continue sharing God's message of grace with the world here: https://andrewfarley.org/donate/Connect with Dr. Andrew Farley here:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAndrewFarleyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/drandrewfarleyTwitter: https://twitter.com/DrAndrewFarleyTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drandrewfarleyWebsite: https://www.andrewfarley.org/
I hope this biblical look at this passage will destroy the lie that God is somehow wanting to keep you from being healed because like Paul, He has given you a thorn in the flesh as well. As we have seen, God did not give Paul a thorn in the flesh, and He is definitely not giving one to you either. What He did provide for you is Grace made evident in His healing power.
Welcome to Passion Daily. Here, our prayer is that you will spend a few minutes focusing on the Scriptures every Monday through Friday, with specific encouragement from our team. —Passion Equip exists to see people around the globe know and draw closer to Jesus. Over 20 years of ministry, we've developed resources on almost every passage in the Bible. Explore our latest resources at https://passionequip.com—Give towards what God is doing through Passion City Church: https://passioncitychurch.com/give—With Passion City Online, you can join us every Sunday live at 9:30a and 11:45a, and our gatherings are available on-demand starting at 2p! Join us at https://passioncitychurch.com—At Passion City Church, we believe that because God has displayed the ultimate sacrifice in Jesus, our response to that in worship must be extravagant. It is our privilege, and our created purpose, to reflect God's Glory to Him through our praise, our sacrifice, and our song.—Follow Passion Equip: https://www.instagram.com/passionequip/Follow Passion Conferences: https://www.instagram.com/passion268Follow Passion City Church: https://www.instagram.com/passioncity/
Wednesday - 09/18/2024 - Dwayne Riner
In this episode, Dr. T. Michael W. Halcomb ( @tmichaelwhalcomb ) interviews Dr. Kenneth Berding. Tune in as they talk about "Paul's 'Thorn in the Flesh,' Spiritual Gifts, Campus Ministry", and more. This is an interview you don't want to miss! ***GlossaHouse resources are available at our website! - https://glossahouse.com/ ✏️ ***Sign up for classes with GlossaHouse U - https://glossahouse.com/pages/classes
Episode 197. What was Paul's Thorn in the Flesh? This week we dive into the RTS mailbag. In 2 Cor. 12 Paul talks about a "revelation" that he received from Jesus: "my grace is sufficient for you." It's a challenging text for a number of reasons, not the least of which is identifying the "thorn" in question. How did Paul's conversation take place? Why three times? Join our discussion!
Bishop Robert Barron’s Sermons - Catholic Preaching and Homilies
Friends, on this Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, our second reading is from Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians. The focus of the reading is “a thorn in the flesh” that was given to Paul “to beat me, to keep me from being too elated.” What was it? We don't know, but whatever it was, it wasn't trivial. We all have something like this—some physical, psychological, or spiritual suffering that's chronic and deeply troubling. Yet this struggle with the thorn in the flesh is very often what brings us back to God.
July 3, 2024 Daily Devotion from Lutheran Hour Ministries