THE TRUTH ABOUT PAUL'S THORN

Many people use “Paul’s Thorn” to use against healing. Let's see what the Bible says about it:

 

2 Corinthians 12:7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

*The Bible tells us exactly what Paul’s Thorn was. It was a messenger of Satan, not a sickness.

 

In “Christ the Healer” by F. F. Bosworth, he states, “The expression thorn in the flesh is not once used in either the Old or New Testament EXCEPT as an illustration. The figure of the thorn in the flesh is not in one single instance used in the Bible as a figure of sickness. Every time, the expression was used in the entire Bible, it is specifically stated what the thorn in the flesh was.” Bosworth continues by pointing this out in Numbers 33:55 and Joshua 23:13, as well.

Numbers 33:55 (KJV) But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which yet let remain of them shall be PRICKS IN YOUR EYES, and THORNS IN YOUR sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.

Bosworth points out: “The pricks in the eyes” and “thorns in the sides” of the Israelites were inhabitants of Canaan, not eye trouble or sickness. God was only using an illustration. Again, in Joshua 23:13, the Lord says of the Canaanites, “they shall be… scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes”. Again, the scourges in their eyes and thorns in their sides are the Canaanites.

 

Looking back at 2nd Corinthians 12:7, Paul specifically says that his thorn was a messenger of Satan, sent to buffet him. Bosworth concludes this portion of his sermon on Paul’s Thorn by saying, “Since Paul specifically says that his “thorn”was a messenger of Satan, sent to buffet him and make trouble for him wherever he went, why should we say it was something else?”

For the rest of Bosworth's sermon, read the 14th chapter of Christ the Healer (this book can be found on amazon). Jesus healed me when I read this book. For more on healing, check out the follow videos on my YouTube: MY HEALING TESTIMONY, JESUS HEALS, & JESUS STILL HEALS EVERY SICKNESS & EVERY DISEASE. My YouTube channel is "Rachel Marie Ministries", or click the above tab "My YouTube". Most importantly, if you need healing, read through the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John in the Bible). All through the Gospels, Jesus was moved with compassion for the sick & He healed them. Hebrews 13:8 tells us that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. God revealed His will through the life of Jesus, so the best way to find out God's will is to read what Jesus did in His life on earth! He made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposes in Christ (Ephesians 1:9).

Who Are You Believing: God or Religious Ideas?

Many people today have been deceived by "religious ideas" straight from the devil. I always want to encourage EVERYONE to be sure that all the things they have been taught actually lines up with what the Word of God (the Bible) actually says. Don't take my word for it or anyone else's. You will not be deceived if you know what the Word says. Sadly, these religious ideas have kept many back from living the life God wants them to live. There are many things the devil has robbed Christians of, in disguise, but for now, let's focus on the subject of Healing.

There is a widespread rumor these days that sickness is the will of God, that he is the author of disease, that sickness in His servants bring Him glory. FALSE.

One reason many people believe this lie from the devil is because of Paul's Thorn, which has been falsely interpreted for quite some time now. So, let's look at what the Word of God says about Paul's Thorn. The Bible tells us exactly what Paul's Thorn was. It was a messenger of Satan, not a sickness. Turn in your Bibles, if you will, to 2 Corinthians 12:7, to see for yourself.

"or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, A MESSENGER OF SATAN, to torment me."

- 2 Corinthians 12:7 (NIV)

I am going to quote F. F. Bosworth, author of Christ the Healer, for a minute on this topic:

“ The expression ‘thorn in the flesh’ is not once used in either the Old or New Testament EXCEPT as an illustration. The figure of the thorn in the flesh is not in one single instance used in the Bible as a figure of sickness. Every time, the expression was used in the entire Bible, it is specifically stated what the thorn in the flesh was.”

Numbers 33:55 (The "thorns in their sides" are the inhabitants of Canaan). In Numbers ch. 33, the Lord says to Moses, verse 55: “But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them shall be PRICKS IN YOUR EYES, and THORNS IN YOUR SIDES, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.” (KJV)


The “pricks in the eyes” and “thorns in the sides” of the Israelites were inhabitants of Canaan, not eye trouble or sickness. God was only using an illustration.

Again, in Joshua 23:13, the Lord says of the Canaanites, “they shall be… scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes”. Again, the scourges in their eyes and thorns in their sides are the Canaanites.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, looking back at 2 Cor. 12:7, Paul specifically says that his thorn was a messenger of Satan, sent to buffet him. 

Bosworth continues by saying, “Since Paul distinctly states that his “thorn” was the angel of Satan sent to buffet him and make trouble for him wherever he went, why should we say it was something else?”
- End Quote from F. F. Bosworth's "CHRIST THE HEALER"

Another tradition of men on this topic is the myth that "the age of miracles is past" and that Jesus only healed people to reveal who He was. That's NOT what the Scriptures say. Read through the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John). The Bible says that Jesus was MOVED WITH COMPASSION FOR THE SICK and He healed them! Dig into His Word and see :)

"how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him."

Acts 10:38 (NIV)

Sickness is from the devil. This verse tells us that Jesus healed ALL who were under the power of the devil. Let me tell you the best part: 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever

- Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)

I the LORD do not change.

Malachi 3: 6 (NIV)

Jesus has not changed! He changes not! He is the same today as He was when He walked the other. Through the Holy Spirit, we are to be doing the SAME and GREATER WORKS as Jesus did. See John 14:12:

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

- Jesus in John 14:12 (NIV)

This was not just for the Apostles! Jesus said WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM will do the works He did and even GREATER THINGS! 

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

1 John 2:6 (NIV)

Whoever claims to live in Jesus must live as He did! What did Jesus do? He preached, taught, healed the sick, cast out evil spirits.


Jesus also told us what signs follow us who believe in Him in Mark 16:17-18.

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe:  In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;....they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.

- Mark 16:15-18 (NIV)

There are many other verses and Scriptures that show God's Will to Heal. Jesus was the will of God. Everything He did was what GOD wanted Him to do. The best things I can encourage you to do is to dive deep into the Bible and find out for yourself. I also recommend the book, "CHRIST THE HEALER" by F. F. Bosworth. This book that is based on Scripture has helped many to be healed, once they are enlighted to the truth in God's Word concerning healing.  I was one of them! PRAISE THE LORD! GLORY BE TO GOD! ALL THE GLORY GOES TO GOD, my healer!

"As in the Gospels, so in the Acts, we never read of anyone asking for healing and being denied."
- CHRIST THE HEALER by F. F. Bosworth


Stay tuned to my blog and my other social media pages to learn more about our loving, compassionate, amazing God. He desires to heal the body as well as the soul.

Also, if you need healing, let me know. You can send me an e-mail at: RachelMarieMinistries@yahoo.com and let me know you want the Healing Scriptures.

God's Mercy Abounds,

Rachel Marie