There are perhaps few passages within the Pauline Corpus1 that have so much ambiguity involved as that of 2 Cor 12:7. Questions arise from Paul's metaphorical use of "skovkoloy th/: sarkiv." There are questions about the dative use of th/: sarkiv. Theories abound as to what the thorn is2. These vary from eyesight3 to malaria, from sexual temptation4 to human enemies5 or even a satanic enemy6. How was this thorn received? Was it given to Paul by God shown by the use of the divine passive =edovqh or was it placed on him by Satan, shown by the use of a[ggeloV Sata:n? What significance, if any, does the 14 years previous have to do with the thorn? And was it meant to be a thorn or a stake in the first place? These questions and more cause the identity of the thorn to be unattainable7 at best. Therefore this writer finds it wasteful and in vain to try to nail down with any certainty what the skovkoloy th/: sarkiv is when perhaps the Corinthians themselves did not know.8 It would also be wasteful to just give another survey of the various theories of what this phrase refers to over the centuries. Instead, it is proposed that Paul's purpose was never to identify what his thorn was, but rather to remain humble by boasting in his weaknesses and to relate with his audience in their own weaknesses, further showing that the Lord's grace and power is sufficient for both them, Paul, and even us. This argument will consider what is seen to be the emphasis of the Greek text by removing as much ambiguity as possible. Then the overall context of 2 Corinthians will further support Paul's need to defend his apostleship by conceding weakness and accepting the Lord's grace. Finally, theological and relative application will be made from Paul's thorn discussion. .
Considerations from the Greek Text.
διὸ ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι, ἐδόθη μοι σκόλοψ τῇ σαρκί, ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ,.
- Mark 7:24-30 (NRSV) Outline: Exegesis of The Syrophoenician Woman's Faith I. Introduction and scope II. ... All facts used in this exegesis are researched and not merely fabricated, but not completely expounded on due to lack of space. ... II. ... "Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs- (Mark 7:27). ...
Studies in Exegesis attempts to interpret and explain debates that were argued between 70 C.E. and 300 C.E. and have been debated ever since. ... In each section of Studies in Exegesis, he gives the reader the argument, provides the sides of the argument in the form of each Gospel where the argument is presented, and finally provides a commentary on each. ... The points that Basser brings forth simply make sense with consideration to his exegesis of the material he provides. ... An example of one of Basser's arguments concerns the three separate yet similar stories when Jesus cured a m...
Today there is no dispute that Paul is the author of I Corinthians. ... Paul had many points that he wanted to get across in I Corinthians. ... Also, to counter worldly wisdom with Spiritual wisdom, and to answer questions that Corinthians had brought to Paul. (7:1,25 8:1) Furthermore, he wanted to deal with the several moral problems and the divisions that had formed as people had divided into fan-clubs and were proclaiming themselves followers of Paul, Apollo, Peter or Christ. During this time the Corinthian church had many problems. ... I Corinthians points out to me what I should do, an...
The First Missionary Journeys of Paul I. Directed by the Holy Spirit Paul and Barnabas traveled from their home base in Antioch, Syria to Seleucia, Cyprus and Pathos. A. In Pathos they found Bar Jesus (Elymas), a Jewish false prophet who claimed to be sorcerer and attempted to discredit their teach...
This section of 1 Corinthians 15 is a discourse on the resurrection of the dead. ... He then goes on to make it clear that resurrection is the claim of the Gospel 15:12-28. ... In verses 12-19 there is an emphasis on the fact that future resurrection of the dead is a consequence of Christ being raise. ... A comparison of the view of death and after life in 1 Corinthians, to Jewish materials there is some similarity. ... The next explicit reference to resurrection is made in Daniel 12. ...
Shakespeare, William (ca. 1595) (Richard II) - King Richard II - The New Cambridge Shakespeare, 3.2.76., cf. ... ibid.: 3.2.172 7. ... In contrast to that, Bullingbrook has an almost "merit-based" concept of the issue, he never evokes divine support but relies solely on the "shrewd steel"11 and the "advantage of my power"12 to help him ascend the throne. ... Shakespeare, William (ca. 1595) (Richard II) - King Richard II - The New Cambridge Shakespeare, 3.2.57, cf. ... ibid.: 3.2.59 12. ...
It has come to a general consensus among scholars that 1 Corinthians was written by the important Christian missionary Paul sometime in the decade of 50 A.D. ... He wrote these letters to express his belief towards the immorality of the Corinthian church, which he felt was deprived of guidance for many years. ... Coincidentally, there were teachers at the time of the Corinthian church that were claiming that there would not be any resurrection. ... But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is al...
Paul wrote I Corinthians because he received a report from Cloe's people. ... The Corinthians had also written a letter to Paul asking for advice. ... The second letter of Corinthians is different than most of Paul's other letters. ... This could be because of the fact that II Corinthians was formed from letter fragments. II Corinthians is also the first letter that he begins to think about his death. ...
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 7:6-9 that if one's gift from God is being able to remain unmarried, then he should be unmarried. But when he cannot contain himself, he should get married, and the Church should follow 1 Corinthians 7:2 and let him marry. ... If one is married, then he is also concerned with the things of this world for his wife according to 1 Corinthians 7:32-35. ... In fact, the rock on which the Catholic Church was built upon, Peter, was himself married (Matthew 8:14, Mark 1:30, Luke 4:38, 1 Corinthians 9:5). In fact, 1 Corinthians 9:5 specifically speaks of many leader...
