Larry the Lubber

The opinions expressed by Larry the Lubber doth not necessarily reflect the views of this pirate’s crew — mostly because Larry be a pompous, sanctimonious authority on Scripture whose pontifications tend ter offend most everyone — even when he be right. – Staff

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God says to us:

“Remember, Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, that Satan’s servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness.”

Paul rather subtly mentioned that fourteen years before penning his epistle to the Corinthians, a certain individual was elevated to the third heavenly realm. Though he demurs from naming this individual, the context suggests he speaks of none other than himself.

During his first missionary venture to Iconium, Paul suffered a grievous assault, being stoned and left for dead. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that before this harrowing episode, he might have endured another severe beating, a brutal encounter with a wild beast, or some other life-threatening ordeal, leading to a near-death experience.

Whether in the body or out of it, Paul was transported to paradise, where he encountered inexpressible revelations—insights so profound that he was commanded to withhold them from others.

In our time, numerous individuals enthusiastically recount their purported experiences of glimpsing heaven upon returning from the brink of death. However, for Paul, the Lord explicitly enjoined him to remain silent, refraining from divulging a single word.

This could, perhaps, serve as a cautionary lesson for us in this, the Lord’s admonition to Paul.

Let no one take me for a fool. My concern is for all the churches. Who among you is weak, and I do not myself feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I myself do not inwardly burn with sin?

I could boast of the surpassingly great revelations I saw, but instead I will gladly boast in my weakness for you in order that Christ’s power may rest on me. For I do not wish for anyone to think more highly of me than is warranted. Even if I should boast, I would be speaking the truth.

To keep me humble, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, an angel of Satan—a messenger of Satan to torment me.

My brothers, I remind you, I am a Pharisee, descended from Pharisees. I studied under Gamaliel and was thoroughly trained in the law of our ancestors. I know what is written in the Law and the Prophets and I remind you of how in the past others became “thorns in the flesh” to my people.

“Because you have disobeyed me, I will not drive out your enemies before you. They will be thorns in your sides. Their gods will be a snare to you.” (Judges 2:3) Are we not becoming ensnared by the lies of these false apostles?

“Because you allied yourself with the nations around you, they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes.” (Joshua 23:13) Are we not even now blinded by those masquerading as light?

“Because you did not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allowed to remain became barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They gave you trouble.” (Numbers 33:55) Am we not now troubled by those deceitful workmen who preach the gospel for profit?

Paul goes onto explain:

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take away the “thorn in my flesh.” But Christ said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you. My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness for you, in order that Christ’s power may rest on me. For the sake of my Lord, I delight in insults, hardships, persecutions, difficulties, and yes, even in my weakness for all the churches.

Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him for what he has done. With regard to the gospel, he and Hymenaeushave shipwreck their faith. I have handed both over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme. (2 Timothy 4:14, 1 Timothy 1:19-20)

Since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me, on my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others. Chris is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.

If I have made a fool of myself, you drove me to it.
2 Corinthians 11-13, Acts 22:3

Twice, the illustrious Paul is depicted performing acts of healing upon others, a testament to his divine mission. Yet, curiously, only once do we encounter any mention of Paul grappling with an ailment of his own. It is speculated, perhaps with merit, that Paul suffered from poor eyesight—an unfortunate consequence of having one’s head pelted with rocks during a stoning. However, let us be clear: only in the rarest of circumstances, such as blindness, is poor eyesight denoted as an affliction (Galatians 4:15, Galatians 6:11). Thus, we find ourselves pondering the true nature of Paul’s so-called infirmities.

God was performing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul, so that handkerchiefs or aprons were even carried from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out. (Acts 19:11-12)

“You know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself.” (Galatians 4:13)

And it happened that the father of Publius was lying in bed afflicted with recurrent fever and dysentery; and Paul went in to see him and after he had prayed, he laid his hands on him and healed him. After this had happened, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases were coming to him and getting cured. (Acts 28:8)

Should it be the case that Paul indeed endured physical suffering, let us embark upon a thorough examination of the matter. We shall scrutinize the cause, the symptoms, the nature of his condition, and the ultimate outcome of his so-called affliction.

Cause: “To keep me from becoming exalted by God due to the revelations received.”
Symptoms: “weakness, insults, hardships, persecutions, difficulties”
Condition: “torment”
Outcome: “delight, weakness”

Judge for yourself whether you can identify a physical ailment wrought by a prideful and vain disposition—one that engenders significant tribulations, persecutions, hardships, insults, and weaknesses, leaving one feeling tormented yet inexplicably delighted. Does this describe your malady? If not, might it be prudent to consider that when Paul spoke of a “thorn in my flesh,” he was alluding to the relentless presence of those who mock and scorn us? In Christ, we possess sufficient grace to disregard their jabs without retaliating. Instead, let us offer prayers for those who afflict us.

Use of the Word Angel in the New Testament

Only in 2 Corinthians 12:7 “a messenger of Satan” is ἄγγελος (angelos) translated “messenger.” In all other cases the word is translated as angel. Never in Scripture is ἄγγελος used to reference a physical affliction.

Matthew 1:20
Matthew 1:24
Matthew 2:13
Matthew 2:19
Matthew 28:2
Matthew 28:5
Luke 1:11
Luke 1:13
Luke 1:19
Luke 1:26
Luke 1:30
Luke 1:35
Luke 1:38
Luke 2:9
Luke 2:10
Luke 22:43
John 5:4
John 12:29
Acts 5:19
Acts 7:30
Acts 8:26
Acts 10:7
Acts 12:7
Acts 12:8
Acts 12:10
Acts 12:15
Acts 12:23
Acts 23:9
Acts 27:23
(Only in 2 Corinthians 12:7 is this word translated “messenger”)
GRK: τῇ σαρκί ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ ἵνα
NAS: in the flesh, a messenger of Satan
KJV: in the flesh, the messenger of Satan
INT: for the flesh a messenger of Satan that
Galatians 1:8
Galatians 4:14
Revelation 8:3
Revelation 8:5
Revelation 8:8
Revelation 8:10
Revelation 8:12
Revelation 9:1
Revelation 9:13
Revelation 10:5
Revelation 11:15
Revelation 14:8
Revelation 14:9
Revelation 14:15
Revelation 14:17
Revelation 14:18
Revelation 14:19
Revelation 17:7
Revelation 18:21