Why did God allow a messenger of Satan to buffet Paul?
God allowed a messenger of Satan to buffet Paul to keep him from exalting himself, a purpose Paul states twice in the same verse (2 Corinthians 12:7). Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations Paul had received, and because he had a natural tendency toward self-righteousness that he had exploited to the full as an unbelieving Pharisee, God knew that when He poured the power of His Word through Paul there would be a very great danger that Paul would be tempted to magnify his own importance. So He allowed what was apparently a high-ranking demon, a thorn in the flesh, to inflict bodily pain, keeping Paul weak and dependent on grace.
Source: The Basics The Basics, Unit 4, Lesson 4-5 - Empowering—The Spirit (Review q1) · Read this lesson in the book →
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See also
- What was Paul’s reaction to God’s answer?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 4–5: Empowering—The Spirit
- What was Paul’s secret to contentment?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 4–5: Empowering—The Spirit
- What does Paul mean in 2 Corinthians 4:7 when he says “we have this treasure in earthen vessels”? What are the vessels? What is the treasure?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 4–5: Empowering—The Spirit
- What Old Testament story might Paul have had in mind when he wrote this verse (2 Corinthians 4:7)? Tell the story.Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 4–5: Empowering—The Spirit
- Why does God allow suffering in the lives of Christians?Same lesson · The Basics · Lesson 4–5: Empowering—The Spirit
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