Was the Apostle Paul effective as a public speaker or not? Was Paul's facility in rhetoric strong or weak? New Testament scholars disagree on how to answer this question. Here is a possible solution that I recently proposed in my book, Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh: New Clues for an Old Problem (pp. 135-137): The … Continue reading Was the Apostle Paul a Good Speaker?
Tag: 2 Corinthians 12:7
Profound Skepticism: Has Modern Scholarship Impeded the Study of Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh?
The topic of Paul’s thorn in the flesh (2 Cor 12:7) is, on the one hand, like a puzzle to be solved—what could have caused Paul such agony?—and, on the other hand, the source of a powerful spiritual lesson—“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). Perhaps … Continue reading Profound Skepticism: Has Modern Scholarship Impeded the Study of Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh?
What was Paul’s “Thorn in the Flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7)?
Paul’s thorn in the flesh was some sort of unusual, long-term, intermittent, stabbing, face pain that was viewed by others as shameful and the result of black magic attacks, but by Paul as attacks of a demon permitted by God. This is the conclusion of my newly-released book focused on answering one of the most … Continue reading What was Paul’s “Thorn in the Flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7)?
Strength in Weakness: When God Showed Up in my Classroom
Have you ever been present when God’s manifest presence breaks into a prayer time, a sermon, a worship service, or a Bible study? This happened quite unexpectedly one morning during a summer class I was teaching—yes, in a college classroom. I was discussing Paul’s thorn in the flesh (2 Cor 12:7-8). What was it, anyway? … Continue reading Strength in Weakness: When God Showed Up in my Classroom
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