2 Corinthians 12:7-10:10

Paul's Visions and His Thorn

⁷ And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a _g thorn in the flesh was given to me, _h a messenger of Satan to ₁ buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. ⁸ _i Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. ⁹ And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly _j I will rather boast in my infirmities, _k that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ¹⁰ Therefore _l I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. _m For when I am weak, then I am strong.

1. Cross References
   Numbers 33:55
   But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell.
   Ezekiel 28:24
   "And there shall no longer be a pricking brier or a painful thorn for the house of Israel from among all who are around them, who despise them. Then they shall know that I am the Lord GOD."
   Hosea 2:6
   Therefore, behold, I will hedge up your way with thorns, And wall her in, So that she cannot find her paths.
   Galatians 4:13
   You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first.
   Galatians 4:14
   And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
   
2. Cross References
   Job 2:7
   So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.
   Matthew 4:10
   Then Jesus said to him, "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'
   Luke 13:16
   "So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound - think of it - for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?"
   1 Corinthians 5:5
   Deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
   
3. Cross References
   Deuteronomy 3:23
   Then I pleaded with the LORD at that time, saying:
   Matthew 26:44
   So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
   
4. Cross References
   2 Corinthians 11:30
   If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.
   
5. Cross References
   1 Peter 4:14
   If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
   
6. Cross References
   Romans 5:3
   And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance.
   Romans 8:35
   Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
   
7. Cross References
   2 Corinthians 13:4
   For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.