The Dialectical Thorn in St. Paul’s Side

The Apostle Paul, Rembrandt

A dialectic is a philosophical method in which a thesis, when conjoined with an antithesis, produces a synthesis; two contradictory concepts can instruct each other and together form a new concept. There appears to be two of these in the fascinating story of St. Paul’s thorn in his side, a God-given ailment meant to humble the apostle.

St. Paul shares with the Corinthian church the story of having been “caught up to the third heaven” fourteen years earlier, where he “heard ineffable things which no one may utter” (2 Cor. 12:1-4). He admits that he deserves to feel proud of this privilege, but was given a painful thorn as a result in order to prevent him from the sin of pride.

Although if I should wish to boast, I would not be foolish, for I would be telling the truth. But I refrain, so that no one may think more of me than what he sees in me or hears from me because of the abundance of the revelations. Therefore, that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me (2 Corinthians 12:6-9).

Paul chose not to disclose what the thorn specifically was. Based on his vague description it is generally understood to have been a serious physical ailment. But there are a wide range of possibilities including that it refers to a person, a nemesis that harasses Paul. It could also be a persistent temptation, though not an attachment to sin (see 2 Cor. 13:5-6).

The first dialectic we notice is that Paul implies that God gave him the thorn even though it is caused by a demon sent by Satan. This is an example of God’s providence expressed in His permissive will, just like when Satan entered Judas whose subsequent betrayal of Jesus led to Satan’s own defeat (Luke 22:3). God uses Satan and his demons to shame and defeat Satan and his demons. The resolution of the dialectic is that Paul retains his humility as a result of Satan’s thorn.

In vs. 10 Paul generalizes the thorn to include a variety of afflictions that a missionary of Christ might experience:

Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ.

The word “content” is usually translated “well-pleased” and expresses the second dialectic: Paul is given a privileged experience of heaven and it’s secrets, but to avoid being prideful he is also given a painful affliction, which forces him to rely on the power of God to accomplish His purposes. For this Paul is “well-pleased”. He stated it also in verse 9:

…but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.

The resolution of this dialectic is that God’s power is made “perfect”, and Paul rejoices in this paradox:

…for when I am weak, then I am strong (vs. 10).

…rjt

5 Scriptural Guides for Attaining Wisdom

Wisdom comes in handy when you have kids or grandkids who pepper you with tough questions about life. In more serious situations, wise judgements would have dramatic consequences in a families life. King Solomon had asked God for wisdom above everything else:

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Meditating on God’s Providence in Unsettling Times

Through His prophets, God would often remind Israel that He not only has foreknowledge of all things but determines them:

To whom would you liken me as an equal, compare me, as though we were alike? ...I am God, there is none like me. At the beginning I declare the outcome; from of old, things not yet done. I say that my plan shall stand, I accomplish my every desire (Is. 46:5;9-10).

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Being ‘Fruitful and Multiplying’?

God commanded Adam that he multiply and demographically “subdue the earth” (Gen. 1:28; He repeated the order to Noah after the flood, Gen. 9:7). It’s certainly happening today, but not by Catholics. The following is amazing to watch. It’s only a few minutes long. It starts in 1946 when Catholics ruled the roost. Keep your eye on ‘Islam Sunni’ and notice the trend that began in the late 1980s. Then see what happens after 2000:

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An Era of Confrontations and Strife

Joe Biden plans to unite the country and heal the nation. But under one condition, as long as the 70 million plus who voted for Trump prostrate themselves to the radical left, whose accumulation of power in the democratic party suggests that during the Biden administration the divide will only deepen. A look at recent history reveals that this is inevitable.

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Praying the ‘Our Father’ to Resist Pride

Human pride is something God detests:

Every proud heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured that none will go unpunished (Proverbs 16:5).

But pride is sought after in our society and respected. It forms the basis of advertising, the pursuit of money, advanced degrees, physical perfection, etc. Since humans are so inclined toward it, scripture abounds in warnings to resist it. Jesus warned,

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St. Augustine’s Sleep Disorder

“Give what You command, and command what You will.”

Towards the end of the autobiography of his conversion, The Confessions, Augustine had come to terms with his past life, which had been devoted to earthly pleasures and in particular, sexual immorality. There was just one more consequence of his dissolute past that he still needed to put behind him; it pertained to his sleep:

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Six Schemes of Satan to Guard Against According to St. Paul

“…so that we might not be taken advantage of by Satan, for we are not unaware of his purposes” (2 Corinthians 2:11).

The word for “purposes” comes from the Greek noema and is usually rendered “device”, “scheme”, or “purpose”. According to St. Paul these “schemes” are well-known. Digging into Paul’s epistles we can uncover six, as well as the strategy he offers for dealing with them.

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Six Scriptures on the Fear of God

Theologian Brian Harrison, O.S. compared the calendars of scripture readings between the traditional Latin mass and the mass of Pope Paul VI, concluding that they are essentially the same. He added, however, that the true disparity between the two forms comes from the pulpit: Continue reading “Six Scriptures on the Fear of God”