Originally posted by RJHinds
It does seem that Paul attributes "the thorn in the flesh" to have been given to him by a messenger of Satan or demon. However, I am not convinced that [b]"it" is people.

In verse 8, Paul states the Following:

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

(2 Corinthians 12:8 NKJV)

A person is ...[text shortened]... esh, since he also seems to refer to it as a weakness or infirmity in verse 9.

The Instructor[/b]

In context, Paul was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, whipped, etc., except for the shipwreck, it was people used by Satan to buffet him...
Of course this is my opinion, and I believe the bible supports it, but it is better than some of the lame comments I have heard in the past...

Originally posted by johnnylongwoody
It is only natural for humans to bicker.
It takes something above that to show
grace and humility.

It would be wonderful if we could all come together
and join in harmony instead of strife.

I think the main reason for division is the lack of trust
and the difference of opinion over what religion is correct.

I have often asked myself abo ...[text shortened]... r is that the best of us will eventually find the right answer.

May your God go with you. 🙂

Oh believe me, I believe human nature can do more than just bicker!
We do indeed need more than human nature, without the Spirit of God we
are left with just our human nature.
Kelly

Originally posted by checkbaiter
In context, Paul was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, whipped, etc., except for the shipwreck, it was people used by Satan to buffet him...
Of course this is my opinion, and I believe the bible supports it, but it is better than some of the lame comments I have heard in the past...

I always felt Paul was attacked spiritually, the people attacking him were
a real thing, but I don't think Paul cared about that as much he went into
many places knowing he was going to be beaten and later killed.
Kelly

Originally posted by KellyJay
I always felt Paul was attacked spiritually, the people attacking him were
a real thing, but I don't think Paul cared about that as much he went into
many places knowing he was going to be beaten and later killed.
Kelly

I suppose he will tell us one day...🙂

Originally posted by checkbaiter
I suppose he will tell us one day...🙂

True, I also think it was kept from us so we could infer whatever least we
knew and just thought his prayer only meant X whatever X was.
Kelly

Originally posted by johnnylongwoody
It is only natural for humans to bicker.
It takes something above that to show
grace and humility.

It would be wonderful if we could all come together
and join in harmony instead of strife.

I think the main reason for division is the lack of trust
and the difference of opinion over what religion is correct.

I have often asked myself abo ...[text shortened]... r is that the best of us will eventually find the right answer.

May your God go with you. 🙂

Spent some years traveling the U.S. before settling down and getting married. During this time traveling, i was asked to study other churches. The conclusion i came to was. The churches are like a family with many children. All bickering amoung themselves saying, Dad loves me and not you, or i know Dad and you don't. But the most important thing i found, was that in all the churches, many people loved God, and God loved them all.