The Messenger of Satan

2 Corinthians 12:7 — “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure”.

This [verse] is read to suggest that Satan brings problems into our lives. [Since] “Messenger” being the same original word as “angel”, it is argued that Satan uses a sinful angel to do this.

1.) The work of this messenger of Satan resulted in Paul developing the spiritual characteristic of humility. The Satan stopped Paul from being proud. [However,] pride is produced by the devil—1 Timothy 3:6-7. So we have the situation where Satan stops the work of Satan. Again, this does not make sense under the traditional interpretation of Satan. Mark 7:20-23 says that pride is a result of our evil heart. Thus the trial brought [upon] Paul by a person acting as a satan [Heb. adversary] to him stopped his evil desires—another use of the word “satan”—from leading him into the sin of pride.

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Author: Duncan Heaster

Keywords: Adversary, Evil one, devil, thorn in the flesh, Paul's thorn in the flesh, messenger of Satan, Satan buffeting, Satan thorn, Satan thorn in flesh, Paul's infirmity

Bible reference(s): 2 Corinthians 12:7

Source: “The Real Devil A Biblical Exploration.”

Page indexed by: inWORD Bible Software.