1. ABC’s of Understanding Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh 2 Cor. 12:3-9

2. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 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.” 2 Cor. 3:4-9

3. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible When You Find a Difficult Verse:

4. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible When You Find a Difficult Verse: Define Every Word

5. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible When You Find a Difficult Verse: Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say

6. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible When You Find a Difficult Verse: Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Use Your ABC’s

7. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible When You Find a Difficult Verse: Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Use Your ABC’s A = Look at Verses Above

8. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible When You Find a Difficult Verse: Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Use Your ABC’s A = Look at Verses Above B = Look at Verses Below

9. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible When You Find a Difficult Verse: Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Use Your ABC’s A = Look at Verses Above B = Look at Verses Below C = Look at Verses in the Context

10. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible When You Find a Difficult Verse: Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Use Your ABC’s A = Look at Verses Above B = Look at Verses Below C = Look at Verses in the Context D = Doublecheck Other Verses

11. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh

12. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word

13. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 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.” 2 Cor. 3:4-9

14. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Paradise

15. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Paradise Luke 23:43 Rev. 2:7 Verses above

16. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Paradise Luke 23:43 Rev. 2:7 Verses above Thorn in the flesh

17. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Paradise Luke 23:43 Rev. 2:7 Verses above Thorn in the flesh Literal or figurative Examples of figurative usage = Num. 33:55; Josh. 23:55; Jud. 2:3 Num_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. Jos_23:13 know for certain that the LORD your God will no longer drive out these nations from before you. But they shall be snares and traps to you, and scourges on your sides and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land which the LORD your God has given you. Jdg_2:3 Therefore I also said, 'I will not drive them out before you; but they shall be thorns in your side, and their gods shall

18. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say

19. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Paul knew a man

20. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Paul knew a man Man caught up to Paradise, heard things

21. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Paul knew a man Man caught up to Paradise, heard things Paul might have boasted about him

22. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Paul knew a man Man caught up to Paradise, heard things Paul might have boasted about him Paul had abundance of revelation

23. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Paul knew a man Man caught up to Paradise, heard things Paul might have boasted about him Paul had abundance of revelation To keep him from boasting—thorn in flesh

24. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Paul knew a man Man caught up to Paradise, heard things Paul might have boasted about him Paul had abundance of revelation To keep him from boasting—thorn in flesh Thorn = a messenger of Satan, to stop boasting

25. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Paul knew a man Man caught up to Paradise, heard things Paul might have boasted about him Paul had abundance of revelation To keep him from boasting—thorn in flesh Thorn = a messenger of Satan, to stop boasting Paul asked God three time to remove thorn

26. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Paul knew a man Man caught up to Paradise, heard things Paul might have boasted about him Paul had abundance of revelation To keep him from boasting—thorn in flesh Thorn = a messenger of Satan, to stop boasting Paul asked God three time to remove thorn God refused, “My grace is sufficient”

27. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Use Your ABC’s

28. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Use Your ABC’s A = Look at Verses Above B = Look at Verses Below C = Look at Verses in the Context D = Doublecheck Other Verses

29. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Use Your ABC’s False apostles denied Paul’s apostleship 2 Cor. 11:1-13

30. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Use Your ABC’s False apostles denied Paul’s apostleship 2 Cor. 11:1-13 They were deceitful workers; unrighteous ministers

31. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Use Your ABC’s False apostles denied Paul’s apostleship 2 Cor. 11:1-13 They were deceitful workers; unrighteous ministers They boasted in the flesh 11:22-23

32. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Use Your ABC’s False apostles denied Paul’s apostleship 2 Cor. 11:1-13 They were deceitful workers; unrighteous ministers They boasted in the flesh 11:22-23 Paul “boasted” to show he surpassed them 11:17, 24-33

33. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Use Your ABC’s False apostles denied Paul’s apostleship 2 Cor. 11:1-13 They were deceitful workers; unrighteous ministers They boasted in the flesh 11:22-23 Paul “boasted” to show he surpassed them 11:17, 24-33 Such boasting was not profitable 12:1

34. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Use Your ABC’s False apostles denied Paul’s apostleship 2 Cor. 11:1-13 They were deceitful workers; unrighteous ministers They boasted in the flesh 11:22-23 Paul “boasted” to show he surpassed them 11:17, 24-33 Such boasting was not profitable 12:1 Consider abundant visions & revelations which Paul saw

35. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Use Your ABC’s False apostles denied Paul’s apostleship 2 Cor. 11:1-13 They were deceitful workers; unrighteous ministers They boasted in the flesh 11:22-23 Paul “boasted” to show he surpassed them 11:17, 24-33 Such boasting was not profitable 12:1 Consider abundant visions & revelations which Paul saw Thorn kept him from being exalted

36. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Define Every Word Clearly State What Words Say Use Your ABC’s False apostles denied Paul’s apostleship 2 Cor. 11:1-13 They were deceitful workers; unrighteous ministers They boasted in the flesh 11:22-23 Paul “boasted” to show he surpassed them 11:17, 24-33 Such boasting was not profitable 12:1 Consider abundant visions & revelations which Paul saw Thorn kept him from being exalted Thorn = messenger of Satan cf. 12:7 & 11:13-15

37. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Concluding Observations

38. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Concluding Observations Physical afflictions does not bring humility

39. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Concluding Observations Physical afflictions does not bring humility Denial of Paul’s apostleship was widespread

40. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Concluding Observations Physical afflictions does not bring humility Denial of Paul’s apostleship was widespread Could not boast, constant battle over apostleship

41. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Concluding Observations Physical afflictions does not bring humility Denial of Paul’s apostleship was widespread Could not boast, constant battle over apostleship Thorn in his flesh – use in OT = enemies

42. ABC’s to Understanding the Bible Using ABC’s: Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh Concluding Observations Physical afflictions does not bring humility Denial of Paul’s apostleship was widespread Could not boast, constant battle over apostleship Thorn in his flesh – use in OT = enemies God knows best; we should glory in our weakness

43. The “ABC’s” of Salvation Believe in HimJohn 3:16 Repent—decide to obeyActs 17:30 Confess ChristRom. 10:9 Baptized to be savedActs 22:16 Added to His kingdom, His church Be faithful until deathRev. 2:10