Have you ever wondered what the "thorn" in Paul's flesh was? Maybe it was a real thorn? But he pleaded with God three times to take it away from him. It was most assuredly only a metaphor for some plague or weakness he had. Paul called it a "messenger of Satan," that tormented him. But God's answer was, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." This letter is a great gift to us, because we can certainly apply that same response and care in our lives. God's grace is sufficient for us -- no matter what we go through.
Paul wraps up his letter (of which scholars say was his third to the church in Corinth, his first one being lost, otherwise we'd have 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Corinthians) by announcing that he's going to come visit again. He says he fears he may find quarreling, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. He makes a reference to coming and being "grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged." There's another reference elsewhere (1 Corinthians 6:11) where Paul lists off some of the debauchery (male prostitution, homosexual offenders, adulterers, drunkards, thieves, etc), but states that "such were some of you. The key to his points are that repentance took place. Sinners turned from their wicked ways. They submitted to God in repentance and changed. Paul was afraid not that there would be yucky sin, but that the sin would not be repented from. It's actually quite easy to repent. When we do this, God can change us. Apparently He is looking for willing hearts. Those are the ones He can work with, and He can truly give power to these people. Amazing change can take place when this happens.
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at January 16, 2006 09:03 AM