Question: In my pastor’s sermon yesterday on 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 he suggested that Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” may have been poor eyesight, I have never heard that, what are your thoughts on it?
Answer: Scripture does not tell us what the “thorn” was but throughout church history hundreds of commentators have speculated on what it could have been, but no agreement has been reached. However, there are a few statements that Paul made that point to the possibility that it was his eyesight. In Galatians Paul states, “You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first, and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God… (Paul goes on to say) if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me” (Galatians 4:13-15). Since Paul was showing appreciation for them, to mention that they would have given their eyes to him could point to him having bad eye sight.
Another piece of evidence that bad eyesight could be his thorn is recorded at the end of Galatians when he states, “See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand” (Galatians 6:11). A person with bad eye sight would likely have to write in large letters.
An additional bit of evidence is presented in 2 Corinthians 10. Paul defends himself against those who are attacking his ministry. The attackers state “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak…” (2 Corinthians 10:10). I understand there is a disease of the eyes called chronic conjunctivitis that would impact a person’s physical appearance. Perhaps his critics were referring to his eye disease which could make his physical appearance “weak.”
Even though Paul had a gift of healing, he apparently could not or would not heal himself because he knew the thorn was from God to keep him humble and he also knew that God’s grace was sufficient for him to accomplish what God had called him to do. Paul was content no matter how out of control the circumstances seemed to be at times. He knew well the one who was in control and that made him a content person regardless of what his thorn was.
One final thought which does nothing to support that bad eye sight might have been Paul’s thorn in the flesh, but there could be a bit of irony in his conversion experience if bad eyes were his thorn. On the road to Damascus Paul was knocked off of his horse and Jesus talked to him and made him totally blind for three days during this encounter. The encounter is no evidence for bad eyes but the connection seems interesting.