Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Corinthians 12:7

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 .

The best of Gods People have in them a root of Pride, or a disposition to be exalted above measure, upon their receit of favours from God not common to others (of which nature extraordinary Revelations are none of the meanest, especially, when they are multiplyed, and as it seems they were here to Paul)

To prevent the breaking out of which, the Apostle here tells us, that he had a thorn in the flesh given him. It is variously guessed what this was; He calleth it a thorn in the flesh; but whether (supposing flesh to be here strictly tken) he meaneth some Disease affecting his Body with pain and smart; and if so, what that specifical Disease was, is no where revealed, and very incertainly conjectured: Or whether (taking flesh in a large sense for his state in the flesh) he meaneth some motions to sin made to him from the Devil; the importunity of which, made them very grievous and afflictive to him, being in the flesh: Or (as others think) motions to sin from his own Lusts; which God suffered to stir in him, withholding such influence of his Grace, by which he ordinarily kept them under, and in subjection; is very uncertain. The last mentioned seem to be least probable. For although

the Devil hath an influence upon our Lusts, to excite and educe them into acts, yet it seems not according to the language of holy Wri[illegible: 1 letter], to call these Messengers of Satan; neither is it probable, that St Paul would have reckoned these amongst the gifts of God unto him: Nor was this a[illegible: 1 letter] infirmity which he would have gloried in, or which would have commended him; nor doth the term buffet so well agree to this sense. It seems therefore more properly to be interpreted, either of some great bodily affliction, or some diabolical importunate temptation, with which God after these abundant Revelations, suffered this great Apostle to be infested; that he might be kept humble, and not lifted up upon this great favour which God had shewed him; which, considering the danger of Pride, might well be reckoned amongst the gifts of God to this great Apostle. And so he here gives another reason why he would not glory in the abundance of his Revelations, because God by this Providence had let him know, that his will was, that he should walk humbly notwithstanding them: And it had been very improper for him, being immediately upon this favour humbled by such a Providence, to have lifted up himself by reason of it.

Marginal references: See Ezech. 28.24.