Paul was “…caught up into Paradise and heard 1INEXPRESSIBLE WORDS, which it is not lawful for a man to utter…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, IN CASE I BE EXALTED ABOVE MEASURE. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather BOAST IN MY INFIRMITIES, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corin. 12:4, 7-9) 1arrétos: unspeakable (because of its sacredness).
Paul is remembering his encounter in heaven when he heard very scared things that he is not permitted to speak of, to keep him from being exalted (becoming lofty) about this visionary experience Paul states that he was allowed to be tormented by the devil to keep him where he needed to be. Then Paul says he sought the Lord three times to remove this “thorn in the flesh” but the Lord stated that His grace was sufficient (adequate). Jesus told Paul that He would make HIS STRENGTH PERFECT so he could endure.
WE MAY HAVE TO ENDURE SUFFERING SO CHRIST’S POWER MAY REST UPON US…
-Bill Stockham