# General Information:
This verse reveals that Paul was speaking about himself beginning in [2 Corinthians 12:2](../12/02.md).

# Connecting Statement:

As Paul defends his apostleship, he tells of the weakness that God gave him to keep him humble.

# because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations

"because those revelations were so much greater than anything anyone else had ever seen"

# a thorn in the flesh was given to me

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God gave me a thorn in the flesh" or "God allowed me to have a thorn in the flesh" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive]])

# a thorn in the flesh

Here Paul's physical problems are compared to a thorn piercing his flesh. Alternate translation: "an affliction" or "a physical problem" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# a messenger from Satan

"a servant of Satan"