# Connecting Statement:

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

# General Information:

When Paul speaks of his "thorn in the flesh," he reveals that he is the "man" he spoke of in [2 Corinthians 12:2-5](./01.md).

# heard from me. I will also keep from boasting because of the extraordinary kind of those revelations. Therefore, so I would not be puffed up with pride, a thorn

Another possible meaning is "heard from me. Therefore, so I would not be puffed up with pride because of the extraordinary kind of those revelations, a thorn."

# will think more of me than what is seen

"gives me more credit than what is seen"

# because of the extraordinary kind of those revelations

"because those revelations were so different from anything anyone else had ever seen"

# Therefore, so I would not be puffed up with pride

"To keep me from being full of pride"

# puffed up

filled with air and so larger than is normal

# a thorn in the flesh was given to me

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

# a thorn in the flesh

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

# messenger from Satan

"servant of Satan"

# to harass me

"to torment me"

# translationWords

* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/boast]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/foolish]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/true]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/reveal]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/proud]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/flesh]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/messenger]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/satan]]