... understand σκόλοψ τῇ σαρκί to be metaphorical, then maybe ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ would be concrete.19 If so, Paul understood his thorn for the flesh to be some type of demonic force in his life. This ever present messenger from Satan that Paul pleaded with the Lord to take away was inflicting pain in Paul's life through many persecutions and hardships, but ... , serve as an antidote for pride and means for nurturing our dependency upon God. "Suffering strips away second-rate sources of happiness, even divinely granted spiritual experience and revelation, driving us...

• Word Count: 3123
• Approx Pages: 12
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School