Why was Paul not healed of the “Thorn in his flesh”?
Why do bad things happen to believers?
A better/higher view of God is required to hint at the answers to the above.
BereanBrain Paul’s thorn in the flesh was not sickness it was “The messenger of Satan” a evil spirit. And bad things happens to believers because we live in a fallen world. Thanks!
Paul being a Hebrew, who was well studied in the writings that make up our Old Testament, would have understood a thorn in the side, or flesh, as being descriptive of evil people. He was constantly badgered by and plagued with the Judaizers spreading false doctrines, and zealous Jews seeking to do him harm. Judaizers tried to convince the people of the Church to come back under the Law, and return to the keeping of it, and also all of the Jewish traditions, in order to gain salvation. They were a real headache to him. It can be understood that they were likely Paul's greatest obstacle in his efforts at trying to help the members of the Church to understand what the grace of God meant, and how to remain in the teachings of The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Also, as Paul had persecuted the Church before he became a believer, so did many Jews constantly persecute him in many ways. They caused him many problems and were vexing "thorns in his flesh".
Numbers 33:55 But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you; then it shall come to pass, that those which ye let remain of them [shall be] pricks in your eyes, and thorns in your sides, and shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.
Ezekiel 2:6 And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns [be] with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they [be] a rebellious house.
Ezekiel 28:24 And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor [any] grieving thorn of all [that are] round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD.