# Is “A thorn in the flesh” in the Bible?

> Yes. “A thorn in the flesh” is in the Bible, at 2 Corinthians 12:7.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/a-thorn-in-the-flesh
By Andrew Kittridge · November 9, 2026

Paul says it about himself, writing to the church in Corinth.

## The verse

> or because of how extraordinary the revelations were. For this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan to pummel me, to keep me from exalting myself.
>
> — [2 Corinthians 12:7](https://www.lumin.faith/read/2-corinthians/12#7) (Lumin Translation)

These exact words are in the Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible.

## What it means there

Paul never says what the thorn was. He asked the Lord three times to take it away and was told that grace was enough for him (2 Corinthians 12:8-9). Today it means a lasting annoyance.

## Common questions

### Is “A thorn in the flesh” in the Bible?

Yes. “A thorn in the flesh” is in the Bible, at 2 Corinthians 12:7. These exact words are in the Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible. Paul says it about himself, writing to the church in Corinth.

### Where in the Bible is “A thorn in the flesh”?

In 2 Corinthians 12:7. In the Lumin Translation, 2 Corinthians 12:7 reads: “or because of how extraordinary the revelations were. For this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan to pummel me, to keep me from exalting myself.”

### Who said “A thorn in the flesh”?

Paul says it about himself, writing to the church in Corinth.

### What does “A thorn in the flesh” mean in the Bible?

Paul never says what the thorn was. He asked the Lord three times to take it away and was told that grace was enough for him (2 Corinthians 12:8-9). Today it means a lasting annoyance.

## More

- [Is “The wages of sin is death” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/the-wages-of-sin-is-death.md)
- [Where is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/i-can-do-all-things-through-christ-who-strengthens-me.md)
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- [Where is “Unless the Lord builds the house” in the Bible?](https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/unless-the-lord-builds-the-house.md)
- [Check any word or a whole song](https://www.lumin.faith/bible-verse-checker)