Topical Bible: Paul: Sickness of, in Asia

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The Apostle Paul, a central figure in the early Christian church, experienced various trials and tribulations during his missionary journeys, including episodes of illness. One notable instance of Paul's sickness occurred during his time in Asia, as referenced in his epistles.

In 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 , Paul writes to the church in Corinth about the severe hardships he faced in Asia: "We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the hardships we encountered in the province of Asia. We were under a burden far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, we felt we were under the sentence of death, in order that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God, who raises the dead."

This passage indicates that Paul's affliction was so intense that it led him to despair of life itself. The nature of this affliction is not explicitly detailed, but it is clear that it was a significant trial that tested his faith and reliance on God. The experience served to deepen Paul's trust in God's power and deliverance, emphasizing the theme of divine strength in human weakness.

Further insight into Paul's physical ailments can be gleaned from Galatians 4:13-14 , where he reminds the Galatians of his condition when he first preached the gospel to them: "You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. And although my illness was a trial to you, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus Himself."

This passage suggests that Paul's illness was not only a personal trial but also a potential hindrance to his ministry. However, the Galatians' acceptance of Paul despite his condition highlights the power of the gospel message and the work of the Holy Spirit in overcoming physical limitations.

The exact nature of Paul's sickness in Asia remains a topic of speculation among scholars and theologians. Some suggest it may have been a chronic condition, possibly related to his "thorn in the flesh" mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 : "To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.'"

This "thorn" is often interpreted as a physical ailment, though its precise nature is not specified. Regardless, it served as a reminder of Paul's dependence on God's grace and strength.

Paul's experiences of sickness and suffering in Asia, as well as throughout his ministry, underscore the reality of human frailty and the necessity of divine reliance. His writings reflect a profound understanding of suffering as a means of spiritual growth and a testament to God's sustaining power.

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2 Corinthians 1:8-11
For we would not, brothers, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life:
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Library

The Best Light for Studying a Thorn.
... Paul had some of his own. ... been forbidden of the Holy Spirit to speak the word in
(the province of) Asia," coupled with the fact of sickness being allowed ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on prayer/the best light for studying.htm

The Supremacy of Christ
... a circular letter written for the edification of the churches of Asia Minor and ... As
soon as he had recovered from his sickness Paul sent him back to Philippi (2 ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study ix the supremacy of.htm

The Epistle to the Galatians
... 4 we learn that representatives from Asia also accompanied ... This may mean that Paul,
traveling through Galatia, was detained there by sickness, or that ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the epistle to the galatians.htm

Matthew.
... for whom he had been unable through sickness to write ... He was himself a disciple of
the Apostle Paul, and composed ... thy mother." When he was in Asia, at the time ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/matthew.htm

Pastoral and Personal
... upon his return from the visit to Asia Minor, remained ... On account of sickness Trophimus
was left at Miletus (2 ... 1:5). From Crete it is thought that Paul went to ...
/.../sell/bible studies in the life of paul/study x pastoral and personal.htm

Acts xix. 21, 23
... (c) "whom all Asia and the ... (v.30.) Paul then wished ... body, when it is hot-blooded,
when it is in good case, it undergoes the quickest change to sickness: not so ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xlii acts xix 21.htm

The Mystery of Iniquity
... sins:" He "healed all their sickness." He not ... Paul's Epistles we meet with abundant
proof, that ... provinces of "Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia" Minor, "and ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 61 the mystery of.htm

Acts xix. 8, 9
... Insomuch," it says, "that all that dwelt in Asia heard the ... xvi.17): and again, "Jesus
I know, and Paul I know ... he is sick, but also that after the sickness he is ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xli acts xix 8.htm

1 Thessalonians ii. 12-Sep
... says, that "the Spirit" hindered them from going into Asia. ... Hear Paul saying,
"Henceforth there is laid up for ... Hast thou fallen into a severe sickness, and do ...
/.../homily iii 1 thessalonians ii.htm

1 Cor. 15:3-4. Foundation Truths.
... stare us in the face everywhere, in Europe, Asia, Africa, and ... We are sick of a deadly
sickness, and our first ... Paul had begun his work at Corinth by telling men ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter iv 1 cor 15 3-4.htm