Does God use Satan?

[johnpaul]

I was reding through 2 Corinthians 12 versus 1 to 10.
In verse 7 Paul says;

To keep me from becomming conceited because of the surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

Does this suggest that God uses Satan for good?

 

[stephen]

Hello johnpaul, good to comminicate with you.

"thorn in the flesh" "a messenger of satan"

This is the most simple explanation of the thorn in the flesh that is possible for God or man to give. It was "the messenger (aggelos pronounced angglos meaning angel) is translated angel 1179 times, and messenger 7 times.

An angel of satan, one of the spirit beings followed Paul and buffeted him when he was tempted to become exalted. Paul list's in 11: 23-27 some of the things that this angel caused him to go through to keep him humble. (There is not a disease in the whole list) as some would suggest this was.

This may suggest that God 'allows' I cannot say other than

 

[johnpaul]

Hi Stephen, good of you to reply. I think God has an overall plan and can use any of his creation to achieve it.

 

[xDICEx]

Hello JP. I agree. Joseph's brothers meant it for evil, but God meant it for good; same with all God's creatures. The most interesting example of this that I have found in the Scriptures is in the numbering of Israel during David's time when the slaying angel was halted above Aranna's threshing floor. Check out sebe's post on "Mistakes in the Bible"; there I comment on the related passages. I must say however the crusifiction of Christ is the premier example; not only were all the men involved acting "with wicked hands", but Satan also was filling their hearts as he did Judas's. All the good God ever promiced has descended down from that event. ...DGB

 

[Chad]

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

The Vision of Paradise

1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

The Thorn in the Flesh

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Matthew Henry's Commentary

The apostle's revelations.

There can be no doubt the apostle speaks of himself. Whether heavenly things were brought down to him, while his body was in a trance, as in the case of ancient prophets; or whether his soul was dislodged from the body for a time, and taken up into heaven, or whether he was taken up, body and soul together, he knew not. We are not capable, nor is it fit we should yet know, the particulars of that glorious place and state.

He did not attempt to publish to the world what he had heard there, but he set forth the doctrine of Christ. On that foundation the church is built, and on that we must build our faith and hope. And while this teaches us to enlarge our expectations of the glory that shall be revealed, it should render us contented with the usual methods of learning the truth and will of God. (2Co 12:7-10)