What is the point in being a prophet?

[Genez]

It does matter if someone is using this verse as though it is talking about a sickness that they assume God wanted Paul to be left with and the gifts of the Spirit given to the church have expired, as you were claiming.

The Bible does not tell us exactly what Paul's thorn in the flesh was. ..

 

[Genez]

Personally, I don't think you have it right regarding grace, since you believe grace is offered when it is earned rather than that it is always being offered to all to be simply received by faith without works.

Grace is earned????? I have no idea what you think I said would indicate that.
Grace is earned?????

 

[PaulThomson]

The Bible does not tell us exactly what Paul's thorn in the flesh was. ..

So what were you referring to as God snapping His fingers and taking away Paul's ability to heal?

 

[PaulThomson]

Grace is earned????? I have no idea what you think I said would indicate that.
Grace is earned?????

Note! God does not tell Paul that grace is "unmerited favor."

"Unmerited favor" is a term that feels good to the emotions of those who want to settle for a simple answer.


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 made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

That tells us? Grace is God's power.

Power given to the believer, so that the believer can begin to function in a manner in God's power, in a way
that will merit favor with God!

When grace does its work in us? We become transformed into what merits God's favor!!!

Favour and grace are the same Greek word. (Charis) You denied that grace/favour is unmerited. That makes it merited. Merited means earned. Hence, I understood you as claiming that God's grace/favour is earned/merited.

 

[Genez]

So what were you referring to as God snapping His fingers and taking away Paul's ability to heal?

The gift was given to heal others... as his sign of God's approval when he ventured out to evangelize and teach.
He had a bad reputation after having persecuting the church...
Have you not read of all the healings Paul was involved with when he was on the road?

 

[Genez]

Favour and grace are the same Greek word. (Charis) You denied that grace/favour is unmerited. That makes it merited. Merited means earned. Hence, I understood you as claiming that God's grace/favour is earned/merited.

But, you must look and see how Paul defined the grace that God empowered him with.
Paul plainly calls it " power." An, enabling power!

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 made perfect in weakness.” ​

Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, ​

so that Christ’s power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:8-9​

Weakness? Power to over come? Grace!

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me ​

was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—​

yet not I, but the grace (power) of God that was with me." 1 Corinthians 15:10​

You can't see that?

How was Paul able to work harder than the rest?
That takes enabling power!

Some of the exegesis you do is definitely enabled by grace! It takes mental power!

grace and peace ............