The thorn in Paul's life was not a paradox nor an external predator or internal struggle with his true self. The thorn was his being. He was a modern day opportunist in flight from the light of day.

A wayfarers conundrum as it where, Paul was a strong man with the word and possibilities that arose within the historical moment. The moment when many were struggling with tyranny, ala Romans to the left of you the local tribes of Jews and Jew mimics for which Paul derived to the right of you, Pagans in between and the likes of who to join and who to avoid. Or do you simply play one against the other. ever the reed in the wind.

Paul was a fence straddling self absorbed poacher of opportunity the church ultimately used as its resident poster boy. He bought his way out of trouble with the tidings poached from the early Greek Christians he befriended. He took from the wealthy and kept it. It was who he was.

A pathological sort who took and took until caught. And caught again until the day came when historical needs and cultural changes warranted something different.

Eventually who he truly was caught up with him. Although its needs still in a formative state, the Church created its resident Saint Paul and martyr while the rest...well, the rest remains in the wind, found in ancient words and texts written by who knows who but there for the likes of today's believers to take for granted or literally or however you choose.

To think Paul was actually what you read is an entirely different matter. A matter of time and circumstance and the words of men who sought power and prestige and the likes of ancient struggles not unlike today but different. Different in that Saints are hard to manufacture today. While martyrs are a different matter entirely.

Thanks for listening. I appreciate your essays. Why? Simply put, that mystify me.