Who Was The Messenger of Satan?

Paul's Second Epistle to the Corinthians 12:1-9

Egomaniac or just plain Maniac? Is Paul Mean?

12:1 It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord.

12:2 I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. 12:3 And I know that such a person--whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows-- 12:4 was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat.

12:5 On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 12:6 But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, 12:7 even considering the exceptional character of the revelations.

Therefore, to keep me from being too elated,
a thorn was given me in the flesh,
a messenger of Satan to torment me,
to keep me from being too elated.
12:8 Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me,
12:9 but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness."

* Compare this experience to Paul's statement in Acts 22:17-18 that he "fell into a trance and saw Jesus." 

** Cf. Schizophrenia: US Surgeon General - Medline