2 Corinthians 12:8

2 Corinthians 12:8 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
• New International Version (NIV)Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

Context of 2 Corinthians 12:8

6For if I want to boast, I wouldn’t be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will spare you, so that no one can credit me with something beyond what he sees in me or hears from me, 7especially because of the extraordinary revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself. Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. 9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:8 word by word

ὑπὲρ τούτου τρὶς τὸν κύριον παρεκάλεσα ἵνα ἀποστῇ ἀπ᾽ ἐμοῦ.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Forὑπέρhuper · above/forG5228
• this thingοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• I besoughtπαρακαλέωparakaleō · to plead/comfortG3870
• the Lordὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the Lordκύριοςkurios · lord: GodG2962
• thriceτρίςtris · three timesG5151
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• it might departἀφίστημιaphistēmi · to leaveG868
• fromἀπόapo · away fromG575
• meἐγώegō · I/weG1473

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 12:8

• Deuteronomy 3:23“At that time I begged the Lord:
• 1 Samuel 15:11“I regret that I made Saul king, for he has turned away from following me and has not carried out my instructions.” So Samuel became angry and cried out to the Lord all night.
• 2 Samuel 12:16David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted, went home, and spent the night lying on the ground.
• Psalms 77:2I sought the Lord in my day of trouble. My hands were continually lifted up all night long; I refused to be comforted.
• Matthew 20:21“What do you want?” he asked her. “Promise,” she said to him, “that these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right and the other on your left, in your kingdom.”
• Matthew 26:39Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
• Hebrews 5:7During his earthly life, he offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12:8

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 8I besought the Lord - That is, Christ, as the next verse absolutely proves, and the Socinians themselves confess. And if Christ be an object of prayer in such a case as this, or indeed in any case, it is a sure proof of his divinity; for only an omniscient Being can be made an object of prayer. Thrice - Several suppose this to be a certain number for an uncertain; as if he had said, I often besought Christ to deliver me from this tormentor: or, which is…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 8For this thing - On account of this; in order that this calamity might be removed. I besought the Lord - The word “Lord” in the New Testament, when it stands without any other word in connection to limit its signification, commonly denotes the Lord Jesus Christ; see the note on Acts 1:24. The following verse here shows conclusively that it was the Lord Jesus to whom Paul addressed this prayer. The answer was that his grace was sufficient for him; and Paul…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7-10Verses 7-10 The apostle gives an account of the method God took to keep him humble, and to prevent his being lifted up above measure, on account of the visions and revelations he had. We are not told what this thorn in the flesh was, whether some great trouble, or some great temptation. But God often brings this good out of evil, that the reproaches of our enemies help to hide pride from us. If God loves us, he will keep us from being exalted above…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 7-10We do not know what Paul's thorn in the flesh was (see Numbers 33:55; Ezekiel 28:24; Hosea 2:6). We only know it was meant to keep him humble, to burst his pride. It was a messenger from Satan, meaning something or someone evil, so Paul asked the Lord to remove it. The Lord replied each time, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." Paul's weakness allowed Christ's power to work through him by God's grace. Paul accepted his suffering…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 88. For--"concerning this thing." thrice--To his first and second prayer no answer came. To his third the answer came, which satisfied his faith and led him to bow his will to God's will. So Paul's master, Jesus, thrice prayed on the Mount of Olives, in resignation to the Father's will. The thorn seems (from 2Co 12:9, and Greek, 2Co 12:7, "that he may buffet me") to have continued with Paul when he wrote, lest still he should be "overmuch lifted up." the…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 12:8

• Afflictions and Adversities
• Humility
• Jesus Continued
• Minister, Christian
• Paul
• Prayer

In the dictionaries

• Afflictions
• Backbiting
• Crafty
• Excuse
• Gain
• Grace
• Perfect
• Prayer
• Revelation
• Sufficient

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings