2 Corinthians 12 8

2 Corinthians 12:8 kjv

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

2 Corinthians 12:8 nkjv

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me.

2 Corinthians 12:8 niv

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.

2 Corinthians 12:8 esv

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.

2 Corinthians 12:8 nlt

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.

2 Corinthians 12 verses

2 Corinthians 12 8 Meaning

This verse reveals the apostle Paul's intense, repeated petition to the Lord concerning a severe personal affliction, which he refers to as a "thorn in the flesh" in the preceding verse. He earnestly prayed three distinct times for this painful hindrance to be removed from him. His supplication was not a casual request but a profound appeal for relief from a distress that impacted his ministry and well-being.

2 Corinthians 12 8 Context

This verse is nested within a highly personal and polemical section of Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, where he is defending his apostolic authority against "super-apostles" (2 Cor 11:5, 12:11) who boasted in human wisdom, eloquent speech, and outward appearances of strength. In chapters 10-13, Paul "boasts" not in strength, but paradoxically, in his weaknesses and suffering, aligning himself with Christ's humility. Immediately preceding this verse, Paul recounted his extraordinary spiritual experiences, including visions and revelations (2 Cor 12:1-4). To counteract the danger of conceit that might arise from such unparalleled spiritual privilege, God permitted a "thorn in the flesh" to afflict Paul, a "messenger of Satan to torment me" (2 Cor 12:7). Verse 8 then describes Paul's immediate, intense, and repeated prayer response to this affliction, setting the stage for the Lord's profound and counter-intuitive answer in verse 9, where God's power is revealed as made perfect in weakness.

2 Corinthians 12 8 Word analysis

• Concerning this thing: Refers directly to "the thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan" mentioned in 2 Cor 12:7. Paul intentionally avoids specificity about the nature of the "thing," allowing for broad identification and theological emphasis on God's purpose rather than the affliction itself.
• I pleaded (παρεκάλεσα, parekalesa): From the Greek verb παρακαλέω, meaning to call alongside, to appeal to, to entreat, implore, exhort, or comfort. In this context, it signifies a fervent and earnest request or supplication. It's not a casual or light asking but an intense, heartfelt plea to the highest authority. The aorist tense indicates a decisive act of prayer.
• with the Lord (τὸν Κύριον, ton Kyrios): This unequivocally refers to Jesus Christ. In Paul's letters, "the Lord" in the context of prayer or personal address nearly always denotes Christ, reinforcing the early church's practice of praying directly to Jesus, acknowledging His divine sovereignty and accessibility.
• three times (τρὶς, tris): This numerical adverb indicates not merely persistence, but a specific, deliberate, and sustained effort in prayer. It implies a thoroughness and earnestness. It is often paralleled with Jesus' repeated prayer in Gethsemane (Matt 26:44) and other biblical examples of focused, repeated supplication, signifying a definite and resolved series of prayers. It doesn't suggest God needs repetition, but demonstrates the intensity and resolve of the petitioner.
• that it might depart from me (ἵνα ἀποστῇ ἀπ᾿ ἐμοῦ, hina apostei ap' emou): This phrase expresses the clear objective of Paul's prayer: the removal of the "thorn." The Greek subjunctive ἀποστῇ (apostei, "it might depart") indicates the purpose or desired outcome. Paul desired relief and liberation from this burden, perceiving it as a hinderance. This was a direct, focused prayer for a specific intervention.

Words-group analysis:

• I pleaded with the Lord: Highlights a personal and intimate relationship between Paul and Jesus Christ, underscoring the privilege and reality of prayer directly to the risen Lord as divine. It demonstrates Paul's dependence on Christ for intervention and solace in his deepest distress.
• three times I pleaded: Emphasizes Paul's deep distress and unwavering commitment to bringing his petition before the Lord. It signifies not a lack of faith, but a diligent, concentrated, and patient approach to prayer, testing God's will with heartfelt intensity, much like Jesus' own Gethsemane experience. This repetition reflects human struggle and spiritual tenacity.
• that it might depart from me: Clearly articulates the specific content of Paul's repeated petition – a desire for liberation from suffering. It reveals the natural human inclination to seek relief from pain, even when one is deeply committed to God's will, while simultaneously demonstrating his willingness to yield to divine wisdom even if the answer wasn't removal.

2 Corinthians 12 8 Bonus section

The deliberate ambiguity of Paul's "thorn" in 2 Cor 12:7, to which this verse refers ("this thing"), is a crucial aspect often highlighted by scholars. Had Paul specified its nature (e.g., a particular physical ailment, a person, a persistent temptation), the message might have become less universally applicable. By keeping it undescribed, God ensures that every believer grappling with a unique, enduring affliction—physical, mental, spiritual, relational—can find personal resonance and identify their own "thorn" with Paul's experience, thus receiving comfort and understanding from the Lord's subsequent response in verse 9. This underscores a key principle of Scripture: divine revelation often functions through archetypes and general principles, enabling broader application across diverse human experiences.

Furthermore, Paul's prayer to "the Lord" (Jesus) for intervention demonstrates a developed Christology in the early church. Paul clearly viewed Jesus as divine, accessible for direct prayer, and powerful enough to alter the course of circumstances. This practice of praying to Jesus (distinct from praying to God the Father through Jesus) is consistent with other New Testament passages and emphasizes Christ's mediatorial and divine roles as worthy of worship and supplication.

2 Corinthians 12 8 Commentary

2 Corinthians 12:8 offers a profound insight into the reality of Christian life, prayer, and God's sovereign working through human weakness. Paul, despite his unparalleled revelations and deep spiritual understanding, experienced significant personal anguish (the "thorn") which he repeatedly and intensely sought to have removed. His act of "pleading" (παρεκάλεσα) "three times" with the "Lord" (τὸν Κύριον) speaks volumes about his faith, his humanity, and the object of his devotion. This wasn't a half-hearted request, but a sustained, fervent pouring out of his heart, akin to Jesus' agony in Gethsemane. The specific petition – "that it might depart from me" – reflects the universal desire for relief from suffering.

However, the divine response (though revealed in the next verse) is foreshadowed here; God's will is not always aligned with our desire for comfort, but always for our ultimate good and His glory. This verse demonstrates that persistence in prayer is vital, even when the immediate answer is not what we expect. It illustrates that spiritual giants, too, face agonizing trials and appeal directly to Christ for help. The unstated nature of the "thorn" makes Paul's experience universally relatable, as believers frequently plead with God over unyielding personal afflictions. This verse establishes the legitimacy of crying out to God in distress, and preparing us for God's answer which often involves grace to endure rather than instant removal of the struggle, thus manifesting His power in our weakness.