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 speaks of a personal plea made by the Apostle Paul to God concerning a distressing physical or spiritual affliction, often referred to as a "thorn in the flesh." Paul thrice requested its removal, but God's response was not the removal of the affliction itself, but rather a profound assurance of sufficient divine grace. God declared that His power is perfected, meaning it is most fully displayed and made complete, not in human strength or in the absence of weakness, but through human frailty and suffering. This grace is not merely adequate, but abundant, enabling believers to experience Christ's strength residing within them, particularly when they are weak.

2 Corinthians 12 8 Context

This verse is situated within a discourse where Paul is defending his apostleship, particularly against those who questioned his authority or considered him less significant because he didn't boast of human credentials or experiences as did some of his detractors. He recounts being caught up into paradise and hearing inexpressible words, choosing not to boast of these supernatural experiences to avoid arrogance. Instead, he shares about a "thorn in the flesh" given to him, a messenger of Satan to buffet him, lest he become too exalted. He clarifies that he pleaded with the Lord three times for its removal. The immediate context is Paul’s explanation of God’s gracious sufficiency in his weakness, assuring the Corinthian believers that their faith was not rooted in Paul’s strength but in God’s power working through his infirmities. The historical context is the vibrant, often contentious, church life in Corinth, where external pressures and internal factions required robust defense of the Gospel and apostolic authority.

2 Corinthians 12 8 Word Analysis

• δέ (de): But / And - A common adversative or connective particle, here signifying a transition or contrast, likely introducing God's answer to Paul's prayer.

• μοι (moi): to me - Dative pronoun, emphasizing the personal nature of the experience and God's direct address to Paul.

• ἐπι thằng (epi thang): thrice - Indicates the number of times Paul pleaded, highlighting the earnestness and persistence of his prayer.

• ἠρώτησα (erōtēsa): I asked / I besought - Aorist tense, signifying a completed action of asking or earnestly requesting.

• Kύριον (Kurion): Lord - Referring to Jesus Christ, indicating Jesus as the recipient of Paul's petition.

• καὶ (kai): and - A conjunction linking phrases or clauses.

• ἔλεγεν (elegen): He said / He was saying - Imperfect tense, suggesting God's ongoing response or declaration to Paul.

• ἀρκεί (arke): is sufficient / it is enough - Present imperative of arkeo, meaning to be sufficient or enough, signifying completeness of provision.

• τῇ (tē): to you (feminine) / your - Possessive adjective referring to Paul.

• χάριτι (chariti): grace - Dative case of charis. Grace here signifies God's unmerited favor and enabling power.

• μου (mou): my - Genitive pronoun referring to Paul.

• ἡ (hē): the - Definite article.

• γὰρ (gar): for - Causal particle, explaining the reason or basis for the sufficiency of grace.

• δύναμις (dynamis): power - Nominative case. Refers to divine strength, ability, or potential.

• ἐν (en): in - Preposition indicating location or sphere.

• ἀσθενείᾳ (asthenieia): weakness - Dative case. This weakness can refer to Paul's affliction, his human limitations, or the suffering endured.

• ἐπιτελεῖται (epiteleite): is perfected / is made complete - Passive present indicative. This is a key term, meaning that God's power is most gloriously and completely manifested through or in the context of human weakness, not in its absence.

• μάλλιστα (mallista): most of all / especially - Adverb indicating a high degree.

• καὶ (kai): and - Conjunction.

• ἔχαιρε (echaire): I will boast / I will glory - Present tense. While Paul later speaks of boasting in weaknesses, this expresses his preferred desire that was not granted (the removal of the thorn). However, the "suffering" here in context is linked to the ongoing revelation and strength given, so the boast is in Christ through the weakness.

• ἐν (en): in - Preposition.

• ἀσθενείαις (asthenesiais): weaknesses - Dative plural. This encompasses Paul's various frailties, sufferings, and limitations.

• Words Group Analysis:

  • "I have been given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me" (2 Cor 12:7b) - This establishes the source and nature of Paul's distress, attributing it to a divine allowance to prevent excessive pride.
  • "Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this" (2 Cor 12:8a) - The repetition underscores Paul’s sincere and fervent petition for relief.
  • "My grace is sufficient for you" (2 Cor 12:9a) - The direct, authoritative answer from Christ, indicating that divine favor is not a removal of the trial, but an enablement within it.
  • "for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor 12:9b) - This is the theological foundation for God’s response; perfection of power is demonstrated through human frailty, not the elimination of it.
  • "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses" (2 Cor 12:9c) - The consequence of God's answer. Paul’s perspective shifts from wishing the thorn away to embracing the weakness, recognizing it as the very arena where Christ's power is most evident.

2 Corinthians 12 8 Bonus Section

The concept of God’s power being perfected in weakness resonates with Old Testament themes. For instance, Gideon was chosen from the weakest tribe of Israel, and his victory over the Midianites was accomplished through a greatly reduced army, emphasizing that the victory belonged to the Lord, not to human might (Judges 7). Likewise, the strength of Samson was paradoxical; it came from outside himself, a divine enablement often coupled with his personal failings or vulnerabilities. Furthermore, the very incarnation of Jesus, God becoming human, represents divine power made manifest in the ultimate weakness of human flesh. The Apostle Paul's teaching here is consistent with a broader biblical narrative where God often chooses the weak to confound the strong, ensuring all glory goes to Him. This verse provides solace and a theological framework for all believers who grapple with their own weaknesses, reminding them that their struggles are not obstacles to God's work, but rather fertile ground for its most potent expression.

2 Corinthians 12 8 Commentary

Paul’s prayer for relief from his "thorn in the flesh" highlights a common human desire to escape suffering. However, God’s response offers a profound redirection. The affliction was not removed, but the experience of it was transformed by the infusion of divine grace and power. God’s power isn’t diminished by weakness; it’s often manifested through it, allowing Christ’s strength to be demonstrably superior to human limitations. This teaches a vital principle: our effectiveness for God is not determined by our lack of struggle or our personal capabilities, but by the presence and enablement of Christ within us, especially when we feel most incapable. Paul’s resulting contentment and boasting in weaknesses is a testimony to the reality that God’s grace is not merely enough to get by, but abundant enough to triumph amidst adversity, transforming liabilities into opportunities for divine glory.

• Paul’s "thorn in the flesh" is often debated, potentially a physical ailment, persistent persecution, or internal spiritual struggle. Regardless of its exact nature, God’s answer focuses on providing sufficient grace.
• The phrase "made perfect in weakness" suggests that God's strength is not like human strength that is nullified by weakness, but rather that weakness becomes the very context where divine power is fully realized and demonstrated.
• Paul’s subsequent "boasting" in weaknesses (which is followed in v. 10 with "when I am weak, then I am strong") demonstrates a radical reorientation of his perspective, valuing Christ’s power demonstrated in his limitations above personal comfort or human acclaim.