2 Corinthians 12:8
2 Corinthians 12:8 in Multiple Translations
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
And about this thing I made request to the Lord three times that it might be taken away from me.
I pleaded with the Lord three times to get rid of this problem.
For this thing I besought the Lord thrise, that it might depart from me.
Concerning this thing thrice the Lord did I call upon, that it might depart from me,
Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
For which thing thrice I besought the Lord, that it might depart from me.
Three times I prayed to the Lord about it, begging him to take this away from me.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Corinthians 12:8
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2 Corinthians 12:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — 2 Corinthians 12:8
Study Notes — 2 Corinthians 12:8
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Corinthians 12:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Corinthians 12:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Corinthians 12:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:8
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:8
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Corinthians 12:8
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Corinthians 12:8
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:8
- Sermons on 2 Corinthians 12:8
Context — Paul’s Thorn and God’s Grace
8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
9But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. 10That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hebrews 5:7 | During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. |
| 2 | Matthew 26:39–44 | Going 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.” Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” A second time He went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cup cannot pass unless I drink it, may Your will be done.” And again Jesus returned and found them sleeping—for their eyes were heavy. So He left them and went away once more and prayed a third time, saying the same thing. |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 15:11 | “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned away from following Me and has not carried out My instructions.” And Samuel was distressed and cried out to the LORD all that night. |
| 4 | Psalms 77:2–11 | In the day of trouble I sought the Lord; through the night my outstretched hands did not grow weary; my soul refused to be comforted. I remembered You, O God, and I groaned; I mused and my spirit grew faint. Selah You have kept my eyes from closing; I am too troubled to speak. I considered the days of old, the years long in the past. At night I remembered my song; in my heart I mused, and my spirit pondered: “Will the Lord spurn us forever and never show His favor again? Is His loving devotion gone forever? Has His promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has His anger shut off His compassion?” Selah So I said, “I am grieved that the right hand of the Most High has changed.” I will remember the works of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old. |
| 5 | 2 Samuel 12:16–18 | David pleaded with God for the boy. He fasted and went into his house and spent the night lying in sackcloth on the ground. The elders of his household stood beside him to help him up from the ground, but he was unwilling and would not eat anything with them. On the seventh day the child died. But David’s servants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Look, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not listen to us. So how can we tell him the child is dead? He may even harm himself.” |
| 6 | Matthew 20:21–22 | “What do you want?” He inquired. She answered, “Declare that in Your kingdom one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right hand, and the other at Your left.” “You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” the brothers answered. |
| 7 | Deuteronomy 3:23–27 | At that time I also pleaded with the LORD: “O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your greatness and power to Your servant. For what god in heaven or on earth can perform such works and mighty acts as Yours? Please let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan—that pleasant hill country as well as Lebanon!” But the LORD was angry with me on account of you, and He would not listen to me. “That is enough,” the LORD said to me. “Do not speak to Me again about this matter. Go to the top of Pisgah and look to the west and north and south and east. See the land with your own eyes, for you will not cross this Jordan. |
2 Corinthians 12:8 Summary
In 2 Corinthians 12:8, the Apostle Paul shares that he pleaded with the Lord three times to take away the 'thorn in his flesh', which was a source of suffering and pain for him. This shows that even the great Apostle Paul struggled with difficulties and prayed for relief, just like we do. However, as we see in the next verse, 2 Corinthians 12:9, God's answer to Paul was not to remove the thorn, but to give him the strength to endure it, and this is a powerful reminder that God's power is made perfect in our weakness, as seen in 2 Corinthians 12:9 and also in Isaiah 43:2-3, where God promises to be with us in the midst of our struggles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the 'thorn in the flesh' that the Apostle Paul referred to in the previous verse?
The Bible does not specify exactly what the 'thorn in the flesh' was, but it is clear that it was a source of suffering and torment for Paul, and he pleaded with the Lord to take it away from him, as seen in 2 Corinthians 12:8, and also in 2 Corinthians 12:7, it is described as a 'messenger of Satan'.
Why did Paul plead with the Lord to take away the thorn in his flesh?
Paul pleaded with the Lord to take away the thorn in his flesh because it was a source of pain and suffering for him, and he desired to be free from it, as seen in 2 Corinthians 12:8, and this desire is a natural human response to suffering, as seen in Psalm 38:9, where David also cries out to God in his suffering.
How many times did Paul plead with the Lord to take away the thorn in his flesh?
According to 2 Corinthians 12:8, Paul pleaded with the Lord to take away the thorn in his flesh three times, demonstrating his persistence and desperation in seeking relief from his suffering, and this is reminiscent of Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He also prayed three times, as seen in Matthew 26:44.
What can we learn from Paul's experience of pleading with the Lord to take away the thorn in his flesh?
We can learn that even in our darkest moments of suffering, God is present and hears our cries, and we can trust in His goodness and sovereignty, even when our prayers are not answered in the way we desire, as seen in Romans 8:28, which reminds us that God works all things together for our good.
Reflection Questions
- What are some 'thorns in the flesh' that you are currently experiencing, and how can you bring them before the Lord in prayer, as Paul did in 2 Corinthians 12:8?
- How do you respond when your prayers are not answered in the way you desire, and what can you learn from Paul's experience in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10?
- What does it mean to trust in God's goodness and sovereignty, even in the midst of suffering, and how can you cultivate this trust in your own life, as seen in Psalm 23:4 and Romans 8:28?
- How can you, like Paul, learn to boast in your weaknesses and find strength in Christ, as seen in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, and what are some practical ways you can apply this truth in your life?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Corinthians 12:8
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Corinthians 12:8
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:8
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:8
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:8
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:8
Cambridge Bible on 2 Corinthians 12:8
Barnes' Notes on 2 Corinthians 12:8
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:8
Sermons on 2 Corinthians 12:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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How a Christian Gives Himself Away by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for a different approach to church programs and gatherings. He highlights the story of Gideon and how God used a small number of men |
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Discipleship or Survivalship: Survival for Strugglers by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of breaking his foot while kicking boxes. He emphasizes the importance of not becoming discouraged when growth in our Chris |
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Why Our Prayers Aren't Answered by Al Whittinghill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not ignoring the cry of the poor, as it can have consequences for oneself. The preacher suggests that God may be trying to |
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Cd Gv279 Coney Hill Morning Service by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the guilt he feels when enjoying recreational activities while millions of people suffer without food and homes. He shares his personal expe |
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Mission Fest Alaska 2008 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of building a strong spiritual foundation for global missions. He highlights the need for men and women of God who possess mor |
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Let Me Speak, Lastly, to Those Who Do Pray by J.C. Ryle | J.C. Ryle emphasizes the significance of prayer in the life of a believer, urging Christians to approach prayer with reverence, humility, and earnestness. He highlights the necessi |
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Faith for Seasons of Silence by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson addresses the challenges of unanswered prayers and the seasons of silence that believers often experience. He emphasizes that while faith is essential, it must be a |





