2 Corinthians 12:7-10
New American Standard Bible
A Thorn in the Flesh
7 Because of the extraordinary greatness of the (A)revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a (B)thorn in the flesh, a (C)messenger of Satan to [a]torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord (D)three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for (E)power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather (F)boast [b]about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore (G)I delight in weaknesses, in [c]insults, in (H)distresses, in (I)persecutions, in (J)difficulties, (K)in behalf of Christ; for (L)when I am weak, then I am strong.
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- 2 Corinthians 12:7 Lit beat
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 Lit in
- 2 Corinthians 12:10 Or mistreatment
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
But God’s Power Is Perfected In Weakness, So I Will Boast In My Weaknesses
7 And[a] for the excess[b] of the revelations— for-this-reason, in order that I might not be exalted[c], a thorn in the flesh was given to me; a messenger of Satan to[d] beat[e] me in order that I might not be exalted. 8 I appealed-to the Lord about this three-times, that it[f] might depart from me. 9 And He has said to me: “My grace is sufficient[g] for you. For My power is perfected[h] in weakness”. Therefore most-gladly[i] I will rather boast in my weaknesses in order that the power of Christ may dwell upon me. 10 For this reason I am well-pleased with weaknesses, with insults[j], with constraints, with persecutions and distresses for the sake of Christ. For whenever I am weak, at that time I am powerful[k].
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- 2 Corinthians 12:7 This points forward to “for-this-reason”. Or, “beyond what he sees... or hears... and for the... revelations. For this reason”, naming a second basis on which credit might come to Paul (v 6).
- 2 Corinthians 12:7 Paul may mean excess of quality (excellence) or quantity (abundance).
- 2 Corinthians 12:7 Or, exalt myself.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7 Lit, in order that it (or, he) might beat me.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7 Or, strike.
- 2 Corinthians 12:8 That is, the thorn. Or, he; the messenger.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 Or, adequate, enough.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 Or, brought to completion or consummation. The greatness of God’s power is seen in the weakness of the means He uses to accomplish His works. Jesus is the prime example. God’s greatest victory came from the worst of human defeats.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9 Or, with-the-greatest-pleasure.
- 2 Corinthians 12:10 Or, violent mistreatment.
- 2 Corinthians 12:10 Or, strong, mighty.
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing
