The Thorn in the Flesh

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a (A)thorn in the flesh was given to me, (B)a messenger of Satan to [a]buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. (C)Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly (D)I will rather boast in my infirmities, (E)that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore (F)I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. (G)For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:7 beat

especially kai because of the ho extraordinary hyperbolē character of my ho revelations apokalypsis. Therefore dio in order that hina I should not become conceited hyperairō, there was given didōmi to me egō a thorn skolops in the ho flesh sarx, a messenger angelos of Satan Satanas to hina torment kolaphizō me egō, that hina I should not become conceited hyperairō. Three times tris I pleaded with parakaleō the ho Lord kyrios about hyper this houtos, that hina it would leave aphistēmi me egō. But kai he said legō to me egō, “ My egō grace charis is sufficient arkeō for you sy, · ho for gar my ho power dynamis is fulfilled teleō in en weakness astheneia.” Therefore oun I will most mallon gladly hēdeōs boast kauchaomai in en · ho my egō weaknesses astheneia, in order that hina the ho power dynamis of ho Christ Christos may dwell episkēnoō in epi me egō. 10 For this reason dio I am content eudokeō with en weaknesses astheneia, with en insults hybris, with en hardships anankē, with en persecutions diōgmos and kai difficulties stenochōria for the sake hyper of Christ Christos; for gar whenever hotan I am weak astheneō, then tote I am eimi strong dynatos.

Read full chapter