2 Corinthians 12:8

In 2 Corinthians 12:8, the Apostle Paul reveals his earnest plea to the Lord concerning a persistent affliction. This verse immediately follows his description of the "thorn in the flesh" in the preceding verse, setting the stage for one of the Bible's most profound lessons on divine grace and human weakness.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section (2 Corinthians 12:1-10) where Paul is defending his apostolic authority and sharing deeply personal experiences. Having just described being caught up to the third heaven and receiving "abundance of the revelations", Paul explains that a "thorn in the flesh" was given to him. This affliction, which he calls "the messenger of Satan," was designed to keep him from becoming conceited due to the extraordinary spiritual experiences he had received. Verse 8 details his immediate and very human response to this severe trial.

Key Themes

• Persistence in Prayer: Paul's statement, "I besought the Lord thrice," highlights his earnestness and perseverance in prayer. This wasn't a fleeting request but a repeated, fervent plea for relief from his suffering. It echoes other biblical examples of persistent prayer, such as Jesus praying three times in Gethsemane.
• Desire for Relief from Suffering: Paul's request, "that it might depart from me," expresses a natural human desire to be free from pain or difficulty. Even a great apostle like Paul, who understood God's purposes, still yearned for an end to his affliction, demonstrating that it is acceptable and human to pray for relief from our burdens.
• Setting the Stage for Divine Grace: This verse is crucial because it leads directly into the Lord's famous answer in 2 Corinthians 12:9. Paul's persistent prayer for removal ultimately receives a divine response that, while not removing the thorn, promises sufficient grace and power in weakness.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "besought" is παρεκάλουν (parekaloun), which is in the imperfect tense. This tense often denotes continuous or repeated action in the past. Thus, "I besought" can be understood as "I kept on asking" or "I was earnestly entreating." This linguistic nuance reinforces the meaning of "thrice" (τρίς - *tris*), emphasizing the intensity and repetition of Paul's prayers to God for the removal of his affliction.

Practical Application

Paul's experience in 2 Corinthians 12:8 offers profound lessons for believers today:

• It validates our own prayers for relief from hardship, illness, or temptation. It is right to bring our deepest desires and struggles before the Lord.
• It teaches us the value of persistence in prayer, even when answers aren't immediately apparent or align with our expectations.
• It prepares us to receive God's answer, which may not always be removal of the problem, but rather the provision of His sufficient grace to endure and thrive through it. Paul's prayer, though seemingly unanswered as he wished, led to a deeper revelation of God's power perfected in weakness.