2 Corinthians 12:7New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations--wherefore, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I should not be exalted overmuch.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— And that I might not be exalted by the exceeding greatness of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn for the flesh, a messenger of Satan that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted.
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— Wherefore, lest I should be unduly lifted up, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me,—lest I should be unduly lifted up.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— and that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of the Adversary, that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted overmuch.
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— And lest I should be exalted out of measure through the aboundance of reuelations, there was giuen vnto me a pricke in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet mee, because I should not be exalted out of measure.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— And least I should bee exalted aboue measure through the abundance of the reuelations, there was giuen to me a thorne in the flesh, the messenger of Sathan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted aboue measure.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— And lest I should be exalted through the abundance of the revelations, there was delivered to me a thorn in my flesh, the angel of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted.
John Etheridge Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1849)
— And that I might not be exalted by the abundance of revelations, there was delivered to me a stimulus of my flesh, an angel of Satana to buffet me, that I might not be exalted.
James Murdock Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1852)
— And, that I might not be uplifted by the excellency of the revelations, there was imparted to me a thorn in my flesh, the angel of Satan, to buffet me, that I might not be uplifted. |
And
2532 {2532} Primeκαίkai{kahee}
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words.
lest
3363 {3363} Primeἵνα μεhina me{hin'-ah may}
That is, G2443 and G3361; in order (or so) that not.
I should be exalted above measure
5229 {5229} Primeὑπεραίρομαιhuperairomai{hoop-er-ah'-ee-rom-ahee}
Middle voice from G5228 and G0142; to raise oneself over, that is, (figuratively) to become haughty.
z5747 <5747> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774) Voice - Passive (See G5786) Mood - Subjunctive (See G5792) Count - 18
through the
x3588 (3588) Complementὁho{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
abundance
5236 {5236} Primeὑπερβολήhuperbole{hoop-er-bol-ay'}
From G5235; a throwing beyond others, that is, (figuratively) supereminence; adverbially (with G1519 or G2596) pre-eminently.
of the
x3588 (3588) Complementὁho{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
revelations,
602 {0602} Primeἀποκάλυψιςapokalupsis{ap-ok-al'-oop-sis}
From G0601; disclosure.
there was given
1325 {1325} Primeδίδωμιdidomi{did'-o-mee}
A prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternate in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection).
z5681 <5681> Grammar
Tense - Aorist (See G5777) Voice - Passive (See G5786) Mood - Indicative (See G5791) Count - 602
to me
3427 {3427} Primeμοίmoi{moy}
The simpler form of G1698; to me.
a thorn
4647 {4647} Primeσκόλοψskolops{skol'-ops}
Perhaps form the base of G4628 and G3700; withered at the front, that is, a point or prickle (figuratively a bodily annoyance or disability).
in the
x3588 (3588) Complementὁho{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
flesh,
4561 {4561} Primeσάρξsarx{sarx}
Probably from the base of G4563; flesh (as stripped of the skin), that is, (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred, or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specifically) a human being (as such).
the messenger
32 {0032} Primeἄγγελοςaggelos{ang'-el-os}
From ἀγγέλλω [[aggello]] (probably derived from G0071; compare G0034; to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an ' angel'; by implication a pastor.
of Satan
4566 {4566} PrimeΣατάνSatan{sat-an'}
Of Hebrew origin [ H7854]; Satan, that is, the devil.
to
2443 {2443} Primeἵναhina{hin'-ah}
Probably from the same as the former part of G1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare G3588); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result).
buffet
2852 {2852} Primeκολαφίζωkolaphizo{kol-af-id'-zo}
From a derivative of the base of G2849; to rap with the fist.
z5725 <5725> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774) Voice - Active (See G5784) Mood - Subjunctive (See G5792) Count - 352
me,
3165 {3165} Primeμέme{meh}
A shorter (and probably original) form of G1691; me.
lest
3363 {3363} Primeἵνα μεhina me{hin'-ah may}
That is, G2443 and G3361; in order (or so) that not.
I should be exalted above measure.
5229 {5229} Primeὑπεραίρομαιhuperairomai{hoop-er-ah'-ee-rom-ahee}
Middle voice from G5228 and G0142; to raise oneself over, that is, (figuratively) to become haughty.
z5747 <5747> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774) Voice - Passive (See G5786) Mood - Subjunctive (See G5792) Count - 18 |
2 Corinthians 12:7
_ _ exalted above measure — Greek, “overmuch uplifted.” How dangerous must self-exaltation be, when even the apostle required so much restraint! [Bengel].
_ _ abundance — Greek, “the excess”; exceeding greatness.
_ _ given ... me — namely, by God (Job 5:6; Philippians 1:29).
_ _ thorn in the flesh — (Numbers 33:55; Ezekiel 28:24). Alford thinks it to be the same bodily affliction as in Galatians 4:13, Galatians 4:14. It certainly was something personal, affecting him individually, and not as an apostle: causing at once acute pain (as “thorn” implies) and shame (“buffet”: as slaves are buffeted, 1 Peter 2:20).
_ _ messenger of Satan — who is permitted by God to afflict His saints, as Job (Job 2:7; Luke 13:16).
_ _ to buffet me — In Greek, present: to buffet me even now continuously. After experiencing the state of the blissful angels, he is now exposed to the influence of an evil angel. The chastisement from hell follows soon upon the revelation from heaven. As his sight and hearing had been ravished with heavenly “revelations,” so his touch is pained with the “thorn in the flesh.” |
2 Corinthians 12:7
There was given me — By the wise and gracious providence of God. A thorn in the flesh — A visitation more painful than any thorn sticking in the flesh. A messenger or angel of Satan to buffet me — Perhaps both visibly and invisibly; and the word in the original expresses the present, as well as the past, time. All kinds of affliction had befallen the apostle. Yet none of those did he deprecate. But here he speaks of one, as above all the rest, one that macerated him with weakness, and by the pain and ignominy of it prevented his being lifted up mere, or, at least, not less, than the most vehement head ache could have done; which many of the ancients say he laboured under. St. Paul seems to have had a fresh fear of these buffetings every moment, when he so frequently represses himself in his boasting, though it was extorted from him by the utmost necessity. |
2 Corinthians 12:7
(3) And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me (f) a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of (g) Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
(3) An excellent doctrine: why God will have even his best servants to be vexed by Satan, and by every type of temptations: that is, lest they should be too much puffed up, and also that they may be made perfect by being continually exercised in them.
(f) He means sinful lust, that sticks fast in us as it were a thorn, to such a degree that it forced Paul himself who was regenerated to cry out, "I do not that good that I would", etc. And he calls it a thorn by a metaphor taken from thorns, or stumps, which are very dangerous and harmful for the feet, if a man walks through woods that are cut down.
(g) Which sets those lusts on fire. |
- lest:
2 Corinthians 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
2 Corinthians 11:20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour [you], if a man take [of you], if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.
Deuteronomy 8:14 Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;
Deuteronomy 17:20 That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, [to] the right hand, or [to] the left: to the end that he may prolong [his] days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.
2 Chronicles 26:16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to [his] destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
2 Chronicles 32:25-26 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit [done] unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. ... Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, [both] he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the LORD came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
2 Chronicles 32:31 Howbeit in [the business of] the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was [done] in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all [that was] in his heart.
Daniel 5:20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
1 Timothy 3:6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
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- the abundance:
2 Corinthians 12:1-4 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. ... How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
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- a thorn:
Genesis 32:25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
Genesis 32:31 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
Judges 2:3 Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be [as thorns] in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.
Ezekiel 28:24 And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor [any] grieving thorn of all [that are] round about them, that despised them; and they shall know that I [am] the Lord GOD.
Galatians 4:13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
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- the messenger:
Job 2:7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
Luke 13:16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?
1 Corinthians 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
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- to buffet:
Matthew 26:67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote [him] with the palms of their hands,
1 Corinthians 4:11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
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