2 Korinther 12:8

8 Dafür ich dreimal zum HERRN gefleht habe, daß er von mir wiche.

2 Korinther 12:8 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 12:8

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice
With respect to the thorn in the flesh, the messenger Satan, who gave him so much continual disturbance. This sent him to the throne of grace, to request of the Lord,

that it,
or rather, "he might"

depart from me:
this request greatly confirms the above sense, for it can hardly be thought the apostle would be so importunate about the removal of a common bodily affliction; and he knew that the corruption of his nature would remain with him as long as he was in the body; and as for afflictions, reproaches, and persecutions for the Gospel's sake, he was well apprized they would abide him wherever he went; but that so troublesome an adversary might depart, as it must be greatly desirable, so it was a very proper request: and it is made to a very proper person, to the "Lord" Jesus Christ; who in the days of his flesh had such power over the devils, as to dispossess them from the bodies of men by a word speaking, and held them in subjection, and in a panic fear of him; and when upon the cross, he spoiled principalities and powers, and in the latter day will bind Satan with a chain, and shut him up in the bottomless pit for a thousand years. This request was made thrice, not with any view to the three persons in the Godhead, Father, Son, and Spirit; nor to the three usual times of prayer in a day, morning, noon, and night; nor is any exact number of times intended; but the sense is, that he frequently besought the Lord on this account.

2 Korinther 12:8 In-Context

6 Und so ich mich rühmen wollte, täte ich daran nicht töricht; denn ich wollte die Wahrheit sagen. Ich enthalte mich aber dessen, auf daß nicht jemand mich höher achte, als er an mir sieht oder von mir hört.

7 Und auf daß ich mich nicht der hohen Offenbarung überhebe, ist mir gegeben ein Pfahl ins Fleisch, nämlich des Satans Engel, der mich mit Fäusten schlage, auf daß ich mich nicht überhebe.

8 Dafür ich dreimal zum HERRN gefleht habe, daß er von mir wiche.

9 Und er hat zu mir gesagt: Laß dir an meiner Gnade genügen; denn meine Kraft ist in den Schwachen mächtig. Darum will ich mich am allerliebsten rühmen meiner Schwachheit, auf daß die Kraft Christi bei mir wohne.

10 Darum bin ich gutes Muts in Schwachheiten, in Mißhandlungen, in Nöten, in Verfolgungen, in Ängsten, um Christi willen; denn, wenn ich schwach bin, so bin ich stark.