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2 Corinthians 12

2 Cor. 12:7 KJV (With Strong’s)

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7
And
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
lest
hina (Greek #2443)
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
KJV usage: albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare 3363.
Pronounce: hin'-ah
Origin: probably from the same as the former part of 1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare 3588)
I should be exalted above measure
me (Greek #3361)
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
KJV usage: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also 3362, 3363, 3364, 3372, 3373, 3375, 3378.
Pronounce: may
Origin: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial)
huperairomai (Greek #5229)
to raise oneself over, i.e. (figuratively) to become haughty
KJV usage: exalt self, be exalted above measure.
Pronounce: hoop-er-ah'-ee-rom-ahee
Origin: middle voice from 5228 and 142
through the abundance
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
huperbole (Greek #5236)
a throwing beyond others, i.e. (figuratively) supereminence; adverbially (with 1519 or 2596) pre- eminently
KJV usage: abundance, (far more) exceeding, excellency, more excellent, beyond (out of) measure.
Pronounce: hoop-er-bol-ay'
Origin: from 5235
of the revelations
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
apokalupsis (Greek #602)
disclosure
KJV usage: appearing, coming, lighten, manifestation, be revealed, revelation.
Pronounce: ap-ok-al'-oop-sis
Origin: from 601
, there was given
didomi (Greek #1325)
to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection)
KJV usage: adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.
Pronounce: did'-o-mee
Origin: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses)
to me
moi (Greek #3427)
to me
KJV usage: I, me, mine, my.
Pronounce: moy
Origin: the simpler form of 1698
a thorn
skolops (Greek #4647)
withered at the front, i.e. a point or prickle (figuratively, a bodily annoyance or disability)
KJV usage: thorn.
Pronounce: skol'-ops
Origin: perhaps from the base of 4628 and 3700
y in the flesh
ho (Greek #3588)
the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
KJV usage: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
Pronounce: ho
Origin: ἡ (hay), and the neuter τό (to) in all their inflections
sarx (Greek #4561)
flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (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 (specially), a human being (as such)
KJV usage: carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).
Pronounce: sarx
Origin: probably from the base of 4563
, thez messenger
aggelos (Greek #32)
a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor
KJV usage: angel, messenger.
Pronounce: ang'-el-os
Origin: from ἀγγέλλω (probably derived from 71; compare 34) (to bring tidings)
of Satan
Satan (Greek #4566)
Satan, i.e. the devil
KJV usage: Satan. Compare 4567.
Pronounce: sat-an'
Origin: of Hebrew origin (07854)
to
hina (Greek #2443)
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
KJV usage: albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare 3363.
Pronounce: hin'-ah
Origin: probably from the same as the former part of 1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare 3588)
buffet
kolaphizo (Greek #2852)
to rap with the fist
KJV usage: buffet.
Pronounce: kol-af-id'-zo
Origin: from a derivative of the base of 2849
me
me (Greek #3165)
me
KJV usage: I, me, my.
Pronounce: meh
Origin: a shorter (and probably originally) form of 1691
, lest
hina (Greek #2443)
in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)
KJV usage: albeit, because, to the intent (that), lest, so as, (so) that, (for) to. Compare 3363.
Pronounce: hin'-ah
Origin: probably from the same as the former part of 1438 (through the demonstrative idea; compare 3588)
I should be exalted above measure
me (Greek #3361)
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas 3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
KJV usage: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also 3362, 3363, 3364, 3372, 3373, 3375, 3378.
Pronounce: may
Origin: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas 3756 expresses an absolute denial)
huperairomai (Greek #5229)
to raise oneself over, i.e. (figuratively) to become haughty
KJV usage: exalt self, be exalted above measure.
Pronounce: hoop-er-ah'-ee-rom-ahee
Origin: middle voice from 5228 and 142
.
y
Ezek. 28:24•  (Ezek. 28:24)
;
Gal. 4:14• 14and my temptation which was in my flesh ye slighted not nor loathed, but as an angel of God ye received me(as Christ Jesus. (Gal. 4:14)
z
Job 2:7•  (Job 2:7)
;
Luke 13:16• 16And this [woman] who is a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo [these] eighteen years, ought she not to be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day? (Luke 13:16)

More on:

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Flesh,
Satan,
Thorn in the Flesh

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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lest.
2 Cor. 10:5• 5pulling down reasonings and every height that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and leading captive every thought unto the obedience of Christ, (2 Cor. 10:5)
;
2 Cor. 11:20• 20For ye bear if one bring you into bondage, if one devour you, if one receive, if one exalt himself, if one beat you on the face. (2 Cor. 11:20)
;
Deut. 8:14•  (Deut. 8:14)
;
Deut. 17:20•  (Deut. 17:20)
;
2 Chron. 26:16•  (2 Chron. 26:16)
;
2 Chron. 32:25‑26,31•  (2 Chron. 32:25‑26,31)
;
Dan. 5:20•  (Dan. 5:20)
;
1 Tim. 3:6• 6not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the devil's charge . (1 Tim. 3:6)
the abundance.
2 Cor. 12:1‑4• 1I must needs boast; though it be not profitable, yet I will come unto visions and revelations of [the] Lord.
 2I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not: God knoweth), such an one caught up to the third heaven.
 3And I know such a man (whether in the body or without the body, I know not: God knoweth),
 4how that he was caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words which [it is] not lawful for a man to utter. (2 Cor. 12:1‑4)
a thorn.
Gen. 32:25,31•  (Gen. 32:25,31)
;
Judg. 2:3•  (Judg. 2:3)
;
Ezek. 28:24•  (Ezek. 28:24)
;
Gal. 4:13• 13but ye know that in weakness of the flesh I preached to you the first time; (Gal. 4:13)
the messenger.
Job 2:7•  (Job 2:7)
;
Luke 13:16• 16And this [woman] who is a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo [these] eighteen years, ought she not to be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day? (Luke 13:16)
;
1 Cor. 5:5• 5to deliver such an one to Satan for destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (1 Cor. 5:5)
to buffet.
Matt. 26:67• 67{i}Then they spit in his face, and buffeted him, and some struck him with the palms of their hand,{/i} (Matt. 26:67)
;
1 Cor. 4:11• 11Until the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are naked and are buffeted and are homeless wanderers, (1 Cor. 4:11)
• Hence, lest by the excess of the revelations he should be uplifted, there was given him what was alike painful and humbling. (“Notes on 2 Corinthians 12:7-10” by W. Kelly)
• To be near God in the glory, as out of the body, does not puff up. All is Christ, and Christ is all: self is forgotten. To have been there is another thing. The presence of God makes us feel our nothingness. The flesh can avail itself of our having been in it, when we are no longer there. (“2 Corinthians 12” by J.N. Darby)
• God left this task to Satan, as He used him for the humiliation of Job. Whatever graces may be bestowed on us, we must go through the ordinary exercises of personal faith, in which the heart only walks safely when the flesh is bridled. (“2 Corinthians 12” by J.N. Darby)
• Thorn if not “stake” for the flesh, sent to make nothing of him in the eyes of others, rendering him contemptible, it would seem from elsewhere in his preaching. (“Notes on 2 Corinthians 12:7-10” by W. Kelly)
• What the thorn in the flesh was in Paul's case is purposely left undetermined, even if one may gather more or less its nature; but its moral aim, its intended effect, cannot be doubted. (“Notes on 2 Corinthians 12:7-10” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

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7
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 buffetf me, that I might not be exalted.

JND Translation Notes

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f
As Matt. 26.67

W. Kelly Translation

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7
And that I should not be uplifted by the exceeding greatness of the revelationsa, there was given to me thornb for the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, that I might not be uplifted overmuchc.

WK Translation Notes

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a
Some MSS. add "wherefore." There is extraordinary irregularity in the expression if we adopt that reading.
b
Or, "stake."
c
The last clause, "that I might not be exalted," is omitted by the best MSS., but it can hardly be doubted that it was added in error to correct a supposed repetition, which was meant for emphasis. This is an instructive fact.