2 Corinthians 12:7

5 I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses.

6 Even if I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me,

or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.

9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
KJV
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.
WEB
By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, a thorn in the flesh was given to me: a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.
ASV
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.
DARBY
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.
BLB
and the surpassingness of the revelations. Therefore, so that I should not be over-exalted, a thorn in [my] flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me, so that I should not be over-exalted.
ÅB
Og for at jeg ikke skal opphøye meg av de høye åpenbarelser, er det gitt meg en torn i kjødet, en Satans engel, for at han skal slå meg, så jeg ikke skal opphøye meg.
OTB
På grunn av åpenbaringenes ekstraordinære storhet, for å hindre meg fra å bli hovmodig, ble en torn i kjødet gitt meg, en Satans engel for å plage meg—for å hindre meg fra å bli hovmodig!
B1930
Og forat jeg ikke skal ophøie mig av de høie åpenbarelser, er det gitt mig en torn i kjødet, en Satans engel, forat han skal slå mig, så jeg ikke skal ophøie mig.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Numbers 33:55

    But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides; they will harass you in the land where you settle.

    Read in context
  • Judges 2:3

    So now I tell you that I will not drive out these people before you; they will be thorns in your sides, and their gods will be a snare to you.”

    Read in context
  • 2 Chronicles 32:25–26

    But because his heart was proud, Hezekiah did not repay the favor shown to him. Therefore wrath came upon him and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

    Read in context
  • Galatians 4:13

    You know that it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you.

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 5:5

    hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.

    Read in context
  • Genesis 32:31

    The sun rose above him as he passed by Penuel, and he was limping because of his hip.

    Read in context
  • Daniel 5:20

    But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him.

    Read in context
  • 1 Timothy 3:6

    He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil.

    Read in context