What Does 2 Corinthians 12:8 Mean?
For this I urged the Lord three times, that it might step away from me.
Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.
Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.
King James wording
King James Version
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.THE KEY
The request for release is spoken three times before the reply arrives, making repetition part of the prayer itself.
THE MEANING
A burden that has not lifted is named plainly before the Lord, and the plea for release is spoken three times. Repetition remains visible here before the answer appears in the next verse.
THE ROOT
ἀφίστημι
aphistēmi
GROWS FROM
ἵστημι
histēmi
To stand, set, or place.
“step away” in this verse is aphistēmi. The word translated “depart” carries the picture of standing away: the speaker asks for the thing to withdraw from him. The same root forms words for standing in place and rising up, so the direction of movement comes from the added prefix.
ALSO GROWS
stasis: Standing, position
στάσις
This branch keeps the root’s sense of a stance or place in view; the request is for the burden to take its position away from the speaker.
anistēmi: Stand up, rise
ἀνίστημι
The same root can describe rising; here the prefix instead gives the requested movement its direction away.
παρακαλέω
parakaleō
GROWS FROM
καλέω
kaleō
To call, summon, or invite.
“urged” in this verse is parakaleō. The word translated “besought” is an appeal or urging, built from the family of καλέω (kaleō), “to call.” The Greek family also carries the sense of consolation, so the plea is addressed speech within a relationship that includes support.
ALSO GROWS
kaleō: Call, summon, invite
καλέω
The appeal is directed toward someone; this is not merely an unspoken wish for relief.
paraklēsis: Appeal, consolation
παράκλησις
This related word holds both appeal and consolation, showing how the language of asking and the language of support share a word-family.
THE PATTERN
When distress persists, prayer can voice the wish for it to be gone more than once.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?And he went a little farther, and fell upon his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass by me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.He went away again a second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup cannot pass by me unless I drink it, your will be done.THE THREAD
And he said to me, "My favor is enough for you, for strength is carried to its end in weakness." Most gladly, then, I will boast all the more in my weaknesses, so that the strength of the Anointed One may pitch its tent over me.Verse 8 asks for the thorn to depart; verse 9 speaks of strength in weakness and power resting upon the speaker. The requested absence meets an unexpected presence: the reply describes what rests upon the very person who asks for release.
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