What Does 2 Corinthians 12:8 Mean in the King James?
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
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.
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.
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 wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.THE THREAD
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon 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.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us