Normally Paul meant Jesus Christ when he used the title "the Lord." There are other scriptural examples of believers addressing their prayers to the second person of the Trinity ( Acts 1:24; Acts 7:59). However normally they addressed the Father in the name of the Son with the Spirit"s help (e.g, Ephesians 2:18). Here "Lord" definitely means God, and probably it means Jesus with emphasis on His being Paul"s master (cf. Acts 9:5). The fact that Paul repeated his petition three times shows how intensely he wanted God to remove his affliction, like Jesus in Gethsemane. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
2 Corinthians 12:1-10 - The Secret Of Strength
It is a sublime phrase-a man in Christ. We reach our full stature only when we are in Him. We are but fragments of manhood until the true man is formed in us. Of course the presence of Jesus is always with us, but its manifestation is reserved for special emergencies, when it is peculiarly needed. It is thought that this supreme revelation was synchronous with Paul's stoning at Lystra, Acts 14:1-28. While the poor body was being mangled, his spirit was in the third heaven, that is, in Paradise. What a contrast between being let down in a basket and being caught up into glory! How indifferent to the derisions of men is the soul that lives in God!
We do not know what this thorn, or stake, was-whether eye trouble, or imperfect utterance, or some deformity in appearance-but it was the source of much suffering and many temptations. At first Paul prayed for its removal, but as soon as he learned that its continuance was the condition of receiving additional grace, he not only accepted it, but even gloried in its presence. May we not believe that all disabilities are permitted to drive us to realize and appropriate all that Jesus can be to the hard-pressed soul! [source]
Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 12
1For commending of his apostleship, though he might glory of his wonderful revelations, 9yet he rather chooses to glory of his infirmities; 11blaming the Corinthians for forcing him to this vain boasting 14He promises to come to them again; but yet altogether in the affection of a father; 20although he fears he shall to his grief find many offenders, and public disorders there
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 12:8
Concerning this thing [υπερ τουτου] More likely, “concerning this messenger of Satan.” [source]
That it might depart from me [ινα αποστηι απ εμου] Second aorist active (intransitive) subjunctive of απιστημι aphistēmi in final clause, “that he stand off from me for good.” [source]
For this thing [ὑπὲρ τούτου] Rev., concerning this thing. But it is better to refer this to messenger: concerning this or whom. For, of A.V., is ambiguous. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 12:8
Luke 8:38Besought [ἐδέετο] Imperfect: was beseeching. See on prayers, Luke 5:33. Rev., prayed. Beseech is used to render παρακαλέω (Mark 5:10). See on consolation, Luke 6:24. Παρακαλέω , beseech, is used of prayer to God in only one instance, 2 Corinthians 12:8, where Paul besought the Lord to remove the thorn in the flesh. Frequently or requests to Christ while on earth. Δεομαι , to pray, often of prayer to God (Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2; Acts 8:22). It is noticeable that in Luke 8:28, where the demons address Christ as the Son of the highest God, they say δέομαι , I pray. In Luke 8:31,Luke 8:32, where they ask not to be sent away, and to be allowed to enter into the swine, they say παρακαλέω , I beseech. The restored man, recognizing Jesus' divine power, prayed ( ἐδεῖτο ) to be with him. The distinction, however, must not be closely pressed. The two words seem to be often used interchangeably in the New Testament. [source]
2 Corinthians 10:2But I beseech you [δέομαι δὲ] In 2 Corinthians 10:1, παρακαλῶ is used for beseech. It is doubtful whether the two words can be strictly distinguished as indicating different degrees of feeling. It may be said that δέομαι and its kindred noun δέησις are frequently used of prayer to God, while παρακαλῶ occurs only twice in this sense, Matthew 26:53; 2 Corinthians 12:8. On the other hand, παρακαλῶ is used of God's pleading with men, while in the same passage δέομαι is used of men's entreating men; 2 Corinthians 5:20. Rev., in 2 Corinthians 10:1, renders entreat, which, according to older English usage, is the stronger word, meaning to prevail by entreaty, just as persuade, which originally meant to use persuasion, now signifies to prevail by persuasion. The construction of the passage is difficult. Literally it is: I pray the not showing courage when present, with the confidence, etc. The sense is: I pray you that you may not make it necessary for me to show, when I am present, that official peremptoriness which I am minded to show against those who charge me with unworthy motives. [source]
1 Timothy 4:1Shall depart from the faith [ἀποστήσονται τῆς πίστεως] The phrase only here. The verb in Paul only 2 Corinthians 12:8. Quite frequent in Luke and Acts. The kindred noun τασία (Acts 21:21; 2 Thessalonians 2:3) is almost literally transcribed in our apostasy. [source]
1 Timothy 4:1In later times [εν υστεροις καιροις] Old adjective (Matthew 21:31) usually as adverb, υστερον husteron (Matthew 4:2). Relative time from the prediction, now coming true (a present danger). Some shall fall away (αποστησονται τινες apostēsontai tines). Future middle of απιστημι aphistēmi intransitive use, shall stand off from, to fall away, apostatize (2 Corinthians 12:8). From the faith Ablative case (separation). Not creed, but faith in God through Christ. Giving heed (προσεχοντες prosechontes). Supply τον νουν ton noun (the mind) as in 1 Timothy 3:8. Seducing spirits Old adjective As substantive in 2 Corinthians 6:8. Probably some heathen or the worst of the Gnostics. Doctrines of devils (διδασκαλιαις δαιμονιων didaskaliais daimoniōn). “Teachings of δαιμονς daimons Definite explanation of the preceding. Cf. 1 Corinthians 10:20. [source]
1 Timothy 4:1Some shall fall away [αποστησονται τινες] Future middle of απιστημι aphistēmi intransitive use, shall stand off from, to fall away, apostatize (2 Corinthians 12:8). [source]
What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 12:8 mean?
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 12:8
More likely, “concerning this messenger of Satan.” [source]
Second aorist active (intransitive) subjunctive of απιστημι aphistēmi in final clause, “that he stand off from me for good.” [source]
Rev., concerning this thing. But it is better to refer this to messenger: concerning this or whom. For, of A.V., is ambiguous. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 12:8
Imperfect: was beseeching. See on prayers, Luke 5:33. Rev., prayed. Beseech is used to render παρακαλέω (Mark 5:10). See on consolation, Luke 6:24. Παρακαλέω , beseech, is used of prayer to God in only one instance, 2 Corinthians 12:8, where Paul besought the Lord to remove the thorn in the flesh. Frequently or requests to Christ while on earth. Δεομαι , to pray, often of prayer to God (Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2; Acts 8:22). It is noticeable that in Luke 8:28, where the demons address Christ as the Son of the highest God, they say δέομαι , I pray. In Luke 8:31, Luke 8:32, where they ask not to be sent away, and to be allowed to enter into the swine, they say παρακαλέω , I beseech. The restored man, recognizing Jesus' divine power, prayed ( ἐδεῖτο ) to be with him. The distinction, however, must not be closely pressed. The two words seem to be often used interchangeably in the New Testament. [source]
In 2 Corinthians 10:1, παρακαλῶ is used for beseech. It is doubtful whether the two words can be strictly distinguished as indicating different degrees of feeling. It may be said that δέομαι and its kindred noun δέησις are frequently used of prayer to God, while παρακαλῶ occurs only twice in this sense, Matthew 26:53; 2 Corinthians 12:8. On the other hand, παρακαλῶ is used of God's pleading with men, while in the same passage δέομαι is used of men's entreating men; 2 Corinthians 5:20. Rev., in 2 Corinthians 10:1, renders entreat, which, according to older English usage, is the stronger word, meaning to prevail by entreaty, just as persuade, which originally meant to use persuasion, now signifies to prevail by persuasion. The construction of the passage is difficult. Literally it is: I pray the not showing courage when present, with the confidence, etc. The sense is: I pray you that you may not make it necessary for me to show, when I am present, that official peremptoriness which I am minded to show against those who charge me with unworthy motives. [source]
The phrase only here. The verb in Paul only 2 Corinthians 12:8. Quite frequent in Luke and Acts. The kindred noun τασία (Acts 21:21; 2 Thessalonians 2:3) is almost literally transcribed in our apostasy. [source]
Old adjective (Matthew 21:31) usually as adverb, υστερον husteron (Matthew 4:2). Relative time from the prediction, now coming true (a present danger). Some shall fall away (αποστησονται τινες apostēsontai tines). Future middle of απιστημι aphistēmi intransitive use, shall stand off from, to fall away, apostatize (2 Corinthians 12:8). From the faith Ablative case (separation). Not creed, but faith in God through Christ. Giving heed (προσεχοντες prosechontes). Supply τον νουν ton noun (the mind) as in 1 Timothy 3:8. Seducing spirits Old adjective As substantive in 2 Corinthians 6:8. Probably some heathen or the worst of the Gnostics. Doctrines of devils (διδασκαλιαις δαιμονιων didaskaliais daimoniōn). “Teachings of δαιμονς daimons Definite explanation of the preceding. Cf. 1 Corinthians 10:20. [source]
Future middle of απιστημι aphistēmi intransitive use, shall stand off from, to fall away, apostatize (2 Corinthians 12:8). [source]