2 COR 12:7 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT And because of the surpassing nature of the revelations, therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me—a messenger of Satan—so that he might buffet me, so that I would not become arrogant.[fn]

Some ancient manuscripts do not include so that I would not become arrogant.

UST So then, in order that I might not become proud because God revealed such great things to me, he allowed me to suffer. Specifically, a spiritual being whom Satan sent made me suffer. That way, I might not become proud.

12:7 Some translators end the previous paragraph after verse 6, and begin verse 7 with So to keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations,

BLB and the surpassingness of the revelations. Therefore, that I should not become conceited, a thorn in my flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me, so that I should not become conceited.

AICNT And {because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become conceited, a thorn in the flesh was given to me},[fn] an angel of Satan, to torment me, so that I would not become conceited.

12:7, Later manuscripts read “And to keep me from being too elated because of the abundance of revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh.” BYZ TR

OEB It was for this reason, and to prevent my thinking too highly of myself, that a thorn was sent to pierce my flesh – an instrument of Satan to discipline me – so that I should not think too highly of myself.

WEBBE 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.

WMBB (Same as above)

MSG ^(7-10)Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn’t get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan’s angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn’t think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it’s all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
* * *

NET even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me – so that I would not become arrogant.

LSV and that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might not be exalted too much, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he might batter me, that I might not be exalted too much.

FBV Also, because these revelations were so amazingly great, and so that I wouldn't become proud, I was given a “thorn in my flesh”[fn]—a messenger from Satan to hurt me so that I wouldn't become proud.

12:7 Probably some physical problem in Paul's body.

TCNT And to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations I received, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me so that I would not become conceited.

T4T In order that I might not become proud because of those many wonderful things that Christ revealed to me, God permitted Satan to send a messenger to humble me (OR, to make me sick). What that messenger did to me was painful, like [MET] a thorn pricking my body.

LEB even because of the extraordinary degree of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, in order that it would torment me so that I would not exalt myself.

BBE And because the revelations were so very great, in order that I might not be overmuch lifted up, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, one sent from Satan to give me pain.

Moff My wealth of visions might have puffed me up, so I was given a thorn in the flesh, an angel of Satan to rack me and keep me from being puffed up;

Wymth And judging by the stupendous grandeur of the revelations—therefore lest I should be over-elated there has been sent to me, like the agony of impalement, Satan's angel dealing blow after blow, lest I should be over-elated.

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.

DRA And lest the greatness of the revelations should exalt me, there was given me a sting of my flesh, an angel of Satan, to buffet me.

YLT and that by the exceeding greatness of the revelations I might not be exalted overmuch, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of the Adversary, that he might buffet me, that I might not be exalted overmuch.

Drby 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.

RV And by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations—wherefore, 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.

SLT And lest I be lifted up by the eminence of Revelation, a thorn in the flesh was given me, a messenger of Satan, that he might cuff me, lest I be lifted up.

Wbstr 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.

KJB-1769 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.

KJB-1611 And least I should bee exalted aboue measure through the abundance of the reuelations, there was giuen to me a thorne in the flesh, the messenger of Sathan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted aboue measure.
(And least 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.)

Bshps And lest I shoulde be exalted out of measure through the aboundaunce of the reuelations, there was geuen vnto me a pricke to the fleshe, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, because I should not be exalted out of measure.
(And lest I should be exalted out of measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given unto me a pricke to the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, because I should not be exalted out of measure.)

Gnva And lest I should be exalted out of measure through the aboundance of reuelations, there was giuen vnto me a pricke in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet mee, because I should not be exalted out of measure.
(And lest I should be exalted out of measure through the abundance of revelations, there was given unto me a pricke in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, because I should not be exalted out of measure. )

Cvdl And lest I shulde exalte my selfe out of measure because of the hye reuelacions, there is a warnynge geuen vnto my flesh, euen ye messaunger of Satan, to buffet me, that I shulde not exalte my selfe out off measure:
(And lest I should exalt myself out of measure because of the high revelations, there is a warning given unto my flesh, even ye/you_all messaunger of Satan, to buffet me, that I should not exalt myself out off measure:)

TNT And lest I shuld be exalted out of measure thorow the aboundance of revelacions ther was geven vnto me vnquyetnes of the flesshe the messenger of Satan to buffet me: be cause I shuld not be exalted out of measure
(And lest I should be exalted out of measure through the abundance of revelacions there was given unto me unquyetnes of the flesh the messenger of Satan to buffet me: be cause I should not be exalted out of measure )

Wycl And lest the greetnesse of reuelaciouns enhaunse me in pride, the pricke of my fleisch, an aungel of Sathanas, is youun to me, that he buffate me.
(And lest the greatness of revelations enhance me in pride, the pricke of my flesh, an angel of Satan, is given to me, that he buffate me.)

Luth Und auf daß ich mich nicht der hoher Offenbarung überhebe, ist mir gegeben ein Pfahl ins Fleisch, nämlich des Satanas Engel, der mich mit Fäusten schlage, auf daß ich mich nicht überhebe.
(And on/in/to that I me not the/of_the higher revelation abovehebe, is to_me given a Pfahl into_the flesh, namely the Satanas angel, the/of_the me with fists hit/beat, on/in/to that I me not abovehebe.)

ClVg Et ne magnitudo revelationum extollat me, datus est mihi stimulus carnis meæ angelus Satanæ, qui me colaphizet.[fn]
(And not magnitudo revelationum extollat me, given it_is to_me stimulus of_flesh my messenger/angel Satanæ, who/which me colaphizet. )

12.7 Et ne magnitudo. Parco multum gloriari, ne alter puter. Et ideo datus est stimulus pungens carnem. Quis? angelus malignus missus a Satana, ut colaphizet, id est reprimat omnem motum superbiæ incutiendo tribulationes, vel tentando (ut quidam aiunt) per libidinem. Tentatio autem cui non consentitur, non est peccatum, sed materia exercendæ virtutis.

12.7 And not magnitudo. Parco a_lot to_boast, not the_other puter. And therefore/for_that_reason given it_is stimulus pungens the_flesh. Who? messenger/angel malignus missus from Satana, as colaphizet, that it_is reprimat all movement pride incutiendo tribulations, or tentando (as some they_say) through lustm. Tentatio however to_whom not/no consentitur, not/no it_is sin, but materia exercendæ of_virtue.

UGNT καὶ τῇ ὑπερβολῇ τῶν ἀποκαλύψεων, διὸ ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι, ἐδόθη μοι σκόλοψ τῇ σαρκί, ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ, ἵνα με κολαφίζῃ, ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι.
(kai taʸ huperbolaʸ tōn apokalupseōn, dio hina maʸ huperairōmai, edothaʸ moi skolops taʸ sarki, angelos Satana, hina me kolafizaʸ, hina maʸ huperairōmai.)

SBL-GNT καὶ τῇ ὑπερβολῇ τῶν ἀποκαλύψεων. ⸀διὸ ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι, ἐδόθη μοι σκόλοψ τῇ σαρκί, ἄγγελος ⸀Σατανᾶ, ἵνα με κολαφίζῃ, ⸂ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι⸃.
(kai taʸ huperbolaʸ tōn apokalupseōn. ⸀dio hina maʸ huperairōmai, edothaʸ moi skolops taʸ sarki, angelos ⸀Satana, hina me kolafizaʸ, ⸂hina maʸ huperairōmai⸃.)

RP-GNT Καὶ τῇ ὑπερβολῇ τῶν ἀποκαλύψεων ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι, ἐδόθη μοι σκόλοψ τῇ σαρκί, ἄγγελος Σατᾶν, ἵνα με κολαφίζῃ, ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι.
(Kai taʸ huperbolaʸ tōn apokalupseōn hina maʸ huperairōmai, edothaʸ moi skolops taʸ sarki, angelos Satan, hina me kolafizaʸ, hina maʸ huperairōmai.)

TC-GNT Καὶ τῇ ὑπερβολῇ τῶν ἀποκαλύψεων [fn]ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι, ἐδόθη μοι σκόλοψ τῇ σαρκί, ἄγγελος [fn]Σατᾶν, ἵνα με κολαφίζῃ, ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι.
(Kai taʸ huperbolaʸ tōn apokalupseōn hina maʸ huperairōmai, edothaʸ moi skolops taʸ sarki, angelos Satan, hina me kolafizaʸ, hina maʸ huperairōmai. )

12:7 ινα ¦ διο ινα CT

12:7 σαταν ¦ σατανα CT

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 12:1–10: Paul’s vision and God’s promise to him

In this section, Paul continued boasting, but now about a vision he received (12:1). He spoke of a man who had seen into heaven through a vision (12:2). He indicated in 12:7 that he was the man who had seen the vision. But he spoke of another man to avoid sounding as if he was boasting. He did not want people to stop honoring him because he had seen that vision. He was not sure whether his body had been taken to heaven or whether it was only a vision (12:3). In the vision he saw amazing things (12:4). He told the Corinthians that regarding himself, he would only boast of his weaknesses (12:5). He explained why he normally avoided speaking of that vision (12:6).

Paul told of a physical ailment and why he had it (12:7). He told them that he had prayed that God would heal it (12:8). But God had said that he would not heal it. He promised that his grace would be enough to help Paul in all that he did (12:9a). God said that having that physical ailment would help show that God’s power was working though Paul (12:9b). So Paul was glad to boast in this weakness (12:9c), because when he was weak, then God’s power was strong (12:9d). He explained why he was happy when trouble occurred (12:10).

Other examples for this section heading are:

Paul’s Vision and His Thorn (NIV)

Paul discovered that God’s grace was sufficient when he was weak

God’s grace and power shown through human weakness

12:7a

or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited,

¶ And/But in order that I might not become too proud because of those very wonderful revelations,
¶ I had those surpassingly great revelations, so to prevent me from setting myself above others,

or: The Greek conjunction that the BSB translates as or indicates that Paul continues talking about revelations from God but now identifies himself as the man who received these revelations. This conjunction is commonly translated as “and.”

There is some contrast to Paul boasting about his experiences (12:6a–c), so the GNT says:

But (GNT)

In some languages it is more natural to allow the context to indicate the connection and omit this conjunction.

because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited: In the Greek, the phrase because of these surpassingly great revelations occurs at the beginning of the verse. English versions interpret in two different ways how this phrase connects to the context:

It connects to the rest of 12:7a. For example:
But to keep me from being puffed up with pride because of the many wonderful things I saw (GNT) (BSB, RSV, NIV, GNT, NASB, REB, NCV, ESV, KJV)
It connects to 12:6d–f (“But I refrain, so no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me”). For example:
^6dBut I refrain from it, ^6eso that no one may think better of me ^6fthan what is seen in me or heard from me, ^7aeven considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated (NRSV) (NJB, NIV11, NRSV, NABRE, NLT, CEV, GW, NET)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).Harris (p. 828), Thrall (p. 772), and Barrett (p. 305), translate according to interpretation (1). Thrall takes over two pages to describe the problem and her reasoning for choosing interpretation (1).

to keep me from: The verb phrase keep…from refers here to preventing something. God allowed a physical ailment to affect Paul to prevent him from being conceited. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

in order to prevent my (JBP)

So that I would not become (NCV)

in order that I might not

becoming conceited: This phrase refers to being overly proud of oneself. Paul, after seeing Paradise, might have become too proud because he had seen it. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

exalting myself (NASB)

feel too proud (CEV)

become arrogant (NET)

these surpassingly great revelations: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the BSB translates as surpassingly great:

It indicates that the revelations were very great. For example:
the exceptional greatness of the revelations (NJB) (BSB, NIV, NJB, NRSV, NASB, NLT, CEV, NET, REB, NCV, ESV)
It indicates that there were very many revelations. For example:
the abundance of revelations (RSV) (RSV, NABRE, GW, KJV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).Harris (p. 828) translates the Greek phrase as “the extraordinary nature of the revelations.” Thrall (p. 772) translates it as “the extraordinary quality of the revelations.” Martin (p. 388) translates it as “the extraordinary revelations.” The GNT (“many wonderful”) interprets the Greek word both ways, but this seems unlikely here.

these: This word indicates that Paul was speaking of the revelations in 12:2–4.

surpassingly great: The Greek word that the BSB translates surpassingly great means “beyond measure, to the extreme, exceptional.” Other ways to translate the Greek word are:

extraordinary character (NET)

magnificence (REB)

General Comment on 12:7a

The reason occurs second here. In some languages it is more natural to have the reason first. For example:

I had these surpassingly great revelations, so to keep me from becoming conceited

12:7b

I was given a thorn in my flesh,

a thorn in my body was given to me,
God allowed me to suffer an ailment in my body.

I was given a thorn: This clause is passive. God allowed Satan to give the thorn to Paul. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

God allowed a thorn to torment me

thorn: This is a metaphor. It probably refers to a physical ailment or continuous suffering of some kind. Paul never explained exactly what the thorn was.

In some languages a literal translation would wrongly refer only to an actual thorn. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. For example:
The word “thorn” is a metaphor. It probably refers to a physical ailment or suffering of some kind.
Explain the meaning in your translation. For example:
thorn, namely, this suffering I endure
Translate the meaning without the metaphor. For example:
suffering

in my flesh: This phrase refers to Paul’s body. For example:

in my body

12:7c

a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

a messenger sent by Satan to make me suffer. This was to keep me from becoming too proud.
It was like a messenger whom Satan sent to hit me again and again. As I said, the purpose of this suffering was to prevent me from setting myself above others.

a messenger of Satan: This phrase explains the phrase “a thorn in my flesh.” The word messenger could refer to:

A demon tormenting Paul’s body in some way.
A metaphor for the suffering. Satan caused Paul to suffer in some way.

Translate in a way that allows either one or both of these meanings.

Satan: The word Satan is the Hebrew name of the chief or leader of all the evil spirits. In Hebrew his name means “enemy.” He is the enemy of God and God’s people. Translate this word as you did in 2:11 and 11:14.

to torment me.: Paul repeated the phrase (“to keep me from becoming conceited,” 12:7a) here to emphasize that meaning. The BSB chose not to repeat it here. That meaning is more important than who was tormenting him. Paul realized that God’s purpose for this suffering was to keep Paul humble. Other ways to translate this emphasis are:

to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! (NASB)

to torment me. As I said, this was to keep me from becoming conceited.

Translate “to keep me from becoming conceited” as you did in 12:7a.

torment: This word refers to hitting someone or causing someone pain in some way over a period of time. Other ways to translate this word are:

beat (GNT)

make…suffer (CEV)

cause pain

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

καὶ τῇ ὑπερβολῇ τῶν ἀποκαλύψεων, διὸ ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί τῇ ὑπερβολῇ τῶν ἀποκαλύψεων διό ἵνα μή ὑπεραίρωμαι ἐδόθη μοί σκόλοψ τῇ σαρκί ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ ἵνα μέ κολαφίζῃ ἵνα μή ὑπεραίρωμαι)

Here, the phrase because of the surpassing nature of the revelations could go with: (1) this verse. In this case, the word therefore is in an unusual position in the middle of the sentence, and you may need to move it to the beginning of the sentence. Alternate translation: [Therefore, because of the surpassing nature of revelations, so that I would not become super arrogant] (2) the end of the previous verse. If you follow this interpretation, you will need to end the previous verse with no punctuation. Alternate translation: [and also because of the surpassing nature of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become super arrogant]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

τῇ ὑπερβολῇ τῶν ἀποκαλύψεων

˱by˲_the excess ˱of˲_the revelations

Here Paul uses the possessive form to describe the revelations as surpassing. He could mean that the revelations: (1) were very great. Alternate translation: [because of how amazing the revelations were] (2) were very many. Alternate translation: [because of how many revelations I received]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἐδόθη μοι σκόλοψ τῇ σαρκί

˓was˒_given (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί τῇ ὑπερβολῇ τῶν ἀποκαλύψεων διό ἵνα μή ὑπεραίρωμαι ἐδόθη μοί σκόλοψ τῇ σαρκί ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ ἵνα μέ κολαφίζῃ ἵνα μή ὑπεραίρωμαι)

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, it is clear from the context that it was God. Alternate translation: [God gave me a thorn in the flesh]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

σκόλοψ τῇ σαρκί

˓a˒_thorn ˱in˲_my flesh

Here Paul speaks as if a thorn was stabbing him in the flesh. He could mean that: (1) he had a sickness or ailment that affected his flesh, that is, his body. Alternate translation: [a thorn in the flesh, that is, sickness,] (2) people opposed him and his ministry. Alternate translation: [a thorn in the flesh, that is, people opposing me,] (3) a demon attacked him. Alternate translation: [a thorn in the flesh, that is, a demon,]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ

˓a˒_messenger ˱of˲_Satan

Here Paul refers to a messenger or angel that came from or was sent by Satan, the devil. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [Satan’s angel] or [someone sent by Satan]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

κολαφίζῃ

˱he˲_˓may_be˒_tormenting

Here Paul speaks as if the messenger of Satan were physically buffeting or hitting him. He means that the messenger caused him to suffer in some physical way. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in plain language. Alternate translation: [he might hurt]

Note 7 topic: translate-textvariants

(Occurrence 2) ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι

in_order_that in_order_that (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Καί τῇ ὑπερβολῇ τῶν ἀποκαλύψεων διό ἵνα μή ὑπεραίρωμαι ἐδόθη μοί σκόλοψ τῇ σαρκί ἄγγελος Σατανᾶ ἵνα μέ κολαφίζῃ ἵνα μή ὑπεραίρωμαι)

Here most ancient manuscripts include the clause so that I would not become super arrogant. The ULT follows that reading. Some ancient manuscripts do not have this clause. Most likely, this clause was accidentally omitted because Paul had already said it once. So, it is recommended that you use the reading of the ULT.

Parallel 2 COR 12:7

Section 12:1–10: Paul’s vision and God’s promise to him

12:7a

General Comment on 12:7a

12:7b

12:7c

Parallel 2 COR 12:7