Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Corinthians 12:8
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... read more
Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Corinthians 12:7
Others might live in awe of Paul because of the spectacular revelations they had heard he had received, but Paul himself was in no danger of becoming too impressed with himself. God had given him a "thorn" (Gr. skolops, better than "stake") in his flesh. This was a gracious gift from God, though it was unpleasant to Paul. It reminded him of his limitations and so kept him humble."In this passage there is a complete reversal of the religious pride and the religious triumphalism of the... read more