2 Corinthians 12:7

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

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.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Καὶ τῇ ὑπερβολῇ τῶν ἀποκαλύψεων ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι, ἐδόθη μοι σκόλοψ τῇ σαρκί, ἄγγελος Σατᾶν ἵνα με κολαφίζῃ, ἵνα μὴ ὑπεραίρωμαι.

Transliteration

And by the hyperbolē of the apokalypseon hina mē hyperairōmai, edothē to me skolops in the sarki, angelos Satan hina me kolaphizē, hina mē hyperairōmai.

Grammar Details

*hyperbolē*: dative, feminine, singular - excess/excellence/extraordinary nature
*apokalypseon*: genitive, feminine, plural - of revelations
*hina*: conjunction - so that/in order that
*mē*: negative particle - not
*hyperairōmai*: present subjunctive, middle/passive, 1st singular - I might be exalted/lifted up
*edothē*: aorist passive, 3rd singular - was given
*skolops*: nominative, masculine, singular - thorn/stake/splinter
*sarki*: dative, feminine, singular - in flesh/body
*angelos*: nominative, masculine, singular - messenger/angel
*Satan*: genitive, masculine, singular - of Satan
*kolaphizē*: present subjunctive, active, 3rd singular - he might buffet/strike

Word Meanings

*hyperbolē*: excess/excellence/extraordinary degree
*apokalypseon*: revelations/disclosures/unveilings
*hyperairōmai*: I might be exalted/I might be lifted up/I might become conceited
*skolops*: thorn/stake/splinter/sharp point
*sarki*: flesh/body/physical nature
*angelos*: messenger/angel
*kolaphizē*: to buffet/to strike with fist/to harass

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

🔄 Compare with

ESVNIVCSBNLTNASBNET

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

1 Cor 5:5 : 5 to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Dan 5:20 : 20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
Num 33:55 : 55 But if ye will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then shall those that ye let remain of them be as pricks in your eyes, and as thorns in your sides, and they shall vex you in the land wherein ye dwell.
Judg 2:3 : 3 Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall be [as thorns] in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you.
2 Chr 26:16 : 16 But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up, so that he did corruptly, and he trespassed against Jehovah his God; for he went into the temple of Jehovah to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
2 Chr 32:25-26 : 25 But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem. 26 Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of Jehovah came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.
2 Chr 32:31 : 31 Howbeit in [the business of] the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.
Job 2:7 : 7 So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
Ezek 28:24 : 24 And there shall be no more a pricking brier unto the house of Israel, nor a hurting thorn of any that are round about them, that did despite unto them; and they shall know that I am the Lord Jehovah.
Deut 8:14 : 14 then thy heart be lifted up, and thou forget Jehovah thy God, who brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage;
Deut 17:20 : 20 that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children, in the midst of Israel.
Gal 4:13 : 13 but ye know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you the first time:
1 Tim 3:6 : 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
2 Cor 10:5 : 5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ;
2 Cor 11:20 : 20 For ye bear with a man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth you, if he taketh you [captive], if he exalteth himself, if he smiteth you on the face.
Matt 26:67 : 67 Then did they spit in his face and buffet him: and some smote him with the palms of their hands,
Luke 13:16 : 16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan had bound, lo, [these] eighteen {G2532} {G3638} years, to have been loosed from this bond on the day of the sabbath?
1 Cor 4:11 : 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;
Gen 32:25 : 25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was strained, as he wrestled with him.
Gen 32:31 : 31 And the sun rose upon him as he passed over Penuel, and he limped upon his thigh.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

2 Cor 12:8-13
6 verses
87%
8Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9And he hath said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for [my] power is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
11I am become foolish: {G2744} ye compelled me; for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing was I behind the very chiefest apostles, though {G2532} I am nothing.
12Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works.
13For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the churches, except {G3361} [it be] that I myself was not a burden to you? forgive me this wrong.
2 Cor 12:1-6
6 verses
80%
1I must needs glory, though it is not expedient; but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2I know a man in Christ, {G4253} fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven.
3And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth),
4how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
5On behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save {G3361} in [my] weaknesses.
6For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me [to be], or heareth {G5100} from me.
2 Cor 11:28-30
3 verses
74%
28Besides those things that are without, there is that which presseth upon me {G2596} daily, anxiety for all the churches.
29Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is caused to stumble, and I burn not?
30If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things that concern my weakness.
2 Cor 10:8-9
2 verses
70%
8For though {G5037} I should glory {G2532} somewhat abundantly concerning our authority (which the Lord gave {G2254} for building you up, and not for casting you down), I shall not be put to shame:
9that I may not seem as if I would terrify you by my letters.
1 Cor 9:27
70%
27but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, {G4458} after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.
2 Cor 4:7
70%
7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves;
2 Cor 11:16-17
2 verses
70%
16I say again, let no man think me {G1511} foolish; but if [ye do], yet as foolish receive me, that {G2504} I also may glory a little.
17That which I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of glorying.
2 Cor 11:5
70%
5For I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
2 Cor 13:10
70%
10For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not when present deal sharply, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for casting down.
Gal 4:13-14
2 verses
69%
13but ye know that because of an infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you the first time:
14and that which was a temptation to you in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but ye received me as an angel of God, [even] as Christ Jesus.
2 Cor 2:11-12
2 verses
69%
11that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
12Now when I came to Troas for the gospel of Christ, and when a door was opened unto me in the Lord,
2 Tim 3:11
69%
11persecutions, sufferings. What things befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.
2 Cor 7:4
69%
4Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying on your behalf: I am filled with comfort, I overflow with joy in all our affliction.
2 Cor 10:1-2
2 verses
69%
1Now I Paul myself entreat you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I who in your presence am lowly among you, but being absent am of good courage toward you:
2yea, I beseech you, that I may not when present show courage with the confidence wherewith I count to be bold against some, who count of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
Eph 3:8
69%
8Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
2 Cor 11:7
69%
7Or did I commit a sin in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I preached to you the gospel of God for nought?
Eph 3:13
69%
13Wherefore I ask that ye may not faint at my tribulations for you, which are your glory.
1 Cor 15:9-10
2 verses
69%
9For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
10But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
1 Cor 9:15
69%
15But I have used none of these things: and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case; for [it were] good for me rather to die, {G2570} than that any man should make my glorifying void.
1 Cor 5:5
69%
5to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
1 Cor 4:6
69%
6Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not [to go] beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other.
2 Cor 1:8
69%
8For we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning our affliction which befell [us] in Asia, that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power, insomuch that we despaired even of life:
2 Cor 11:10
68%
10As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this glorying in the regions of Achaia.
2 Cor 2:6
68%
6Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was [inflicted] by the many;
1 Thess 3:5
68%
5For this cause I also, when I could no longer forbear, sent that I might know your faith, lest by any means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor should be in vain.
2 Cor 11:1
68%
1Would that ye could bear with me in a little foolishness: but indeed ye do bear with me.
1 Tim 1:16
68%
16but for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me as chief might Jesus Christ show forth all his longsuffering, for a ensample of them that should thereafter believe on him unto eternal life.
Phil 1:30
68%
30having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
Gal 1:12
67%
12For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but [it came to me] through revelation of Jesus Christ.
Rom 15:17
67%
17I have therefore my glorifying in Christ Jesus in things pertaining to God.
2 Cor 7:12
67%
12So although {G2532} I wrote unto you, I [wrote] not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that your earnest care for us might be made manifest unto you in the sight of God.
1 Cor 10:12
67%
12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.