2 Corinthians 12:7 (KJV)

Passage

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.

Nearby Context

2 Corinthians 12:5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities.

2 Corinthians 12:6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me.

2 Corinthians 12:7 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.

2 Corinthians 12:8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

2 Corinthians 12:9 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.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "lest", "should", "exalted", "above", "measure", "through", "abundance", and "revelations". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "lest" and "should", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 6's "For though I would desire to glory..." into verse 8's "For this thing I besought the Lord...", so "lest" and "should" belong inside that flow. In 2 Corinthians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "lest" and "should" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.