2 Corinthians 12:7 (GNV)

Passage

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.

Nearby Context

2 Corinthians 12:5 Of such a man will I reioyce: of my selfe will I not reioyce, except it bee of mine infirmities.

2 Corinthians 12:6 For though I woulde reioyce, I should not be a foole, for I will say the trueth: but I refraine, lest any man should thinke of me aboue that hee seeth in me, or that he heareth of me.

2 Corinthians 12:7 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.

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

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said vnto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my power is made perfect through weakenesse. Very gladly therefore will I reioyce rather in mine infirmities, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "lest", "should", "exalted", "measure", "through", "aboundance", "reuelations", and "giuen". 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 woulde reioyce I should..." 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.