2 Corinthians 12:8

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice Literally, Concerning this. For the word translated besoughtsee ch. 2 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 8:6, and 2 Corinthians 12:18 of this chapter. With St Paul's prayer here compare Matthew 26:39-44 and the parallel passages in the other Gospels. It is not wrong to offer such petitions, or our Lord would not have done so. But humanity in its weakness often shrinks from trials which God in His wisdom knows to be best for it. The only requisite for such prayers is that they shall be offered in a spirit of submission to a Higher Will. Dean Stanley remarks on St Paul's vivid sense of a Personal Lord, to Whom all difficulties may be taken, and Who never fails to answer such appeals.

the Lord Jesus Christ. We may compare St Paul's invocation of his Master with that of St Stephen. See Acts 7:59, and cf. St Luke 23:46.

that it might depart Or hemight depart. See above.