Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Corinthians 12:8

"Concerning this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me." — 2 Corinthians 12:8 (ASV)

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice.—We are reminded of our Lord’s threefold prayer in Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36; Luke 22:42–45). Was St. Paul himself reminded of it? There also the answer to the prayer was not compliance with its petition, but the gift of strength to bear and to endure.