John Calvin 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. Here, also, the number three is used to indicate frequent repetition. He means, however, to suggest that he had found this annoyance distressing, since he had so frequently prayed to be spared it.

For if it had been slight, or easy to endure, he would not have been so eager to be freed from it; and yet he says that he had not obtained this. Therefore, it appears how much he needed to be humbled. He confirms, therefore, what he had said previously — that he had, by means of this bridle, been kept from being arrogant; for if being relieved of it had been to his advantage, he would never have been refused.

It may seem, however, to follow from this that Paul had not at all prayed in faith, if we are not to nullify all the promises of God. “We read everywhere in Scripture that we will obtain whatever we ask in faith: Paul prays, and does not obtain.” I answer that as there are different ways of asking, so there are different ways of obtaining.

We ask in simple terms for those things for which we have an express promise — as, for example, the perfecting of God’s kingdom, and the hallowing of his name (Matthew 6:9), the remission of our sins, and everything that is advantageous to us. But when we think that the kingdom of God can, indeed must be advanced, in this or that particular way, and that this or that thing is necessary for the hallowing of his name, we are often mistaken.

Likewise, we often fall into a serious mistake about what truly promotes our own well-being. Therefore, we ask for these former things confidently and without any reservation, while it is not for us to dictate the means. If, however, we specify the means, there is always a condition implied, though not expressed.

Now Paul was certainly not ignorant of this. Therefore, regarding the object of his prayer, there can be no doubt that he was heard, although he was refused regarding the specific form.

This admonishes us not to become discouraged, as if our prayers were wasted effort, when God does not grant our specific requests, but that we must be satisfied with his grace, that is, in that we are not forsaken by him. For the reason he sometimes mercifully refuses to his own people what, in his wrath, he grants to the wicked, is this — that he foresees better than our own understanding can grasp what is truly beneficial for us.