2 Corinthians 12 2

2 Corinthians 12:2 kjv

I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

2 Corinthians 12:2 nkjv

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago?whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows?such a one was caught up to the third heaven.

2 Corinthians 12:2 niv

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know?God knows.

2 Corinthians 12:2 esv

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven ? whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.

2 Corinthians 12:2 nlt

I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don't know ? only God knows.

2 Corinthians 12 verses

2 Corinthians 12 2 Meaning

The Apostle Paul recounts a profoundly unique spiritual experience that occurred fourteen years prior. He speaks of himself in the third person, as "a man in Christ," who was caught up, or snatched away, into the "third heaven." This verse highlights the mysterious nature of this divine encounter, as Paul explicitly states his own ignorance as to whether the experience occurred physically in his body or outside of it, concluding with the humble declaration that "God knows." The account serves to authenticate Paul's apostleship and divine revelations, albeit presented with deliberate humility to avoid personal glory.

2 Corinthians 12 2 Context

The verse stands within a highly personal and apologetic section of 2 Corinthians where Paul is reluctantly compelled to "boast." False apostles in Corinth were challenging Paul's apostolic authority, possibly by boasting about their own spiritual experiences, eloquence, or Jewish heritage. Paul counters by contrasting their empty boasting with his own authentic, though humbly presented, revelations and his profound sufferings for Christ. Chapter 12:1 begins with Paul saying he must go on to "visions and revelations of the Lord." This sets the stage for him to recount an extraordinary experience that, ironically, he attributes to "a man in Christ" to avoid appearing self-exalting. The immediate verses following (2 Cor 12:3-10) further elucidate the nature of this revelation by connecting it with "a thorn in the flesh," given to him to keep him humble, ensuring that his extraordinary spiritual experience would not lead to conceit but to reliance on Christ's power in weakness. This vision was not for public spectacle or personal glorification but for strengthening his apostolic mission and establishing the authenticity of his divine calling.

Historically, the concept of "heavens" in ancient Jewish and Hellenistic thought often distinguished between different celestial realms. The "first heaven" referred to the atmosphere or sky, where birds fly. The "second heaven" might refer to the expanse where the stars and planets were located. The "third heaven" was typically understood as the highest, innermost dwelling place of God, often synonymous with Paradise. Paul's audience would likely have grasped this distinction, recognizing the unparalleled nature of an experience extending to the ultimate divine realm.

2 Corinthians 12 2 Word analysis

• I know: (Gr. oida) Paul's firm conviction about the occurrence of the event, indicating certainty. However, this certainty is immediately juxtaposed with his ignorance regarding the exact circumstances of the experience, creating a paradox that highlights divine mystery over human understanding.
• a man: (Gr. anthrōpon) Paul uses the third person to refer to himself. This literary device reflects deep humility and avoids self-praise or drawing attention to himself directly, even while describing his profound spiritual encounter. It also allows for a measure of detachment, presenting the experience as a divine act rather than a personal achievement.
• in Christ: (Gr. en Christō) This crucial phrase signifies that the man's identity, existence, and the entire experience itself are rooted in his relationship with Christ. It indicates that the experience is not some generic mystical ascent but a specific Christian revelation, mediated and authorized by his union with the risen Lord, validating its spiritual nature.
• fourteen years ago: This specific timeframe suggests the actual historical occurrence of the event and that Paul had kept this extraordinary revelation private for a significant period. Its delayed disclosure underscores that it's not being boasted about casually but is brought forth due to necessity, implying its deep impact and gravity.
• caught up: (Gr. harpagenta) This Greek verb means to be snatched away, carried off suddenly, or taken by force. The passive voice indicates divine agency—the man was acted upon by God, rather than undertaking a self-initiated mystical journey. It denotes a swift, compelling, and divinely orchestrated event, beyond human control or will.
• to the third heaven: (Gr. heōs tritou ouranou) This refers to the highest heaven, distinct from the atmosphere or stellar universe. It signifies the dwelling place of God, a realm of ultimate spiritual reality and divine presence, often considered synonymous with Paradise (as confirmed in 2 Cor 12:4). It emphasizes the extraordinary and profound nature of the vision's destination.
• whether in the body I do not know; or whether out of the body I do not know: Paul's frank admission of ignorance concerning the physical state during the experience underscores its supernatural character. This ambiguity emphasizes that the power and mechanism of the experience transcended his physical awareness or comprehension, placing it entirely in the realm of the miraculous and divine. It prevents any speculation about human techniques for achieving such a state.
• God knows: This is the ultimate affirmation of divine sovereignty and knowledge. Paul places the full understanding of the event beyond human grasp and squarely within God's omniscience. It functions as a concluding statement of profound humility and trust in God's wisdom and authority.

• "I know a man in Christ": This phrase functions as Paul's self-identification and authenticates the spiritual nature of the experience. It asserts the man's (Paul's) true identity in Christ as the basis for receiving such a revelation, while the third-person reference deflects any personal pride.
• "caught up to the third heaven": This describes the specific action and destination of the revelation. "Caught up" emphasizes the divine initiation and force behind the transport, not a human pilgrimage. "To the third heaven" signifies the supreme destination, conveying the ultimate nature and profound spiritual content of the vision.
• "whether in the body I do not know...God knows": This powerful group of clauses highlights the inexplicable, mysterious, and divine nature of the event. Paul's dual declaration of ignorance concerning his physical state emphasizes that the experience was outside normal human sensory or physical parameters, entirely a work of God. The concluding "God knows" ultimately assigns all authority, understanding, and glory for the event to God alone.

2 Corinthians 12 2 Bonus section

Paul explicitly links "the third heaven" with "Paradise" in 2 Corinthians 12:4, confirming that his ascent was to the blessed abode where God dwells. This signifies not merely a higher realm, but a place of ultimate blessedness, divine presence, and perhaps the realm where believers go after death. The purpose of such a grand vision for Paul was not for his personal gratification or as a repeatable technique for other believers, but primarily for authenticating his apostleship and providing direct divine revelation, crucial for the formation of the New Testament teachings. This kind of experience is distinct from general spiritual disciplines; it represents a unique, unsolicited act of God designed for a specific purpose in redemptive history. It reminds believers that ultimate spiritual realities, while promised to us, often operate on a plane beyond full human understanding, and their mechanisms are ultimately known to God alone.

2 Corinthians 12 2 Commentary

2 Corinthians 12:2 is a profound glimpse into Paul's most private and extraordinary spiritual life, presented with remarkable humility. Compelled by the boasting of false teachers, Paul shares a unique, divinely-initiated ascent to "the third heaven"—the highest spiritual realm, understood as Paradise. This was not a vision he sought or controlled, but one where he was "caught up" by divine power. His frank admission, "whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know," powerfully underscores that the event transcended ordinary human experience and comprehension. It highlights that the miracle lay not in Paul's capacity for spiritual travel, but in God's sovereign act of revelation. His concluding statement, "God knows," redirects all glory and full understanding away from himself and onto God alone. This experience, despite its grandeur, was kept private for fourteen years, revealing Paul's character—he did not leverage such events for personal gain but allowed them to solidify his conviction and strengthen his message. It was a seal of his apostolic calling, reinforcing the divine origin of his gospel, yet he still saw fit to present it with such deliberate self-effacement, serving as a model for boasting in the Lord, not in oneself.