2 Corinthians 12 3

2 Corinthians 12:3 kjv

And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

2 Corinthians 12:3 nkjv

And I know such a man?whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows?

2 Corinthians 12:3 niv

And I know that this man?whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows?

2 Corinthians 12:3 esv

And I know that this man was caught up into paradise ? whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows ?

2 Corinthians 12:3 nlt

Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know

2 Corinthians 12 verses

2 Corinthians 12 3 Meaning

This verse continues Paul's description of his extraordinary spiritual experience, confirming its reality ("I know such a man") but candidly admitting his personal incomprehension regarding its physical nature. By referring to himself in the third person as "such a man," he maintains humility, deflecting any self-glory while still presenting his divine revelation. He emphasizes that the specific details of how he was caught up—whether his physical body was involved or his spirit alone—remained a mystery to him, yet unequivocally declares that "God knows" the full truth of the event.

2 Corinthians 12 3 Context

2 Corinthians 12:3 is embedded in Paul's defense of his apostleship, found within chapters 10-13, against challenges posed by "super-apostles" in Corinth. These rival teachers were likely boasting of their impressive speech, outward credentials, or perhaps their own spiritual experiences, thereby undermining Paul's authority. In a section marked by deliberate irony and reluctance, Paul counters their boasting by offering his "foolish boast," first recounting his extensive sufferings and weaknesses (2 Cor 11:23-29). He then transitions to describing a highly personal and profoundly intimate revelation—his being "caught up" to the "third heaven" or "Paradise" fourteen years prior (2 Cor 12:1-4). This verse (v.3) specifically highlights his own lack of complete understanding regarding the mechanics of this supernatural journey, stating, "whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know." By attributing ultimate knowledge of the event's precise nature solely to God, Paul maintains his humility and directs all glory to the divine source, solidifying the authenticity of his unique experience while simultaneously preventing personal exaltation or speculative curiosity.

2 Corinthians 12 3 Word analysis

• And (Καὶ - Kai): A conjunction, logically connecting this verse to the preceding two, affirming the continued account of the same extraordinary spiritual event.

• I know (οἶδα - oida): Expresses certain and experiential knowledge. Paul asserts that he possesses direct knowledge of the fact that "such a man" (himself) underwent this specific experience. Its repetition emphasizes both his certainty of the event and his uncertainty of its precise mechanism.

• such (τοιοῦτον - toiouton): An adjective referring back to the "man" described in verse 2, highlighting the specific kind of person or experience. It functions with "a man" to create a modest, detached reference to himself, reinforcing humility.

• a man (ἄνθρωπον - anthrōpon): Refers to Paul himself. Using the third person is a deliberate rhetorical strategy to distance himself from direct self-boasting, making the revelation about God's action rather than Paul's status.

• whether (εἴτε - eite): A disjunctive conjunction presenting two distinct possibilities regarding the state of being during the rapture, emphasizing genuine personal ambiguity.

• in the body (ἐν σώματι - en sōmati): Signifies the normal physical presence and consciousness of a human being. Paul questions if his physical person was physically transported or conscious.

• or (εἴτε - eite): Joins the alternative possibility, stressing the mutually exclusive nature of the two states presented.

• apart from the body (ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματος - ektos tou sōmatos): Suggests a non-physical, disembodied state; an ecstatic or spiritual transport where the soul or spirit experienced the rapture independently of the physical form. This points to a truly supernatural phenomenon beyond normal human experience.

• I do not know (οὐκ οἶδα - ouk oida): A direct and emphatic admission of ignorance regarding the exact process of the rapture. This reinforces Paul's humility and guards against any impression of complete understanding or control over the divine encounter.

• God (ὁ Θεὸς - ho Theos): The supreme, omniscient Divine Being. The definite article "the" ("ὁ") attributes ultimate authority and understanding exclusively to God.

• knows (οἶδεν - oiden): Confirms God's perfect, exhaustive, and intrinsic knowledge of all details, including the mysterious aspects of Paul's rapture. This statement underscores God's sovereignty and validation of the experience.

• "And I know such a man": Paul maintains a layer of modesty by referring to himself indirectly, yet confidently affirms the undeniable reality of this individual and their experience. This structure humbly elevates the divine act over the human recipient.

• "whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know": This pivotal phrase illustrates Paul's profound honesty about the mysterious nature of divine encounters. It expresses his complete certainty of the event while openly admitting his human inability to comprehend its precise mechanics or the state of his physical being during it. It prevents carnal interpretation and highlights the supernatural.

• "God knows": This definitive declaration redirects ultimate understanding, comprehension, and glory from Paul to God alone. It serves as an unequivocal statement of divine omniscience and reaffirms the divine origin and validity of the experience despite human limitations.

2 Corinthians 12 3 Bonus section

• The Greek verb oida implies a "settled, unalterable knowledge," distinct from ginōskō, which often signifies knowledge gained through experience or learning. Paul's repeated use of oida here underlines a strong, definite assurance of the event, contrasted with his lack of analytical or technical knowledge about the body's involvement.
• This verse provides crucial insight into the phenomenon of ecstatic spiritual experiences mentioned in various parts of the Bible, where the line between physical presence and spiritual transport can become blurred. Paul himself offers a testament that such events are genuine even if they defy conventional explanation.
• Paul's emphasis on God's exclusive knowledge also serves as a protective measure, both for himself (preventing pride and cult-like devotion from others) and for the integrity of the divine revelation, by signaling that certain aspects of God's workings are beyond human grasp and not meant for detailed public exposition.
• The reference to the "third heaven" (v.2) would have resonated with Jewish apocalyptic literature of the time, where higher heavens were associated with God's throne room and special divine encounters, further elevating the significance of Paul's vision as authentic and profoundly intimate.

2 Corinthians 12 3 Commentary

2 Corinthians 12:3 provides a profound snapshot of authentic spiritual humility within the context of extraordinary divine revelation. Having just mentioned being caught up to Paradise, Paul quickly reiterates his distance from any self-glory by speaking of himself in the third person. His candid admission of ignorance—"whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know"—is not a sign of doubt concerning the event itself, but rather a testament to its genuinely supernatural and unfathomable nature from a human perspective. This phrase simultaneously underscores the awe-inspiring quality of the experience and serves as a direct, implicit counter-challenge to the superficial boasts and perhaps false claims of spiritual knowledge made by his detractors in Corinth. By emphatically concluding with "God knows," Paul firmly grounds the revelation in divine sovereignty, acknowledging that true and complete understanding rests solely with the Almighty. It instructs believers that profound spiritual encounters, though real and life-altering, often defy full human comprehension and should always point to God's greatness rather than self-exaltation.

• Example: When a Christian recounts a powerful spiritual leading they received, they might say, "I can't fully explain how God spoke to me, but I know it was Him, and only He fully grasps the moment."