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 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 12:2 | "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven." | Paul’s own experience |
| 2 Cor 12:4 | "He was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, no words that people can tell." | Details of the rapture |
| Acts 22:17 | "I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple—in a trance" | Paul’s trance and vision |
| Acts 26:13 | "About noon king Agrippa, as I were on my way, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun..." | Paul’s heavenly vision |
| Acts 9:3 | "Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him." | Saul's conversion experience |
| 1 Cor 15:40 | "There are also heavenly bodies, and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and that of the earthly bodies is another." | Distinction between realms |
| Gal 1:17 | "nor did I go immediately into conference with anyone of those who were apostles before me." | Paul's divine commissioning |
| Eph 1:3 | "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." | Spiritual blessings in heaven |
| Rev 4:1 | "After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven!" | John's vision of heaven |
| Rev 4:2 | "At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it." | John’s spiritual transportation |
| Rev 11:12 | "Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.”" | Ascending to heaven |
| Rev 19:11 | "I saw heaven opened, and there before me was a white horse..." | Heavenly vision |
| John 3:13 | "No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven—the Son of Man." | Christ's unique ascension |
| Matt 11:25 | "At that time Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, rejoiced and said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth..." | Heaven as God's dwelling |
| Ps 139:8 | "If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." | God's omnipresence in heaven |
| Is 6:1 | "In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple." | Isaiah’s vision of God |
| Ez 1:1 | "In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Chebar Canal, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God." | Ezekiel’s heavenly vision |
| Heb 4:14 | "Therefore, since we have a great priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess." | Jesus' ascension to heaven |
| Heb 9:24 | "For Christ did not enter a holy place made with human hands that was a mere copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence." | Christ in heaven’s presence |
| Rev 21:2 | "I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband." | Heavenly city |
2 Corinthians 12 verses
2 Corinthians 12 3 Meaning
The verse states that Paul, speaking of himself, wonders if he had an out-of-body experience or not. He acknowledges that he was indeed "caught up" to Paradise, a third heaven. This language suggests a divinely induced spiritual rapture. The distinction he makes between being "caught up" and knowing "whether in the body or out of the body" highlights the mystery and overwhelming nature of the experience, possibly indicating that the lines between the physical and spiritual realms blurred for him during this event. It’s a testament to God’s sovereign action, taking Paul to a place of ultimate spiritual privilege.
2 Corinthians 12 3 Context
Second Corinthians chapter 12 finds Paul defending his apostolic authority against false apostles who were criticizing him. These opponents were likely boasting about their own experiences and credentials, prompting Paul to recount extraordinary divine revelations he had received. This specific verse, 2 Corinthians 12:3, is part of Paul's autobiographical account of a heavenly experience that occurred 14 years prior. He uses this account, not to boast for self-glorification, but to demonstrate the authenticating power of God’s work in his ministry. The primary context is a polemic against those who relied on mere human achievements or false spiritual claims, contrasting their empty boasts with genuine, God-given experiences and humility.
2 Corinthians 12 3 Word Analysis
καὶ οἶδα (kai oida):
- καὶ (kai): "and," "even." Connects this statement to the previous one about the man. It can also indicate emphasis, "and indeed," or "even."
- οἶδα (oida): "I know." Present tense, indicative mood, first person singular of oida (οἶδα), which means "to know" or "to perceive," often implying a settled knowledge or awareness. Paul asserts certainty about the reality of the experience.
εἴτε (eite): "whether." Introduces two alternative possibilities.
ἐν (en): "in."
- σώματι (sōmati): "body" (dative case). Refers to the physical, material body.
- χρῐστοῦ (christou): Genitive singular of christos (Χριστός), meaning "Christ." In the phrase "in Christ" (en Christō), it refers to the spiritual union believers have with Christ. However, here, ἐν σώματι (in the body) stands on its own. Paul questions the mode of his being – whether it was physically within his body or separate from it.
ἐκτὸς (ektos): "outside," "out of." Contrasts with en sōmati, signifying a state apart from the physical body.
τοῦ (tou): Definite article, "the."
σώματος (sōmatos): Genitive singular of sōma (σῶμα), "body." Paul’s awareness is uncertain regarding his bodily state during the experience.
οὐκ οἶδα (ouk oida): "I do not know." Paul’s genuine uncertainty, emphasizing his humility. This lack of precise knowledge about the mode doesn't negate the reality of the experience itself. It shows that human understanding has limits in such divine encounters.
ὁ θεός (ho theos): "God."
οἶδεν (oiden): "knows." Third person singular, perfect tense, indicative of oida. God has perfect knowledge of the circumstances of this spiritual event. This highlights God's sovereignty and Paul's dependence on God's knowledge rather than his own perception of it.
Group of Words Analysis
- "εἴτε ἐν σώματι εἴτε ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματος" (eite en sōmati eite ektos tou sōmatos): This is the core of the verse’s distinctiveness. It means "whether in the body, I know not; or out of the body, I know not." This phrase reveals a spiritual experience that transcended normal human categories of existence. It is not uncommon in Scripture for individuals to be caught up in visions or to have their consciousness expanded beyond their physical limitations (e.g., Ezekiel, John). Paul’s humble admission of not knowing the exact mode underscores the divine and awe-inspiring nature of the event, preventing any possibility of personal arrogance or claims of independent mystical prowess.
2 Corinthians 12 3 Bonus Section
The concept of the "third heaven" is a significant element here. While not explicitly defined in the Old Testament in this hierarchical manner, Jewish thought, particularly during the intertestamental period, developed concepts of heavenly realms. Some interpreted the "heaven of heavens" mentioned in Deuteronomy 10:14 as indicative of multiple heavenly levels. This might include the atmosphere, the starry heavens, and the dwelling place of God. Paul’s experience places him in the ultimate, innermost heaven—God’s immediate presence. This reinforces the immense privilege and unique nature of the revelation he received. The entire episode is designed by Paul to be a strategic defense of his ministry, contrasting the authenticity of his divinely sanctioned authority with the false claims of his detractors, while meticulously maintaining an attitude of profound humility and dependence on God.
2 Corinthians 12 3 Commentary
Paul's testimony here is remarkable for its humility. He speaks of an astonishing divine encounter – being "caught up to the third heaven"—yet he candidly admits his lack of understanding about the exact nature of his physical presence or absence during this rapture. This deliberate ambiguity serves to: 1) highlight that the experience itself was real and from God, irrespective of the precise physical mechanics; 2) counter any accusations of sensationalism or seeking personal glory, as he doesn’t claim superior spiritual insight into the mystical processes; and 3) point to the limitations of human comprehension when dealing with divine realities, drawing attention back to God’s knowledge rather than his own. This profound event is recounted not for self-exaltation, but as a divinely provided credential in the face of opposition, demonstrating the depth and authenticity of his apostleship, entrusted to him by Christ himself. The emphasis remains on God’s power and revelation.