2 Corinthians 12:3

And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 'I know.' OUT OF. So G [ ektos (G1622)]. B Delta [ chooris (G5565)] read 'apart from.'...

1-6 There can be no doubt the apostle speaks of himself. Whether heavenly things were brought down to him, while his body was in a trance, as in the case of ancient prophets; or whether his soul was dislodged from the body for a time, and taken up into heaven, or whether he was taken up, body and soul together, he knew not. We are not capable, nor is it fit we should yet know, the particulars of that glorious place and state. He did not attempt to publish to the world what he had heard there, but he set forth the doctrine of Christ. On that foundation the church is built, and on that we must build our faith and hope. And while this teaches us to enlarge our expectations of the glory that shall be revealed, it should render us contented with the usual methods of learning the truth and will of God....

AND I KNEW SUCH A MAN - It is not uncommon to repeat a solemn affirmation in order that it may be made more emphatic. This is done here. Paul repeats the idea, that he was intimately acquainted with such a man, and that he did not know whether he was in the body or out of the body. All that was known to God....

EXPOSITION The revelations vouchsafed to him (2 Corinthians 12:1). The counteracting "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7). One more apology for glorying (2 Corinthians 12:11, 2 Corinthians 12:12). His disinterestedness (2 Corinthians 12:13). Indignant refutation of the charge that he had made gain of them through the agency of subordinates (2 Corinthians 12:16)

AND I KNEW SUCH A MAN,.... The same man, namely himself, is here designed, and the same rapture spoken of, and the condition he was in expressed in the same words: which repetition is made for the more strong affirmation of what he delivered, and to signify the marvellousness of this vision, and how surprising and unaccountable it was....

3. REVELATION IN WHICH HE MIGHT GLORY. HIS APOSTLESHIP. CHAPTER 12 _ 1. Caught up to the Third Heaven. (2 Corinthians 12:1)_ 2. The Thorn in the Flesh. (2 Corinthians 12:7) 3. The Marks of His Apostleship. (2 Corinthians 12:11) 4. His Continued Deep Concern. (2 Corinthians 12:16 .) In the previous chapter the apostle gloried in that which in the eyes of man has no glory at all. From the ignominious experience of being let down in a basket he turns to another experience in which he was caught into the third heaven. “I will come to visions

A SPECIAL REVELATION AND ITS SEQUEL. By an account of a great spiritual experience which he had enjoyed, Paul explains the reason why he has been called on to suffer, and the Divine interpretation of the suffering, in the light of which he can ever rejoice in this weakness and in all similar experiences. An expression of his proud confidence is wrung from him, however he may doubt its expediency. He recalls memorable experiences of visions and revelations of the Lord, and one in particular, fourteen years before, when, under conditions that he could not explain; he found himself in the third heaven, in Paradise. Here he employs language drawn from late Jewish speculation, imagining a series of heavens one above another, and means the highest heaven. A man who has had such experiences has a right to a proud self-confidence, and may express it without incurring a charge of folly. But still...

I must continue to boast. It is not good for me to do so, all the same I will come to visions and revelations given to me by the Lord. I know a man in Christ, who, fourteen years ago--whether it was in the body I do not know; whether it was out of the body I do not know; God knows--was caught up to the third heaven. And I know that this man about whom I am speaking--whether it was with the body or without the body, I do not know; God knows--was caught up to Paradise and heard words which can never be uttered, which it is not lawful for a man to speak. It is about such a man that I will boast. About myself I will not boast, for, if I wish to boast, I will not be such a fool, for I will speak the truth. But I forbear to boast in case anyone forms a judgment about me beyond what he sees in me and hears from me. And because of the surpassing nature of the revelation granted to me--the reason...

ΧΩΡῚΣ ΤΟΥ͂ ΣΏΜΑΤΟΣ (BD) rather than ἐκτὸς τ. σώμ. (D2D3FGKLMP), which comes from 2 Corinthians 12:2. B omits οὐκ οἷδα, which might come from 2 Corinthians 12:2. 3. ΚΑῚ ΟἿΔΑ Κ.Τ.Λ. _And I_ KNOW _such a man, whether in the body or_ APART FROM _the body, I_ KNOW NOT; _God knoweth_. The use made by Athanasius of S. Paul’s οὐκ οἷδα is a curiosity of exegesis: see _con. Arian_. III. 47. The change (see critical note) from ἐκτός (2 Corinthians 12:2; 1 Corinthians 6:18) to χωρίς ...

_A VISION OF PARADISE 2 CORINTHIANS 12:1-6:_ Paul felt that there was nothing to be gained by his boasting. He said that he would only tell them about the visions and revelations that he had received from God. The Lord, by means of revelation, gave Paul truths that he would have never known otherwise. Paul told about a man that was taken up into the third heaven fourteen years ago. He did not know whether the man was in the body or not. He did not know but he knew that God knew. He was marvelously and swiftly taken or transferred from one place to another. The first heaven is the region where the birds fly. (Genesis 1:20) The second heaven is that where the sun, stars and moon are located. (Genesis 22:17