2 Corinthians 12:2
What does 2 Corinthians 12:2 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 12:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 12:2 means
Paul speaks of “a man in Christ” who, fourteen years earlier, was caught up to the “third heaven,” the realm of God’s immediate presence. He purposely describes the event indirectly and confesses ignorance about whether it was bodily or not, leaving the details to God’s knowledge. This humility keeps attention on the Lord’s action, not the man’s status. The event is real and astonishing, yet Paul resists using it as currency for spiritual prestige. The decisive point is that God can lift a person into the highest privilege entirely by grace, and such experiences—though genuine—do not authorize self-exaltation or license for domineering ministry over others.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I have knowledge of a man in Christ, fourteen years back (if he was in the body, or out of the body, I am not able to say, but God only), who was taken up to the third heaven.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I have known a man in Christ, fourteen years ago--whether in the body I have not known, whether out of the body I have not known, God hath known--such an one being caught away unto the third heaven;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I know a man in Christ: above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth), such a one caught up to the third heaven.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, (whether in [the] body I know not, or out of the body I know not,God knows;) such [a one] caught up to [the] third heaven.
Context
Having signaled he will speak of revelations, Paul narrates an experience in carefully veiled terms. This distance keeps the tone modest while still answering opponents who boasted in visions. The timestamp (“fourteen years ago”) highlights that he did not previously trade on this story. Verses 3–4 will repeat the uncertainty about its mode and add that ineffable words were heard in Paradise. Together these verses demonstrate both the reality and the restraint of Paul’s experience, which will be contrasted with his preference to boast in weakness (verse 5) and the humbling thorn given to prevent pride (verse 7).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Galatians 5:6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.
- Genesis 1:14
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days and years:
- 2 Kings 2:16
And they said unto him, Behold now, there are with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master, lest the Spirit of Jehovah hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
- Ezekiel 11:24
And the Spirit lifted me up, and brought me in the vision by the Spirit of God into Chaldea, to them of the captivity. So the vision that I had seen went up from me.
- Galatians 1:22
And I was still unknown by face unto the churches of Judæa which were in Christ:
- 2 Corinthians 5:21
Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
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