2 Corinthians 12:4

2 Corinthians 12:4 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
• New International Version (NIV)was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.
• English Standard Version (ESV)and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.
• New King James Version (NKJV)how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Context of 2 Corinthians 12:4

2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, [only] God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. 3And I know that such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, [only] God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words which man is not permitted to speak [words too sacred to tell]. 5On behalf of such a man [and his experiences] I will boast; but in my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. 6If I wish to boast, I will not be foolish, because I will be speaking the truth. But I abstain [from it], so that no one will credit me with more than [is justified by what] he sees in me or hears from me.

2 Corinthians 12:4 word by word

ὅτι ἡρπάγη εἰς τὸν παράδεισον καὶ ἤκουσεν ἄρρητα ῥήματα ἃ οὐκ ἐξὸν ἀνθρώπῳ λαλῆσαι.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• How thatὅτιhoti · that/since: thatG3754
• he was caught upἁρπάζωharpazō · to seizeG726
• intoεἰςeis · towardG1519
• paradiseὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• paradiseπαράδεισοςparadeisos · paradiseG3857
• andκαίkai · andG2532
• heardἀκούωakouō · to hearG191
• unspeakableἄρρητοςarrhētos · inexpressibleG731
• wordsῥῆμαrhēma · declarationG4487
• whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• it isἔξεστι, ἐξόνexesti · be permittedG1832
• notοὐou · noG3756
• for a manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• to utterλαλέωlaleō · to speakG2980

Cross-references for 2 Corinthians 12:4

• Ezekiel 31:9I made it beautiful with the great mass of its branches, So that all the trees of Eden which were in the garden of God were jealous of it (Assyria).
• Luke 23:43Jesus said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
• Revelation 2:7He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant [the privilege] to eat [the fruit] from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.’

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12:4

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4Caught up into paradise - The Jewish writers have no less than four paradises, as they have seven heavens; but it is needless to wade through their fables. On the word paradise see the note on Genesis 2:8. The Mohammedans call it jennet alferdoos, the garden of paradise, and say that God created it out of light, and that it is the habitation of the prophets and wise men. Among Christian writers it generally means the place of the blessed, or the state of…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4Into paradise - The word “paradise” ( ́ paradeisos) occurs but three times in the New Testament; Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:4; Revelation 2:7. It occurs often in the Septuagint, as the translation of the word garden; Genesis 2:8-10, Genesis 2:15-16; Genesis 3:1-3, Genesis 3:8, Genesis 3:16, Genesis 3:23-24; Genesis 13:10; Numbers 24:6; Isaiah 51:3; Ezekiel 28:13; Ezekiel 31:8-9; Joel 2:3. And also Isaiah 1:30; Jeremiah 29:5; and of the word פּרדס…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3-4Paul was unsure if he was in a trance or truly taken to heaven. And I know this man … was caught up to Paradise: Literally But I know such a man, that he was caught up; see study note on 12:2.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. unspeakable--not in themselves, otherwise Paul could not have heard them; but as the explanation states, "which it is not lawful ... to utter" [Alford]. They were designed for Paul's own consolation, and not for communication to others. Some heavenly words are communicable (Ex 34:6; Is 6:3). These were not so. Paul had not the power adequately to utter; nor if he had, would he have been permitted; nor would earthly men comprehend them (Joh 3:12; 1Co…Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 12:4

• Hades
• Heaven
• Paradise
• Paradox
• Paul
• Vision
• Words

In the dictionaries

• Backbiting
• Crafty
• Excuse
• Gain
• Grace
• Heaven
• Paradise
• Perfect
• Revelation
• Sufficient

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings