2 Corinthians 12:3

2 Corinthians 12:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
• New International Version (NIV)And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—
• English Standard Version (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—
• New King James Version (NKJV)And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—

Context of 2 Corinthians 12:3

1I must continue to praise myself. It will not really help you, but I will tell you anyway. The Lord has shown me special things, like in a dream. 2I know a certain man who belongs to Christ. 14 years ago, God quickly took this man up to the third heaven. Perhaps this man was still in his body. Perhaps he had gone away from his body. I do not know. Only God knows. I know that God took this man up to paradise. I do not know whether this man was still in his body or not. Only God knows. When this man was in heaven, he heard about secret things. Those are things that no words can describe. God will not let any person speak about those things. They are too special. 5I will say proud things about a man like that. But I will not be proud of anything good about myself. I will only be proud of things that show my weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:3 word by word

καὶ οἶδα τὸν τοιοῦτον ἄνθρωπον, εἴτε ἐν σώματι εἴτε χωρὶς τοῦ σώματος, οὐκ οἶδα, ὁ θεὸς οἶδεν,Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Andκαίkai · andG2532
• I knewεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• suchτοιοῦτοςtoioutos · such as thisG5108
• a manἄνθρωποςanthrōpos · a humanG444
• whetherεἴτεeite · whetherG1535
• inἐνen · in/on/amongG1722
• the bodyσῶμαsōma · bodyG4983
• out ofἐκτόςektos · outside/exceptG1622
• cannotοὐou · noG3756
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316

Commentaries on 2 Corinthians 12:3

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3And 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.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. 33. Translate, "I know." out of--Most of the oldest manuscripts read "apart from."Read the comment

Topics related to 2 Corinthians 12:3

• Heaven
• Paul
• Vision

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Backbiting
• Crafty
• Excuse
• Gain
• Grace
• 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