2 Corinthians 12:1-4 (WEL) There is no advantage for me to brag, so I will move on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ 14 years ago (whether in the body, I cannot tell, or out of the body, I cannot tell. God knows) who was taken up to the third heaven. 3 I know such a man (if in the body or out of body, I just don’t know), but God knows. 4 How he was taken into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which are not lawful for anyone to talk about.
Chapter summary:
Adam Clarke:
“St. Paul mentions some wonderful revelations which he had received from the Lord, 2 Corinthians 12:1-5. He speaks of his suffering in connection with these extraordinary revelations, that his character might be duly estimated, 2 Corinthians 12:6. That he might not be too much exalted, a messenger of Satan is sent to buffet him; his prayer for deliverance, and the Divine answer, 2 Corinthians 12:7-9. He exults in sufferings and reproaches, and vindicates his apostleship, 2 Corinthians 12:10-13. Promises to come and visit them, 2 Corinthians 12:14, 2 Corinthians 12:15. Answers some objections, 2 Corinthians 12:16-18. And expresses his apprehensions that when he visits them he shall find many evils and disorders among them, 2 Corinthians 12:19-21.”
V1 There is no advantage for me to brag, so I will move on to visions and revelations from the Lord.
Paul is done stating his credentials; now, he is going to talk about the visions and revelations that he has had.
A vision is an experience either through a dream or an opening of an area sort of like a screen and shows an angel or God, Himself, giving a message. It may also be just hearing God’s voice as Samuel in 1 Samuel 3:4 and following. There are between 30-40 visions in the Bible depending on the author’s counting.
A revelation is insight and knowledge of God’s attributes, plans, teaching, or prophecy. There are between 200-250 revelations in the Bible depending on the researcher. These visions are only given to prophets or Apostles of Jesus Christ.
Vision is defined as (Cyclopedia): “a supernatural presentation of certain scenery or circumstances to the mind of a person while awake.”
Revelation is defined as a disclosure from God whether by word, understanding, dream, or some other method.
V2 I know a man in Christ 14 years ago (whether in the body, I cannot tell, or out of the body, I cannot tell. God knows) who was taken up to the third heaven.
Most consider this to be in the early 40s AD. Robertson adds “The date was probably while Paul was at Tarsus (Acts 9:30; Acts 11:25). We have no details of that period.”
The first heaven is the Earth’s atmosphere, the second heaven is the universe, and the third heaven is where God’s throne is presently located (Isaiah 66:1).
Paul did not know if he went bodily to heaven or in a vision (remaining on the Earth).
V3 I know such a man (if in the body or out of body, I just don’t know), but God knows.
Paul states that only God knows.
V4 How he was taken into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which are not lawful for anyone to talk about.
Paradise after Jesus’s resurrection is the third heaven. Paul heard discussions and teaching that he was not allowed to tell others.
(Holman Commentary) “While there, Paul heard inexpressible things, words from angels and God that man is not permitted to tell. Paul’s opponents probably spoke freely about their supposedly heavenly revelation, much like the apostle John was instructed to do when he received the revelation of the Apocalypse (Rev. 1:11). But Paul made the supremacy of his heavenly experience plain by saying that he was not permitted to convey what he heard there. By this means, Paul argued that his authority over the church at Corinth was far beyond any authority claimed by the false apostles. His revelation was greater than any revelation his opponents had received.”
We learn:
- Paul is a genuine Apostle.
- Paul presents some experiences of Jesus’s revelation to him.
Questions:
- Do you trust Paul’s teachings and authority? Some people only accept the prison epistles to be binding on today’s church.
- Do you brag of spiritual experiences? They probably are real but not from God Himself.