Free Bible Commentary
“2 Corinthians 12:1-6”
Categories: 2 Corinthians“Boasting is necessary, though it is not profitable; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I 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, God knows — such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man — whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows — was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in regard to my weaknesses. For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.”
---End of Scripture Verses---
So very much is revealed to us in this amazing passage of Scripture, even though Paul was not “permitted to speak” about the specific details of his “heavenly visit” (verse 4). I will start by saying that Paul is talking about himself in the third person when he said he knew a man “in Christ”. The only way to be saved eternally is to be a Christian, and the only way to be a Christian is to be “in Christ”.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). “All spiritual blessings” are “in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Access “into Christ” is through the waters of baptism. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).
For some reason God honored Paul by showing him some “visions and revelations” (verse 1) that very few human beings have been privileged enough to witness or hear. The occasion and reason for this are not revealed. Maybe God did this to encourage the Apostle during a very challenging time in his life.
The Lord “transported” Paul into “third heaven” and “Paradise” (verses 3-4). Paul could have experienced this marvel in three different ways. He could have been shown a vision, he may have been bodily “caught up”, or his spirit may have been separated from his body for a brief time. But Paul said, “whether in the body or apart from the body, I do not know” (verses 2-3).
We also learn from this passage that there are three heavens, but the Bible teaches us this in different ways and places as well. The first heaven is contained within earth’s atmosphere where the birds fly and the clouds “float” (Genesis 1:20). The second heaven is the “outer space” where the “heavenly bodies” or stars and planets “dwell” (Genesis 22:17). The third heaven is where God dwells. It seems evident from Paul’s description in today’s verses that Paradise is located in the third heaven.
Paul wasn’t sure if he had had an “out of body experience” or not, but he knew that was within the realm of possibility. This statement is proof that the “soul” or “spirit” has a life of its own apart from the human body. When we die and our fleshly bodies are laid in the grave (or whatever may happen to them), our spirits will live on in the spiritual realm.
Last point for today is that you cannot believe anything that a “medium” or “spiritualist” says when they claim to communicate with the departed spirits of the deceased. Paul made an actual visit to the spirit world and he said that he was “not permitted to speak” about the “inexpressible words” that he heard (verse 4).
The only way that we can learn anything about “the other side,” about “life beyond the grave” is by reading our Bibles. The only way that we can garner information about salvation and the spiritual world and heaven above is by accessing the revelation that God has left for us in His perfect word.
Please read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 for tomorrow.
Have a blessed Lord's Day!
-Louie Taylor
