2 Corinthians 12:3-5 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-5

"It is not expedient," etc. These verses present two subjects of thought. I. APOSTOLIC PSYCHOLOGY . The words reveal certain ideas which Paul had concerning the human mind. He had the idea: 1 . That whilst here it is capable of existing separate from the body . "Whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell." If he had been certain that the soul could not exist whilst here apart from the body, would he have spoken thus? And who is not conscious... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-6

The old question as to his apostolic authority, which had recently been revived in a most exciting form, was not yet disposed of, and he must now discuss it in another aspect. So far as external circumstances were concerned, had not the prophetic declaration to Ananias been fulfilled?—"I will show him how great things he must suffer for my Name's sake." And, furthermore, he had proved that his own state of mind, the inward being of his soul, had corresponded with his call to suffer. The flesh... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-21

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:4

Into Paradise. Here, again, we encounter long speculations as to whether Paradise is the same as the third heaven; whether St.,Paul is referring to two visions or two parts of one vision. Such questions are clearly insoluble, and I leave them where I find them. We shall never understand this passage otherwise than in the dim and vague outline in which St. Paul has purposely left it. All that we can know from the New Testament about Paradise must be learnt from this verse and Luke 23:1-56 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:5

Of such a one. These are legitimate subjects of "boast," because they are heavenly privileges, not earthly grounds of superiority. Except in my infirmities ( 2 Corinthians 11:30 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:3

And 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 more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:4

Into paradise - The word “paradise” (παράδεισος 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 pardēc in Nehemiah 2:8; Ecclesiastes... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:5

Of such an one will I glory - Of such a man it would be right to boast. It would be admitted that it is right to exult in such a man, and to esteem him to be uniquely favored by God. I will boast of him as having received special honor from the Lord. Bloomfield, however, supposes that the words rendered “of such an one should be translated “of such a thing,” or of such a transaction; meaning” I can indeed justly boast of my being caught up to heaven as of a thing the whole glory of which... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:2-3

2 Corinthians 12:2-3. I knew a man in Christ That is, a Christian. He must undoubtedly have meant himself, or the whole article had been quite foreign to his purpose. Indeed, that he meant himself is plain from 2 Corinthians 12:6-7. Fourteen years ago So long, it seems, the apostle had concealed this extraordinary event; a circumstance which shows how little disposed he was to speak vauntingly of himself. Whether in the body And by the intervention of its senses; or out of the body ... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:4

2 Corinthians 12:4. How that he was caught up into paradise The seat of happy spirits, in their separate state between death and the resurrection. See note on Luke 23:43. Most of the ancients, (except Origen,) as Clement of Alexandria, Justin Martyr, Ireneus, Tertullian, and, among the moderns, Bull, Whitby, Bengelius, were of opinion that the apostle had two different raptures; because, as Methodius very well argues, If one rapture only were spoken of, the repetition of whether in the... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-21

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:4

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:2-3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 12:4

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