2 Corinthians 12:3

KJV

And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} I knew {G1492} such {G5108} a man {G444},(whether {G1535} in {G1722} the body {G4983}, or {G1535} out {G1622} of the body {G4983}, I cannot {G3756} tell {G1492}: God {G2316} knoweth {G1492};)

Complete Jewish Bible

And I know that such a man — whether in the body or apart from the body I don’t know, God knows —

Berean Standard Bible

And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows—

American Standard Version

And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth),

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In the Apostle Paul continues his account of an extraordinary spiritual revelation, likely referring to his own experience of being caught up to the "third heaven" (verse 2). He reiterates his profound uncertainty regarding the physical state of the "man" (himself) during this transcendent event, specifically whether the rapture occurred "in the body, or out of the body." This verse powerfully underscores the limits of human comprehension when faced with divine mysteries, concluding with the definitive statement that only God possesses full knowledge of such supernatural occurrences.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [2 Corinthians 12:3](/2_corinthians/12-3 "2 Corinthians 12:3 - Paul's Vision") is nestled within a highly personal and somewhat reluctant defense of Paul's apostolic authority and spiritual credentials. The preceding chapter, [2 Corinthians 11](/2_corinthians/11 "2 Corinthians 11 - Paul's Sufferings and Fool's Speech"), saw Paul "boasting" in his weaknesses, sufferings, and hardships to contrast with the false apostles who boasted in worldly achievements and eloquence. In [2 Corinthians 12:1-10](/2_corinthians/12-1-10 "2 Corinthians 12:1-10 - Paul's Vision and Thorn in the Flesh"), Paul shifts his "boasting" to divine revelations, doing so with profound humility by referring to himself in the third person as "a man in Christ" (verse 2). Verse 3 serves as a reiteration of the mysterious nature of the experience described in verse 2, emphasizing Paul's inability to fully grasp or explain the physical circumstances of his rapture to the "third heaven" and "Paradise" (verse 4), thereby highlighting the supernatural origin and the divine control over the event. This recounting of extraordinary spiritual privilege is immediately followed by the mention of his "thorn in the flesh" in [2 Corinthians 12:7](/2_corinthians/12-7 "2 Corinthians 12:7 - Paul's Thorn in the Flesh"), which was given to keep him from becoming conceited, further grounding his spiritual authority in God's power made perfect in weakness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Corinthian church was plagued by internal divisions and the influence of "super-apostles" who challenged Paul's authority, often by boasting in their rhetorical skills, impressive spiritual experiences, or perceived worldly wisdom. In this environment, Paul's reluctant "boasting" was a strategic and ironic defense. While mystical experiences and ascents to heavenly realms were part of the broader ancient world's religious landscape (including Jewish apocalyptic traditions), Paul's account distinguishes itself by its emphasis on humility, the divine origin of the revelation, and its purpose not for personal glory but for God's purposes within the context of his apostleship. Paul's use of the third person ("such a man") was a common rhetorical device in antiquity to speak of oneself with modesty or to emphasize the objective nature of an experience. His uncertainty about being "in the body, or out of the body" resonates with philosophical discussions of the soul's relationship to the body, but for Paul, it underscores the utterly transcendent and divinely controlled nature of the event, rather than a philosophical speculation.

* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within [2 Corinthians](/2_corinthians "2 Corinthians - Paul's Defense and Ministry"). Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Revelation and Mystery**. Paul's experience underscores the reality of direct divine communication and profound spiritual encounters, yet simultaneously emphasizes their mysterious and often ineffable nature. The human mind cannot fully comprehend or articulate such supernatural events, as evidenced by Paul's own admission, "I cannot tell." Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Humility in Spiritual Gifts and Ministry**. Paul's decision to speak of himself in the third person, coupled with his reluctance to boast about such a high revelation (only doing so under duress to defend his apostleship), exemplifies profound humility. He understands that such experiences are not for personal glory but are given by God for His purposes, a truth further reinforced by the subsequent mention of his "thorn in the flesh" in [2 Corinthians 12:7](/2_corinthians/12-7 "2 Corinthians 12:7 - Paul's Thorn in the Flesh"), which served to prevent conceit. Lastly, the phrase "God knoweth" powerfully asserts the theme of **God's Omniscience vs. Human Limitation**. While human perception and memory might be limited or even confused by extraordinary events, God has complete and perfect comprehension of all things, whether physical or spiritual. This reminds believers that God is fully aware of their experiences, even those they cannot fully articulate or understand themselves, echoing the comprehensive knowledge of God expressed in passages like [Psalm 139:1-6](/psalms/139-1-6 "Psalm 139:1-6 - God's Omniscience and Omnipresence").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Greek, _eídō_):** (G1492) The verb "eídō" (to see, by implication to know) is used three times in this short verse, creating a powerful rhetorical effect. Paul states "I cannot tell" (οὐκ οἶδα - _ouk oida_), expressing his profound uncertainty regarding the physical state of the "man" during the rapture. This contrasts sharply with the definitive "God knoweth" (ὁ Θεὸς οἶδεν - _ho Theos oiden_), underscoring the vast difference between limited human perception and divine omniscience.
* **body (Greek, _sōma_):** (G4983) Refers to the physical human body. Paul's uncertainty "whether in the body, or out of the body" speaks to the extraordinary nature of the experience, suggesting a state beyond normal human consciousness or physical existence. It raises questions about the nature of spiritual transport and the soul's relation to the physical form during such divine encounters, which Paul himself cannot definitively answer.
* **out (Greek, _ektós_):** (G1622) This preposition signifies being "outside" or "apart from." When paired with "of the body," it indicates a state of being disembodied or separated from the physical form. Paul's inability to discern if the experience occurred while "in the body" (ἐν σώματι - _en sōmati_) or "out of the body" (ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματος - _ektos tou sōmatos_) highlights the utterly transcendent and mysterious quality of the revelation, which transcended normal physical parameters.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And I knew such a man,"**: Paul continues to refer to himself in the third person, a rhetorical device employed for humility and to emphasize that the extraordinary experience was a divine act, not something he merited or could boast about for personal glory. This detachment allows the focus to remain on God's power and revelation rather than on Paul's personal prestige.
* **"(whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell:"**: This parenthetical clause captures the profound mystery of Paul's experience. He genuinely cannot discern if his spirit was separated from his physical body during the rapture, or if his body was somehow transported along with his spirit, or if the experience was so vivid and real that it transcended the normal categories of physical and spiritual perception. This admission highlights the limits of human understanding when confronted with the supernatural.
* **"God knoweth;)"**: This concluding phrase serves as the ultimate theological anchor and resolution to Paul's uncertainty. It shifts the focus from human limitation to divine omniscience. While Paul cannot fully comprehend or articulate the mechanics of his experience, he rests in the absolute certainty that God, who orchestrated the event, knows every detail perfectly. This declaration affirms God's complete knowledge of all things, whether physical or spiritual, or mysterious.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Apostrophe** or **Third-Person Reference** is evident in Paul's choice to speak of himself as "such a man." This rhetorical strategy serves to express humility, deflect personal glory, and emphasize the divine origin and objective reality of the experience rather than his subjective perception. A powerful **Antithesis** or **Juxtaposition** is central to the verse's impact, contrasting human ignorance with divine omniscience: "I cannot tell" (οὐκ οἶδα) is set directly against "God knoweth" (ὁ Θεὸς οἶδεν). This stark comparison highlights the vast chasm between finite human understanding and infinite divine knowledge. Furthermore, the **Repetition** of the verb "know" (eídō) in both its negative and positive forms (οὐκ οἶδα and οἶδεν) creates a strong rhetorical emphasis, underscoring the central theme of knowledge and mystery, and ultimately affirming God's supreme understanding over all creation and experience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[2 Corinthians 12:3](/2_corinthians/12-3 "2 Corinthians 12:3 - Paul's Vision") offers profound theological insights into the nature of divine revelation, human limitation, and God's absolute sovereignty. It affirms that God can and does reveal Himself in ways that transcend normal human experience and comprehension, validating the reality of profound spiritual encounters while simultaneously cautioning against human attempts to fully rationalize or control them. The verse teaches us to embrace the mystery inherent in faith, acknowledging that there are aspects of God's work and being that remain beyond our grasp. Ultimately, it directs our gaze from our own limited understanding to the perfect and complete knowledge of God, in whom all mysteries find their ultimate resolution. This truth provides comfort and stability, reminding us that even when we are confused or unable to articulate our experiences, God knows.

* [Psalm 139:1-6](/psalms/139-1-6 "Psalm 139:1-6 - God's Omniscience and Omnipresence")
* [Romans 11:33-34](/romans/11-33-34 "Romans 11:33-34 - The Unsearchable Riches of God")
* [1 Corinthians 2:9-10](/1_corinthians/2-9-10 "1 Corinthians 2:9-10 - God Reveals Through the Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's account in [2 Corinthians 12:3](/2_corinthians/12-3 "2 Corinthians 12:3 - Paul's Vision") offers profound lessons for believers today. Firstly, it validates the reality of profound spiritual encounters, affirming that God can interact with His people in ways that transcend our physical and rational understanding. Not every spiritual experience needs to be fully rationalized or understood by human logic; some are simply divine mysteries to be received with awe. Secondly, Paul's humility in recounting this extraordinary event, even using the third person to deflect personal glory, serves as a powerful model. It calls us to cultivate humility, especially when we are blessed with unique insights, spiritual gifts, or profound experiences. True spiritual maturity involves giving all glory to God for such encounters, rather than seeking personal recognition or prestige. Finally, the declaration "God knoweth" provides immense comfort. There will always be aspects of our lives, our spiritual journeys, and the divine realm that remain beyond our comprehension. In these moments of uncertainty or confusion, we can find peace and assurance in knowing that God is fully aware, perfectly understands, and sovereignly orchestrates all things according to His perfect plan. Our trust is not in our ability to understand, but in His infinite knowledge and wisdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Paul's humility in recounting this experience challenge our own tendencies to seek recognition for spiritual gifts or experiences?**
* **What comfort can we find in the truth that "God knoweth" even the most mysterious or inexpressible aspects of our lives and faith journeys?**
* **How can we cultivate a greater sense of awe and reverence for the mysterious aspects of God and His work, rather than demanding full comprehension?**

### FAQ
**Who is "such a man" in this verse?**

Answer: While Paul uses the third person ("such a man" or "a man in Christ" in verse 2), it is widely understood by scholars and commentators that Paul is referring to himself. He employs this rhetorical device to express humility and to emphasize that the extraordinary revelation was a divine act, not something he could boast about for his own glory. This approach shifts the focus from Paul's person to the profound nature of the vision itself and God's sovereign hand in it.

**What does Paul mean by "whether in the body, or out of the body"?**

Answer: This phrase indicates Paul's genuine uncertainty about his physical state during the profound spiritual experience of being caught up to the "third heaven" and "Paradise" (verse 2 and 4). It suggests that the experience was so overwhelming and transcendent that he could not discern if his spirit had been separated from his physical body (a disembodied experience) or if his physical body was somehow transported along with his spirit, or if it was a vision so vivid and real that it blurred the lines between physical and spiritual reality. His inability to tell underscores the utterly supernatural and mysterious nature of the event, which transcended normal human perception.

**Why is the phrase "God knoweth" so important in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "God knoweth" is crucial because it provides the ultimate theological resolution to Paul's human uncertainty. While Paul, as the recipient of the revelation, cannot fully explain or comprehend the mechanics of his experience, he declares that God, who orchestrated the event, possesses perfect and complete knowledge of every detail. This statement shifts the focus from human limitation to divine omniscience, affirming God's absolute understanding of all things, even the most profound spiritual mysteries. It serves as a powerful reminder that while we may encounter aspects of faith that are beyond our full comprehension, we can rest securely in the truth that God knows all.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Paul's mysterious rapture to the third heaven, where he heard inexpressible words, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in the uniqueness of the experience itself, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the ultimate revelation of God. Paul's inability to discern "whether in the body, or out of the body" points to the transcendent nature of divine encounters, yet Christ Himself is the perfect embodiment of this transcendence, being both fully God and fully man. He is the one through whom "no one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known" ([John 1:18](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God")). Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of the Invisible God")), and God has spoken to us definitively through His Son ([Hebrews 1:1-3](/hebrews/1-1-3 "Hebrews 1:1-3 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). While Paul's knowledge was limited, Jesus, as the Son, possesses perfect divine knowledge, knowing the Father fully and revealing Him to humanity ([Matthew 11:27](/matthew/11-27 "Matthew 11:27 - No One Knows the Son Except the Father")). Furthermore, the mystery of Paul's experience foreshadows the greater mystery of our union with Christ, where believers are spiritually "in Christ" ([Ephesians 1:3-14](/ephesians/1-3-14 "Ephesians 1:3-14 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")) and partake in a new creation that transcends the purely physical ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")). Our future hope, too, involves a bodily transformation that is currently beyond our full comprehension, yet "God knoweth" what we shall be, for we know that "when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is" ([1 John 3:2](/1_john/3-2 "1 John 3:2 - We Shall Be Like Him")). Thus, Paul's personal, inexpressible revelation ultimately points to the all-sufficient, all-knowing, and all-revealing Christ, in whom all the mysteries of God are perfectly unveiled.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.