2 Corinthians 12:3 Meaning and Explanation
“And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Paul repeats his account of this man, again confessing that only God knows whether the experience was bodily or not.
What Does 2 Corinthians 12:3 Mean?
Paul restates the experience he began describing, a deliberate repetition that underscores both its reality and its mystery. Once more he sets aside the question of how it happened, whether in the body or out of the body. He will not pretend to knowledge he does not possess.
This careful honesty is itself a witness. Paul could have embellished, but instead he hands the unknown back to God: God knoweth. In a passage about the highest of spiritual privileges, Paul keeps returning us to the limits of human understanding and the sufficiency of divine knowledge. What we cannot explain, God fully comprehends, and that is enough.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Corinthians 12:3
What does 2 Corinthians 12:3 mean?
Paul repeats his account of this man, again confessing that only God knows whether the experience was bodily or not.