2 Corinthians 12:3
New International Version
And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—

New Living Translation
Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know

English Standard Version
And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not 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—

Berean Literal Bible
And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know; God knows--

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

New King James Version
And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—

New American Standard Bible
And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—

NASB 1995
And I know how such a man— whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—

NASB 1977
And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—

Legacy Standard Bible
And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—

Amplified Bible
And I know that such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, [only] God knows—

Christian Standard Bible
I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know; God knows—

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know, 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),

Contemporary English Version
As I said, only God really knows if this man was in his body at the time.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I know that this person

International Standard Version
I know that this man—whether in his body or outside of his body, I do not know, but God knows—

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

NET Bible
And I know that this man (whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows)

New Heart English Bible
I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I do not know; God knows),

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

Weymouth New Testament
And I know that this man-- whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know;

World English Bible
I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don’t know; God knows),
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and I have known such a man—whether in the body, whether out of the body, I have not known, God has known—

Berean Literal Bible
And I know such a man--whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know; God knows--

Young's Literal Translation
and I have known such a man -- whether in the body, whether out of the body, I have not known, God hath known, --

Smith's Literal Translation
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, whether out of the body, I know not: God knows;)
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not: God knoweth):

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I know a certain man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I do not know: God knows),

New American Bible
And I know that this person (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows)

New Revised Standard Version
And I know that such a person—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows—
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And I still know this man, but whether in the body or whether without the body, I cannot tell; God knows;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And I knew this man, if in a body or if without the body, I do not know, God himself knows,
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
I also know that such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not: God knows,)

Godbey New Testament
And I knew such a man, whether in the body, or out of the body, I know not; God knows,

Haweis New Testament
And I knew such a man, (whether in the body or out of the body I know not: God knoweth,)

Mace New Testament
but tho' I don't know whether it was in the body, or out of the body, which God only knows,

Weymouth New Testament
And I know that this man-- whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know;

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

Worsley New Testament
And I know such a man (whether then in the body, or out of the body,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Revelation
2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows. 3And I know that this man— whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows— 4was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were too sacred for words, things that man is not permitted to tell.…

Cross References
2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

Philippians 1:23
I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.

1 Thessalonians 4:17
After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:44
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

1 Corinthians 15:50
Now I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

1 Corinthians 15:53
For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality.

Romans 8:23
Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

Romans 8:10-11
But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. / And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.

1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,

Revelation 1:10
On the Lord’s day I was in the Spirit, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet,

Revelation 4:2
At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it.

Ezekiel 37:1
The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by His Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley, and it was full of bones.

Genesis 5:24
Enoch walked with God, and then he was no more, because God had taken him away.

Genesis 28:12
And Jacob had a dream about a ladder that rested on the earth with its top reaching up to heaven, and God’s angels were going up and down the ladder.

1 Kings 18:12
I do not know where the Spirit of the LORD may carry you off when I leave you. Then when I go and tell Ahab and he does not find you, he will kill me. But I, your servant, have feared the LORD from my youth.


Treasury of Scripture

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

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Able Apart Body Caught Outside Paradise Whether
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Able Apart Body Caught Outside Paradise Whether
2 Corinthians 12
1. For commending of his apostleship, though he might glory of his wonderful revelations,
9. yet he rather chooses to glory of his infirmities;
11. blaming the Corinthians for forcing him to this vain boasting.
14. He promises to come to them again; but yet altogether in the affection of a father;
20. although he fears he shall to his grief find many offenders, and public disorders there.














And I know that this man
In this phrase, the Apostle Paul is referring to a man he knows, which is widely understood to be a humble reference to himself. The Greek word for "know" here is "oida," which implies a deep, intuitive knowledge. Paul is emphasizing his certainty about the experience he is about to describe, which is a vision or revelation from the Lord. This reflects the humility and restraint Paul exercises in discussing his spiritual experiences, focusing on the message rather than the messenger.

whether in the body or out of it
This phrase indicates Paul's uncertainty about the physical nature of his experience. The Greek words "en sōmati" (in the body) and "ektos tou sōmatos" (out of the body) suggest a mystical experience that transcends normal human understanding. This highlights the mystery and the divine nature of the vision, suggesting that spiritual experiences can sometimes defy earthly comprehension. It also underscores the idea that God's revelations are not limited by physical constraints.

I do not know
Paul repeats his uncertainty, emphasizing his humility and the ineffable nature of divine encounters. The repetition of "I do not know" (Greek: "ouk oida") serves to remind readers that human understanding is limited when it comes to the mysteries of God. This humility is a key aspect of Paul's character and serves as a model for believers to approach spiritual experiences with reverence and awe.

but God knows
Here, Paul acknowledges that while he may not understand the full nature of his experience, God possesses complete knowledge. The Greek word "theos" for God is used, emphasizing the omniscience and sovereignty of God. This phrase reassures believers that even when they do not understand their circumstances or experiences, they can trust in God's perfect knowledge and wisdom. It is a call to faith, encouraging Christians to rely on God's understanding rather than their own.

(3) And I knew such a man.--Better, as before, I know.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

I know that
οἶδα (oida)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

[this]
τοιοῦτον (toiouton)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5108: (including the other inflections); from toi and houtos; truly this, i.e. Of this sort (to denote character or individuality).

man—
ἄνθρωπον (anthrōpon)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444: A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.

whether
εἴτε (eite)
Conjunction
Strong's 1535: And if, whether. From ei and te; if too.

in
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

[the] body
σώματι (sōmati)
Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4983: Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.

or
εἴτε (eite)
Conjunction
Strong's 1535: And if, whether. From ei and te; if too.

out of
χωρὶς (chōris)
Preposition
Strong's 5565: Apart from, separately from; without. Adverb from chora; at a space, i.e. Separately or apart from.

[it]
σώματος (sōmatos)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4983: Body, flesh; the body of the Church. From sozo; the body, used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively.

I do not know,
οἶδα (oida)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.

[but] God
Θεὸς (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

knows—
οἶδεν (oiden)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1492: To know, remember, appreciate.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 12:3 I know such a man whether (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 12:2
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