Topical Bible: Paul: Caught up to the Third Heaven

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The Apostle Paul's experience of being "caught up to the third heaven" is a significant event recorded in the New Testament, specifically in 2 Corinthians 12:1-7. This passage provides insight into the spiritual experiences and revelations granted to Paul, which he describes with a sense of humility and reticence.

Biblical Account

In 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 , Paul writes, "I 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 the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, but God knows—was caught up into Paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell."

Paul refers to himself in the third person, a rhetorical technique that underscores his reluctance to boast about his spiritual experiences. The "third heaven" is understood within Jewish cosmology as the highest realm of heaven, the dwelling place of God, beyond the atmospheric and stellar heavens. This aligns with the concept of "Paradise," a term used to describe the abode of the righteous and the presence of God.

Theological Significance

Paul's vision of the third heaven is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it affirms the reality of spiritual experiences and divine revelations in the life of a believer. Paul's encounter serves as a testament to the profound mysteries of God that are beyond human comprehension. The apostle's experience is not merely a personal privilege but a validation of his apostolic authority and the divine origin of his message.

Secondly, the event highlights the theme of humility. Despite the grandeur of his revelation, Paul is careful to avoid boasting. In 2 Corinthians 12:5 , he states, "I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses." This humility is further emphasized by the "thorn in the flesh" mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:7, which Paul describes as a means to prevent him from becoming conceited due to the "surpassingly great revelations."

Context and Implications

The context of Paul's revelation is crucial to understanding its purpose. The Corinthian church was plagued by false apostles and teachers who boasted of their spiritual experiences and credentials. Paul's account serves as a counter-narrative, emphasizing that true spiritual authority is marked by humility, suffering, and reliance on God's grace.

Paul's experience also provides a glimpse into the eschatological hope of believers. The vision of the third heaven assures Christians of the reality of eternal life and the promise of being in the presence of God. It reinforces the belief in a transcendent reality that awaits those who are in Christ.

Conclusion

Paul's account of being caught up to the third heaven remains a profound and mysterious event within the Christian tradition. It underscores the depth of divine revelation, the importance of humility, and the hope of eternal communion with God. Through this experience, Paul exemplifies the balance between spiritual privilege and the call to live a life marked by grace and humility.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Corinthians 12:1-4
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

St. Peter's Further vindication St. Paul not Superior to St. Peter ...
... Now, although Paul was carried away even to the third heaven, and was caught up
to paradise, [2110] and heard certain revelations there, yet these cannot ...
/.../chapter xxiv st peters further vindication.htm

The Apostle Paul could Know the Third Heaven and Paradise, but not ...
... The apostle was caught up into the third heaven, and heard unspeakable ... The third
heaven, of course, and paradise were not the Apostle Paul himself; but ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 12 viii the apostle paul.htm

Read the Book on the Resurrection by St. Methodius
... Paul had two revelations. ... of those who knew how to observe the niceties of language,
when he says, "I know such a man caught up to the third heaven; and I ...
/.../methodius/from the discourse on the resurrection/part iii read the book.htm

The Central Sun
... Paul believed this, we cannot tell. He speaks of being himself caught up into the
third heaven, and here Christ is spoken of as ascending above all heavens. ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxx the central sun.htm

Paul Also Makes Contradictory Statements About Himself, and Acts ...
... do I practise, but what I hate that do I." And he too who was caught up to the third
heaven and heard unspeakable words [5001] is a different Paul from him who ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/5 paul also makes contradictory.htm

Of the Double Heaven, --The visible, and the Heaven of Heavens.
... of heaven" (Genesis 1:17) in which the stars have their courses; nor both these
together; but that "third heaven" to which Paul was "caught up" (2 Corinthians ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter ii of the double heaventhe.htm

The Saint Having Turned to God the Father, Explains Why He Does ...
... of the body, I cannot tell, God knoweth, how he was caught up into Paradise and
heard unspeakable words." [2827] Paul carried up to the third heaven, knew not ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xix the saint having.htm

And Many Monks have Related with the Greatest Agreement and ...
... he says, whether in the body I know not, or whether out of the body I know not;
God knoweth [1111] .' But Paul was caught up unto the third heaven, and having ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/life of antony section 65.htm

That the Ruler Should be a Near Neighbour to Every one in ...
... For hence it is that Paul is caught up into Paradise (2 Corinthians 12:3) and explores
the secrets of the third heaven, and, yet, though borne aloft in that ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter v that the ruler.htm

Revelation of Paul.
... Revelation of the holy Apostle Paul: the things which were revealed to him when
he went up even to the third heaven, and was caught up into paradise, and heard ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/revelation of paul/revelation of paul.htm