What is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 12:3? And I know “ And I know ” shows Paul’s settled certainty that the experience he is describing really happened. • 2 Corinthians 5:1 echoes the same confidence: “We know that if the earthly tent we live in is dismantled, we have a building from God.” • His assurance is rooted in divine revelation, not imagination, much like the certainty found in Galatians 1:11–12, where Paul insists the gospel he preaches is “not from man… but by a revelation of Jesus Christ.” This opening phrase invites believers to rest in God’s revealed truth rather than speculation. that this man By referring to himself in the third person, Paul models humility. • 2 Corinthians 12:5 clarifies his intent: “I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses.” • Similar restraint appears in 2 Corinthians 11:30, where he boasts only of “the things that show my weakness.” Paul wants the focus on God’s grace, not on personal accolades, encouraging us to direct praise upward, in line with Jeremiah 9:23–24’s warning against self-boasting. whether in the body or out of it I do not know Paul admits he cannot explain the mechanics of the vision. • 2 Corinthians 5:6–8 reminds us that life “in the body” or “away from the body” is entirely under God’s purview. • 1 Corinthians 15:50 teaches that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God,” underscoring that heavenly realities transcend earthly categories. This honest uncertainty underscores the mystery of divine encounters and cautions believers against forcing neat, earthly explanations onto spiritual experiences. but God knows God’s perfect knowledge settles the matter. • Hebrews 4:13 affirms, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.” • 1 John 3:20 comforts, “God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things.” Paul relinquishes the need for full understanding, resting in God’s omniscience and sovereignty. This trust models Proverbs 3:5-6, leaning not on our own understanding but acknowledging Him in every experience. summary Paul’s brief parenthetical statement teaches: • We can be absolutely certain about the reality of divine revelation (“I know”). • Humility keeps the spotlight on Christ, not the servant (“that this man”). • Some spiritual truths remain beyond our current comprehension (“whether in the body or out of it I do not know”). • God’s perfect knowledge is enough; His omniscience anchors our faith (“but God knows”). Taken together, 2 Corinthians 12:3 calls believers to confident faith, humble self-effacement, peaceful acceptance of mystery, and total trust in the all-knowing God. |
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