2 Corinthians 12:4 is confusing me!

[Holly3278]

2Co 12:4 KJV How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

How does one interpret this verse? Is it talking about somebody who was assumed in to Heaven?

 

[JeanneH]

Hi Holly

2Co 12:4 KJV How that he was
caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

How does one interpret this verse? Is it talking about somebody who was assumed in to Heaven?

This is a meaning of the word “caught” from the Strongs concordance:

New Testament Greek Definition:
726 harpazo {har-pad’-zo}
from a derivative of 138; TDNT - 1:472,80; v
AV - catch up 4, take by force 3, catch away 2, pluck 2,
catch 1, pull 1; 13

1. to seize, carry off by force
2. to seize on, claim for one’s self eagerly
3. to snatch out or away

I guess from the Greek meaning of the word one might think that this person was assumed into heaven.

This is from the Haydock commentary for the above verse:

Ver. 4. Caught up into paradise. St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas are of opinion that this third heaven and paradise are the same place, and designate the abode of the blessed. In order to understand the language of the apostle, we must observe that the Hebrews distinguished three different heavens. The first comprised the air, the clouds, &c. as far as the fixed stars. The second included all the fixed stars; and the third was the abode of Angels, in which God himself discovered his infinite glory, &c. The first is called in Scripture simply the heavens, the second the firmament, and the third heaven the heaven of heavens. (Calmet)

JeanneH

 

[ALLFORHIM]

This is what my study bible says about the verse.

Paul is unsure whether this remarkable experience included his body or took place seperate from it(Ezekial 8:3) The “Third Heaven” designates a place beyond the immediate heaven of the earth’s atmosphere and beyond the further heaven of outer space into the presence of God Himself. Thus the risen and glorified Jesus Christ is said to have passed “through the heavens”(Heb 4:14–see not also) and now, having “ascended higher than all the heavens”(Eph 4:10), to be “exalted above the heavens”(Hebrews 7:26). The term “paradise”(see Ne 2:8, Luke 23:43,Rev 2:7) is synonymous with the third heaven, where believers who have died are “at home with the Lord”(5:8-see notes) “with Christ” Phillipians 1:23)

I have an NIV study bible–that is why it says see notes. If you have a study bible see what your notes say.

 

[SilentKnight]

2Co 12:4 KJV How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

How does one interpret this verse?

Literally.

Is it talking about somebody who was assumed in to Heaven?

Yes, whether, as Paul says, in actual body or just in spirit, he doesn’t know. And, presumably we’re talking just for a few or several minutes. He was caught up to heaven in a state of ecstasy, or “enraptured”, basically.

As for hearing words that “no man is allowed to utter”, this is obviously a mystical experience so there may be no earthly “translation” for the words the man heard. Or, he may have been given word about things that had yet to come to pass on the earth, for example. There are a large number of possibilities.

Peace,

SK

 

[Holly3278]

Interesting! Thanks everyone!