I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don’t know; God knows),
Parallel translations
- KJV And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
- BSB And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows—
- NKJV And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—
- NASB And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—
- NLT Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul repeats that this man was caught up, still uncertain whether it was a bodily or out-of-body experience. It matters because he leaves the mystery with God rather than claiming knowledge he does not have.
Overview
The deliberate repetition heightens the wonder while underscoring Paul's humility about the details. He will not pretend to explain the mode of so heavenly an encounter. This careful reticence rebukes the false apostles' showy claims and models honest reverence before God's mysteries.
Cross-references & the web
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Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
How 2 Corinthians 12:3 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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