was caught up to Paradise.This phrase refers to a spiritual experience where Paul was taken to a heavenly realm. "Paradise" is often understood as a place of divine presence and bliss, akin to the Garden of Eden (
Genesis 2:8) and the promise of eternal life (
Luke 23:43). In Jewish and early Christian thought, Paradise is sometimes equated with the third heaven, a concept of layered heavens. This experience underscores the reality of the spiritual realm and the hope of eternal communion with God.
The things he heard were inexpressible,
Paul's encounter involved hearing divine revelations that were beyond human language. This suggests the limitations of human understanding when faced with the divine. The inexpressibility of these revelations highlights the sacredness and mystery of God's communication, similar to the ineffable name of God in the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14). It emphasizes the transcendence of God's wisdom and the depth of spiritual truths that surpass human comprehension.
things that man is not permitted to tell.
This indicates that certain divine revelations are not meant for public disclosure, reflecting a theme of divine secrecy found in other scriptures (Deuteronomy 29:29). It suggests that some aspects of God's plan are reserved for His timing and purposes. This also parallels the idea of Jesus instructing His disciples to keep certain revelations private until the appropriate time (Matthew 17:9). It underscores the responsibility and humility required in handling divine knowledge.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Paul the ApostleThe author of 2 Corinthians, who is recounting a personal experience of being caught up to Paradise.
2.
ParadiseA term used to describe a place of divine presence and bliss, often associated with heaven.
3.
The Third HeavenAlthough not mentioned in this specific verse, earlier in the chapter, Paul refers to being caught up to the third heaven, which is synonymous with Paradise in this context.
4.
The Unutterable WordsThe sacred and indescribable revelations Paul received, which he was not permitted to disclose.
5.
The Corinthian ChurchThe recipients of Paul's letter, who were being addressed regarding issues of spiritual authority and authenticity.
Teaching Points
The Reality of Heavenly ExperiencesPaul’s experience reminds us that spiritual realities exist beyond our earthly understanding. Believers can trust in the reality of heaven and the promises of God.
The Sacredness of Divine RevelationNot all spiritual experiences are meant to be shared. Some revelations are personal and sacred, meant to deepen our relationship with God rather than be broadcasted.
Humility in Spiritual ExperiencesPaul’s reluctance to boast about his experience teaches us humility. Spiritual experiences should lead to greater humility and dependence on God, not pride.
The Limitations of Human LanguageThe indescribable nature of what Paul heard in Paradise highlights the limitations of human language in conveying divine truths. This calls us to a deeper faith and trust in God’s mysteries.
Encouragement in TrialsKnowing that Paul experienced such profound revelations yet faced many trials encourages believers to persevere, trusting that God’s grace is sufficient.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 12:4?
2.What does Paul's experience in 2 Corinthians 12:4 teach about heavenly mysteries?
3.How can we apply Paul's humility from 2 Corinthians 12:4 in our lives?
4.Why is it important to respect divine revelations as Paul did in 2 Corinthians 12:4?
5.How does 2 Corinthians 12:4 connect with other biblical accounts of heavenly visions?
6.What can we learn about God's communication methods from 2 Corinthians 12:4?
7.What does "inexpressible things" in 2 Corinthians 12:4 reveal about divine mysteries beyond human comprehension?
8.How does 2 Corinthians 12:4 challenge our understanding of heavenly experiences and their communication?
9.Why was Paul forbidden to speak of what he heard in paradise according to 2 Corinthians 12:4?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Corinthians 12?
11.If Paul heard “inexpressible things” (2 Corinthians 12:4), why does he offer no verifiable details, and should this cast doubt on his account?
12.Is '90 Minutes in Heaven' biblically accurate?
13.What is considered the heavenly language?
14.If the “seven thunders” speak words that remain sealed (Revelation 10:4), how can we reconcile that with the Bible’s claim to reveal truth?What Does 2 Corinthians 12:4 Mean
Was caught up to Paradise“...was caught up to Paradise...” (2 Corinthians 12:4)
• Paul is describing an actual event in which God “caught” (snatched) him into the very dwelling place of the Lord. The same verb appears for the rapture of the church in1 Thessalonians 4:17, showing an unmistakable, literal transportation.
• “Paradise” is another name for the “third heaven” mentioned in2 Corinthians 12:2 and corresponds to the immediate presence of God. Jesus used the term when assuring the repentant thief, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).Revelation 2:7 links Paradise with the future garden of God.
• This moment reinforces that believers are “away from the body and at home with the Lord” when they depart this life (2 Corinthians 5:8;Philippians 1:23).
• By placing the emphasis on God’s action—Paul does not even claim awareness of whether he was in or out of the body—Scripture underscores that heavenly access is God-initiated, not self-generated (John 6:44).
The things he heard were inexpressible“...and he heard inexpressible words...” (2 Corinthians 12:4)
• The revelation Paul received surpassed the capacity of human language. Similar wonder is echoed in1 Corinthians 2:9-10 where the Spirit reveals what “no eye has seen, no ear has heard.”
•Isaiah 6:1-4 andEzekiel 1:26-28 show prophets struggling for words when confronted with God’s glory; Paul’s experience is even more intense—no description at all is offered.
•Revelation 10:3-4 records thunderous voices that John was told to seal up, illustrating that some heavenly communications remain beyond public expression.
• The silence serves a purpose: it shifts attention from spectacular details to the sufficiency of Christ’s grace (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Things that man is not permitted to tell“...things that man is not permitted to tell.” (2 Corinthians 12:4)
• God sometimes withholds certain truths;Deuteronomy 29:29 reminds us, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God.”
• Jesus Himself set temporary restrictions on disclosure (Matthew 17:9) and promised more revelation when His disciples could bear it (John 16:12).
• By obeying the prohibition, Paul models humility—refusing to leverage heavenly visions for personal status (2 Corinthians 12:5-6).
• The restraint protects the church from speculation and centers attention on Scripture’s clear message.Revelation 22:18-19 warns against adding to or taking from God’s words; Paul honors that boundary here.
summaryPaul’s ascent to Paradise was a literal, God-initiated transport into the heavenly realm. There he encountered realities so glorious that human speech could not convey them, and God forbade him to repeat what he heard. The passage teaches that heaven is real, God alone grants access, some revelations remain locked in His wisdom, and our focus must stay on the grace already revealed in Christ.
(4)
That he was caught up into paradise.--The stress laid on this second vision hinders us from thinking of it as identical with the former, either in time or in object-matter. Paradise (see Note on
Luke 23:43) was emphatically the dwelling-place of the souls of the righteous, the reproduction in the unseen world of the lost beauty of the Garden of Eden--the "paradise of joy," as the LXX. in
Genesis 2:15 translates the name. There, flowing about the throne of God, was the fountain of the water of life, and the tree of life growing on its banks (
Revelation 2:7;
Revelation 22:1-2). Speculations on the question whether St. Paul thought of it as nearer or farther from earth than the third heaven are obviously idle and profitless. The nearest approach which we can make to an adequate distinction between the two visions is that the first revealed to his gaze the glory of the Throne of God, with angels and archangels round it, and seraphim and cherubim,--a vision like that of Moses (
Exodus 24:10), and Isaiah (
Isaiah 6:1-3), and Ezekiel (
Ezekiel 1:4-28), and St. John (
Revelation 4:2-11)--thoughts like those of Hooker's death-bed (Walton's
Life)--while the latter brought before his spirit the peace and rest ineffable, even in their intermediate and therefore imperfect state, of the souls who had fallen asleep in Christ and were waiting for their resurrection. . . .
Verse 4. -
Into Paradise. Here, again, we encounter long speculations as to whether Paradise is the same as the third heaven; whether St.,Paul is referring to two visions or two parts of one vision. Such questions are clearly insoluble, and I leave them where I find them. We shall never understand this passage otherwise than in the dim and vague outline in which St. Paul has purposely left it. All that we can know from the New Testament about Paradise must be learnt from this verse and
Luke 23:43 and
Revelation 2:7, and it is extremely little.
Unspeakable words. A figure of speech called an oxymoron. Utterances (or "things") incapable of utterance.
Not lawful for a man to utter. How futile, then, must be the attempt to guess what they were, or on what subject!
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
was caught upἡρπάγη(hērpagē)Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 726:To seize, snatch, obtain by robbery. From a derivative of haireomai; to seize.intoεἰς(eis)Preposition
Strong's 1519:A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.Paradise.Παράδεισον(Paradeison)Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3857:Paradise. Of Oriental origin; a park, i.e., an Eden.[The things] he heardἤκουσεν(ēkousen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 191:To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.[were] too sacredἄρρητα(arrēta)Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 731:Not to be uttered (because too sacred), secret, unspeakable, unspoken. Unsaid, i.e. inexpressible.for words,ῥήματα(rhēmata)Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 4487:From rheo; an utterance, ; by implication, a matter or topic; with a negative naught whatever.things thatἃ(ha)Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3739:Who, which, what, that.manἀνθρώπῳ(anthrōpō)Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 444:A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.is not permittedἐξὸν(exon)Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1832:It is permitted, lawful, possible.to tell.λαλῆσαι(lalēsai)Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2980:A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.
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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 12:4 How he was caught up into Paradise (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor) 
