2 Corinthians 12:1-7
New Matthew Bible
Paul is taken up into the third heaven and hears words not to be spoken of.
12 No doubt it is not seemly for me to boast. Nevertheless, I will come to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ about fourteen years ago (whether he was in the body I cannot tell, or whether he was out of the body I cannot tell, God knows) who was taken up into the third heaven. 3 And I know the same man (whether in the body or out of the body I cannot tell, God knows), 4 how he was taken up into Paradise and heard words not to be spoken, which no man can utter. 5 Of this man I will boast. Of myself I will not boast, unless it be of my infirmities. 6 And yet if I chose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. Nevertheless, I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be, or hears from me.
7 And lest I should be unduly lifted up through the greatness of the revelations, there was given to me unquietness of the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me – because I should not be unduly lifted up.
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2 Corinthians 12:1-7
1599 Geneva Bible
12 1 He doth even unwillingly make rehearsal, 3 of the heavenly visions, 4 that were revealed unto him, 6 for which though he might indeed glory, yet he will not, 10 being privy of his own infirmities: 11 but they drive him to this kind of folly, 20 in that they give ear to certain vainglorious persons, who draw them from Christ.
1 It [a]is not expedient for me no doubt to rejoice: for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.
2 I know a man [b]in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether he were in the body, I cannot tell, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth) which was taken up into the [c]third heaven.
3 And I know such a man (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth.)
4 How that he was taken up into [d]Paradise, and heard words which [e]cannot be spoken, which are not [f]possible for man to utter.
5 [g]Of such a man will I rejoice: of myself will I not rejoice, except it be of mine infirmities.
6 For though I would rejoice, I should not be a fool, for I will say the truth: but I refrain, lest any man should think of me above that he seeth in me, or that he heareth of me.
7 [h]And lest I should be exalted out of measure through the abundance of revelations, there was given unto me a [i]prick in the flesh, the messenger of [j]Satan to buffet me, because I should not be exalted out of measure.
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- 2 Corinthians 12:1 He goeth forward in his purpose, and because those bragging mates boasted of revelations, he reckoneth up those things which lift him up above the common capacity of men: but he useth a preface, and excuseth himself advisedly.
- 2 Corinthians 12:2 I speak this in Christ, that is, be it spoken without vainglory, for I seek nothing but Christ Jesus only.
- 2 Corinthians 12:2 Into the highest heaven: for we need not to dispute subtly upon the word (Third) but yet this place is to be marked against them which would make heaven to [be] everywhere.
- 2 Corinthians 12:4 So the Grecians name that which we call a park, that is to say, a place where trees are planted, and wild beasts kept, by which name they that translated the old Testament out of the Hebrew into Greek, called the garden Eden, whereunto Adam was put straight after his creation, as a most delicate and pleasant place. And hereunto grew it, that that blessed seat of the glory of God is called by that name.
- 2 Corinthians 12:4 Which no man is able to utter.
- 2 Corinthians 12:4 Which the Saints themselves are not by any means able to express, because it is God himself. Thus doth Clement Alexandria expound this place, Strom. 5.
- 2 Corinthians 12:5 To remove all suspicion of ambition he witnesseth that he braggeth not of those things as his own, but as out of himself, and yet notwithstanding faineth nothing, lest by this occasion other men should attribute more unto him than indeed he is: and therefore he had rather glory in his miseries.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7 An excellent doctrine: why God will have even his best servants to be vexed of Satan and by all kinds of temptations, to wit, lest they should be too much puffed up, and also that they may be made perfect by that continual exercise.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7 He meaneth concupiscence, that sticketh fast in us, as it were a prick, insomuch that it constrained Paul himself being regenerate, to cry out, I do not that good that I would, etc. And he calleth it a prick, by a borrowed kind of speech taken from thorns, or stumps, which are very dangerous and hurtful for the feet, if a man walks through woods that are cut down.
- 2 Corinthians 12:7 Which setteth those lusts on fire.
2 Corinthians 12:1-7
Authorized (King James) Version
12 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 how that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
Read full chapterCopyright © 2016 by Ruth Magnusson (Davis). Includes emendations to February 2022. All rights reserved.
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