2 COR 12:2 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, red:negative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT I know a man in Christ—whether in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know, God knows—such a man having been caught up to the third heaven 14 years ago.

UST Fourteen years ago, God took a certain Christian to the third level of heaven. I am not sure whether God took him there physically or in a dream or spiritually. Only God can be sure how it happened.

BLB I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago--whether in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know; God knows--such a man, having been caught up to the third heaven.

AICNT I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago - whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows - such a one was caught up to the third heaven.

OEB I know a man in union with Christ, who, fourteen years ago – whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows – was caught up (this man of whom I am speaking) to the third heaven.

WEBBE I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago—whether in the body, I don’t know, or whether out of the body, I don’t know; God knows.

WMBB I know a man in Messiah who was caught up into the third heaven fourteen years ago—whether in the body, I don’t know, or whether out of the body, I don’t know; God knows.

NET I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up to the third heaven.

LSV I have known a man in Christ, fourteen years ago—whether in the body I have not known, whether out of the body I have not known, God has known—such a one being snatched up to the third heaven;

FBV I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was taken up to the third heaven (whether physically in the body, or out of it, I don't know, but God knows).

TCNT I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. (Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows.)

T4T The man that I will tell you about is one who believes in Christ. Fourteen years ago he was taken {Christ took him} up into the third heaven, the highest heaven, the place where God is. I do not know whether he went there in his physical body or whether he was outside of his body at that time and only his spirit went. Only God really knows.

LEB I know a man in Christ fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or outside the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven,

BBE I have knowledge of a man in Christ, fourteen years back (if he was in the body, or out of the body, I am not able to say, but God only), who was taken up to the third heaven.

Moff I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. In the body or out of the body? That I do not know: God knows.

Wymth I know a Christian man who fourteen years ago— whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know; God knows—was caught up (this man of whom I am speaking) even to the highest Heaven.

ASV I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven.

DRA I know a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not, or out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up to the third heaven.

YLT I have known a man in Christ, fourteen years ago — whether in the body I have not known, whether out of the body I have not known, God hath known — such an one being caught away unto the third heaven;

Drby I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago, (whether in [the] body I know not, or out of the body I know not, [fn]God knows;) such [a one] caught up to [the] third heaven.

12.2 Elohim

RV I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth), such a one caught up even to the third heaven.
(I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I know not; or whether out of the body, I know not; God knoweth/knows), such a one caught up even to the third heaven. )

SLT I knew a man in Christ before fourteen years, (whether in the body, I know not; whether out of the body, I know not: God knows;) such a one having been carried off even to the third heaven.

Wbstr 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 one caught up to the third heaven.

KJB-1769 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.
(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/knows;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. )

KJB-1611 I knewe a man in Christ aboue foureteene yeeres agoe, whether in the body, I cannot tell, or whether out of the body, I cannot tell, God knoweth: such a one, caught vp to the third heauen.
(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/knows: such a one, caught up to the third heaven.)

Bshps For I knew a ma in Christe, aboue xiiij. yeres ago, (whether he were in the body I can not tell, or whether he were out of the body, I can not tell, God knoweth) that he was taken vp into the thirde heauen:
(For I knew a man in Christ, above 14. years ago, (whether he were in the body I cannot tell, or whether he were out of the body, I cannot tell, God knoweth/knows) that he was taken up into the third heaven:)

Gnva I know a man in Christ aboue fourteene yeeres agone, (whether he were in the body, I can not tell, or out of the body, I can not tell: God knoweth) which was taken vp into the thirde heauen.
(I know a man in Christ above fourteen years agone, (whether he were in the body, I cannot tell, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth/knows) which was taken up into the third heaven. )

Cvdl I knowe a man in Christ aboue fourtene yeares a goo (whether he was in ye body, I can not tell: or whether he was out of the body, I can not tell, God knoweth.) the same was taken vp in to the thirde heauen:
(I know a man in Christ above fourteen years a go (whether he was in ye/you_all body, I cannot tell: or whether he was out of the body, I cannot tell, God knoweth/knows.) the same was taken up in to the third heaven:)

TNT I knowe a man in Christ above .xiiij. yeares agone (whether he weare in the body I cannot tell or whether he were oute of the body I cannot tell god knoweth) which was take vp into the thyrd heven.
(I know a man in Christ above .xiiij. years agone (whether he wear in the body I cannot tell or whether he were out of the body I cannot tell god knoweth/knows) which was take up into the thyrd heaven. )

Wycl I woot a man in Crist that bifore fouretene yeer; whether in bodi, whether out of the bodi, Y woot not, God woot; that siche a man was rauyschid `til to the thridde heuene.
(I know a man in Christ that before fourtene year; whether in body, whether out of the body, I know not, God woot; that such a man was rauyschid till to the third heaven.)

Luth Ich kenne einen Menschen in Christo vor vierzehn Jahren (ist er in dem Leibe gewesen, so weiß ich‘s nicht, oder ist er außer dem Leibe gewesen, so weiß ich‘s auch nicht; GOtt weiß es); derselbige ward entzückt bis in den dritten Himmel.
(I know a people in Christo before/in_front_of fourteen years (ist he in to_him body been, so white I...it not, or is he except to_him body been, so white I...it also not; God white it); the_same what/which entzückt until in the third heaven.)

ClVg Scio hominem in Christo ante annos quatuordecim, sive in corpore nescio, sive extra corpus nescio, Deus scit, raptum hujusmodi usque ad tertium cælum.[fn]
(Scio man in/into/on to_Christ/Messiah before years fourteen, if/or in/into/on body nescio, if/or outside body nescio, God he_knows, raptum of_this_kind until to third the_sky. )

12.2 Scio hominem. Quasi de alio, et res dicitur, et jactantia vitatur. Sive in corpore, sive, etc. Hoc ignoravit Apostolus, utrum quando raptus est, in corpore fuerit anima, an omnino de corpore exierit, adeo ut mortuum corpus jaceret, an secundum modum alium quemdam viventis corporis ubi anima fuerit, mens ejus ad videnda vel audienda ineffabilia illius visionis accepta sit. Et quia hoc incertum erat, ideo forsitan dixit, sive in corpore, sive extra. Raptum. Contra naturam elevatum. Usque ad tertium cœlum. Id est, ad cognitionem Deitatis. Primum cœlum est æreum; secundum, firmamentum; tertium spirituale, ubi angeli et sanctæ animæ Dei fruuntur contemplatione.

12.2 Scio man. As_if from/about another, and thing it_is_said, and they_boastia vitatur. Sive in/into/on body, sive, etc. This he_ignored Apostolus, whether when raptured/abducted it_is, in/into/on body has_been soul, an completely from/about body exierit, so_much as dead body would_lie, an after/second way another someone living body where the_soul has_been, mind his to seenda or audienda ineffabilia of_that vision accepted let_it_be. And because this uncertain was, therefore/for_that_reason perhaps he/she_said, if/or in/into/on body, if/or outside. Raptum. Contra nature elevated. Until to third sky. That it_is, to knowledge deity. Primum sky it_is to_beum; after/second, firmament/support; third spiritual, where messengers/angels and holy soul of_God fruuntur contemplation.

UGNT οἶδα ἄνθρωπον ἐν Χριστῷ πρὸ ἐτῶν δεκατεσσάρων (εἴτε ἐν σώματι οὐκ οἶδα, εἴτε ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματος οὐκ οἶδα, ὁ Θεὸς οἶδεν), ἁρπαγέντα τὸν τοιοῦτον ἕως τρίτου οὐρανοῦ.
(oida anthrōpon en Ⱪristōi pro etōn dekatessarōn (eite en sōmati ouk oida, eite ektos tou sōmatos ouk oida, ho Theos oiden), harpagenta ton toiouton heōs tritou ouranou.)

SBL-GNT οἶδα ἄνθρωπον ἐν Χριστῷ πρὸ ἐτῶν δεκατεσσάρων— εἴτε ἐν σώματι οὐκ οἶδα, εἴτε ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματος οὐκ οἶδα, ὁ θεὸς οἶδεν— ἁρπαγέντα τὸν τοιοῦτον ἕως τρίτου οὐρανοῦ.
(oida anthrōpon en Ⱪristōi pro etōn dekatessarōn— eite en sōmati ouk oida, eite ektos tou sōmatos ouk oida, ho theos oiden— harpagenta ton toiouton heōs tritou ouranou.)

RP-GNT Οἶδα ἄνθρωπον ἐν χριστῷ πρὸ ἐτῶν δεκατεσσάρων - εἴτε ἐν σώματι οὐκ οἶδα· εἴτε ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματος οὐκ οἶδα· ὁ θεὸς οἶδεν - ἁρπαγέντα τὸν τοιοῦτον ἕως τρίτου οὐρανοῦ.
(Oida anthrōpon en ⱪristōi pro etōn dekatessarōn - eite en sōmati ouk oida; eite ektos tou sōmatos ouk oida; ho theos oiden - harpagenta ton toiouton heōs tritou ouranou.)

TC-GNT Οἶδα ἄνθρωπον ἐν Χριστῷ πρὸ ἐτῶν δεκατεσσάρων—εἴτε ἐν σώματι οὐκ οἶδα· εἴτε ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματος οὐκ οἶδα· ὁ Θεὸς οἶδεν—ἁρπαγέντα τὸν τοιοῦτον ἕως τρίτου οὐρανοῦ.
(Oida anthrōpon en Ⱪristōi pro etōn dekatessarōn—eite en sōmati ouk oida; eite ektos tou sōmatos ouk oida; ho Theos oiden—harpagenta ton toiouton heōs tritou ouranou. )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs, red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 12:1–10: Paul’s vision and God’s promise to him

In this section, Paul continued boasting, but now about a vision he received (12:1). He spoke of a man who had seen into heaven through a vision (12:2). He indicated in 12:7 that he was the man who had seen the vision. But he spoke of another man to avoid sounding as if he was boasting. He did not want people to stop honoring him because he had seen that vision. He was not sure whether his body had been taken to heaven or whether it was only a vision (12:3). In the vision he saw amazing things (12:4). He told the Corinthians that regarding himself, he would only boast of his weaknesses (12:5). He explained why he normally avoided speaking of that vision (12:6).

Paul told of a physical ailment and why he had it (12:7). He told them that he had prayed that God would heal it (12:8). But God had said that he would not heal it. He promised that his grace would be enough to help Paul in all that he did (12:9a). God said that having that physical ailment would help show that God’s power was working though Paul (12:9b). So Paul was glad to boast in this weakness (12:9c), because when he was weak, then God’s power was strong (12:9d). He explained why he was happy when trouble occurred (12:10).

Other examples for this section heading are:

Paul’s Vision and His Thorn (NIV)

Paul discovered that God’s grace was sufficient when he was weak

God’s grace and power shown through human weakness

12:2a–5c

I know a man in Christ…: Paul spoke about his own visions and revelations of heaven as if someone else had seen them. 12:7 makes it clear that it was Paul who had seen them. Paul wanted to tell the believers in Corinth about his experience of seeing visions. Then they would know that he was not lacking in such experiences.

But he did not want to act like the false teachers. They boasted about such experiences so that the believers would esteem them as powerful men of God. Paul did not want to boast about himself like that (12:5b). So he spoke about himself regarding these experiences in the third person (using “he” and “him” instead of “I” and “me”).

In many languages a literal translation would wrongly indicate that someone else had these visions and revelations and Paul did not. If that is true in your language, you may want to explain in a footnote why Paul spoke about himself using “he” and “him.” Example footnotes are:

Paul spoke about his own visions and revelations of heaven as if someone else had seen them. 12:7 makes it clear that it was Paul who had seen them. Paul wanted to tell the believers in Corinth of his experience of seeing visions so that they would know that he was not lacking in such experiences. But Paul did not want to boast about himself as the false teachers were doing.

Paul spoke about his own visions and revelations of heaven as if someone else had seen them. He did that to avoid speaking as if he were boasting about himself. He did not want to act like the false teachers. They boasted about themselves.

12:2a–4a

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows—was caught up to Paradise.: In the Greek, Paul interrupts himself twice in the middle of a sentence. The order of clauses in the Greek is:

^2aI know a man in Christ ^2bwho fourteen years ago—

^2cwhether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—

^2bwas caught up to the third heaven.

^3aAnd I know that this man—

^3bwhether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—

^4awas caught up to paradise.

The BSB puts the Greek 12:2b before the Greek 12:2c but does not move 12:3b. You may want to:

Follow the order of the clauses in the Greek. In some languages it is natural to do so. For example:
^2aI know a man in Christ ^2bwho fourteen years ago—^2cwhether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—^2bsuch a man was caught up to the third heaven. ^3aAnd I know how such a man—^3bwhether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—^4awas caught up into Paradise. (NASB)
Move the interruptions to the beginning of the sentences. For example:
^2cWhether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows, ^2abut I know a man in Christ ^2bwho fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. ^3bAnd whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know—God knows, ^3aI know that such a man ^4awas caught up into Paradise.
Move the interruptions to the end of the sentences. For example:
^2abut I know a man in Christ ^2bwho fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. ^2cWhether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. ^3aAnd I know that such a man ^4awas caught up into Paradise. ^3bWhether in the body or apart from the body I do not know—God knows. Doing it this way, you would need to combine verse markers 3 and 4 in your translation like this:
^3–4And I know that…

12:2a

I know a man in Christ

I know a man/person who has a relationship with Christ,
I know a follower of Christ,

a man in Christ: This phrase refers to a person who believes in Christ. He belongs to Christ. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

a man who belongs to Christ

a follower of Christ (GW)

a believerWestern Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation on TW.

See how you translated a similar phrase in 5:17 (“if anyone is in Christ”).

a man: Paul was speaking of himself here, but used the phrase a man to speak humbly about himself.

12:2b

who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven.

who was grabbed and lifted to the third heaven fourteen years ago—
and fourteen years ago God suddenly/unexpectedly took this person above the sky, above the stars, to the place where God lives.

who fourteen years ago was caught up: This clause is passive. God brought him up to heaven. Some languages must use an active clause. For example:

whom fourteen years ago God caught up

caught up: This phrase refers to being forcefully grabbed and taken in an upward direction. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

taken up (CEV)

lifted

third heaven: This phrase refers to the place where God lives. In the Greek way of speaking, the first heaven is where the birds fly and the clouds are. The second heaven is where the sun, moon, and stars are. In some languages a literal translation would not refer to the place where God lives. If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Translate literally and explain the meaning in a footnote. An example footnote is:
This phrase refers to the place where God lives. In the Greek way of speaking, the first heaven is where the birds fly and the clouds are. The second heaven is where the sun, moon, and stars are. The third heaven is the place where God lives.
Translate the cultural meaning. For example:
the heaven/place where God lives
the highest heaven/sky
the place beyond the sun, moon, and stars

12:2c

Whether it was in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows.

I do not know whether his spirit was in the body or apart from the body, only God knows.
I do not know whether he was there in his physical body, or whether he was there only with his spirit. Only God knows. that.

in the body or out of it: The phrase in the body refers to God taking Paul’s body and spirit to heaven. The phrase out of it refers to God taking only Paul’s spirit to heaven. Paul did not know which way it happened. Other ways to translate this are:

in the body or away from the body

physically or spiritually (GW)

spirit as well as body, or only spirit

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

οἶδα ἄνθρωπον ἐν Χριστῷ πρὸ ἐτῶν δεκατεσσάρων (εἴτε ἐν σώματι οὐκ οἶδα, εἴτε ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματος οὐκ οἶδα, ὁ Θεὸς οἶδεν), ἁρπαγέντα τὸν τοιοῦτον ἕως τρίτου οὐρανοῦ

˱I˲_˓have˒_known ˱I˲_˓have˒_known (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Οἶδα ἄνθρωπον ἐν Χριστῷ πρό ἐτῶν δεκατεσσάρων εἴτε ἐν σώματι οὐκ οἶδα εἴτε ἐκτός τοῦ σώματος οὐκ οἶδα ὁ Θεός οἶδεν ἁρπαγέντα τόν τοιοῦτον ἕως τρίτου οὐρανοῦ)

Here, the clauses whether in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know, God knows interrupt the sentence to indicate that Paul does not know exactly what form the ascent into heaven took. If it would be helpful in your language, you could move these clauses to wherever they would naturally appear in your language. Alternate translation: [Whether this happened in the body, I do not know, or out of the body, I do not know, God knows. However it happened, I know about a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven 14 years ago]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / 123person

οἶδα ἄνθρωπον ἐν Χριστῷ πρὸ ἐτῶν δεκατεσσάρων & ἁρπαγέντα τὸν τοιοῦτον ἕως τρίτου οὐρανοῦ

In [12:2–5](../12/02.md), Paul uses the third person to speak about a person who traveled to the third heaven. It is clear from [12:6–7](../12/06.md) that he is actually speaking about himself. So, Paul uses the third person to avoid boasting directly about himself. If possible, use the third person in [12:2–5](../12/02.md) and reveal later that Paul himself is this man. If necessary, you could reveal in this verse that Paul is speaking about himself. Make sure your translation here fits with how you translate [12:3–5](../12/03.md). Alternate translation: [I know a man in Christ … such a man having been caught up to the third heaven 14 years ago. That man is me.] or [I know a man in Christ, that is, me … I was caught up to the third heaven 14 years ago]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἄνθρωπον ἐν Χριστῷ

˓a˒_man in Christ

Here Paul uses the spatial metaphor in Christ to describe the union of believers with Christ. In this case, being in Christ, or united to Christ, indicates that the man believes in Christ. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that refers to a believer or Christian. Alternate translation: [man united to Christ] or [a believer]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

εἴτε ἐν σώματι οὐκ οἶδα, εἴτε ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματος οὐκ οἶδα

whether in ˓the˒_body not ˱I˲_˓have˒_known or (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Οἶδα ἄνθρωπον ἐν Χριστῷ πρό ἐτῶν δεκατεσσάρων εἴτε ἐν σώματι οὐκ οἶδα εἴτε ἐκτός τοῦ σώματος οὐκ οἶδα ὁ Θεός οἶδεν ἁρπαγέντα τόν τοιοῦτον ἕως τρίτου οὐρανοῦ)

Here Paul refers to a common question related to stories about people traveling to heaven: in what way does the person ascend into heaven? There were three primary ways a person could ascend: they could go into heaven physically in their body, they could go into heaven in a dream, or they could go into heaven with only their non-physical part, that is, their spirit. Here Paul indicates that he does not know in what way the man in Christ ascended into heaven. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make the idea more explicit. Alternate translation: [whether in bodily form, I do not know, or not in bodily form, I do not know] or [whether physically, I do not know, or spiritually, I do not know]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / doublet

εἴτε ἐν σώματι οὐκ οἶδα, εἴτε ἐκτὸς τοῦ σώματος οὐκ οἶδα

Here Paul repeats I do not know in order to emphasize his lack of knowledge. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: [whether in the body or out of the body, I certainly do not know]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

ἁρπαγέντα τὸν τοιοῦτον

˓having_been˒_snatched (Some words not found in SR-GNT: Οἶδα ἄνθρωπον ἐν Χριστῷ πρό ἐτῶν δεκατεσσάρων εἴτε ἐν σώματι οὐκ οἶδα εἴτε ἐκτός τοῦ σώματος οὐκ οἶδα ὁ Θεός οἶδεν ἁρπαγέντα τόν τοιοῦτον ἕως τρίτου οὐρανοῦ)

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who did the action, Paul implies that it was God. Alternate translation: [God having caught up such a man]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἕως τρίτου οὐρανοῦ

to ˓the˒_third heaven

Many people in Paul’s culture believed that the space that they called “heaven” contained multiple layers or spheres of individual heavens. Here, Paul refers to the third heaven. Since he does not specify how many heavens he thinks there are, it is best not to clarify whether this is the highest heaven or not. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a form that refers more clearly to the third out of multiple heavens. Alternate translation: [up to the third out of multiple heavens] or [into the third sphere of heaven]