2 Corinthians 12:4
New International Version
was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.

New Living Translation
that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.

English Standard Version
and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.

Berean Standard Bible
was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were inexpressible, things that man is not permitted to tell.

Berean Literal Bible
that he was caught up into Paradise, and he heard inexpressible words, not being permitted to man to speak.

King James Bible
How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

New King James Version
how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

New American Standard Bible
was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

NASB 1995
was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

NASB 1977
was caught up into Paradise, and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

Legacy Standard Bible
was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.

Amplified Bible
was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words which man is not permitted to speak [words too sacred to tell].

Christian Standard Bible
was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a human being is not allowed to speak.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak.

American Standard Version
how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Contemporary English Version
But he was taken up into paradise, where he heard things too wonderful to tell.

English Revised Version
how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
was snatched away to paradise where he heard things that can't be expressed in words, things that humans cannot put into words. I don't know whether this happened to him physically or spiritually. Only God knows.

International Standard Version
was snatched away to Paradise and heard things that cannot be expressed in words, things that no human being has a right even to mention.

Majority Standard Bible
was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were inexpressible, things that man is not permitted to tell.

NET Bible
was caught up into paradise and heard things too sacred to be put into words, things that a person is not permitted to speak.

New Heart English Bible
how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a human to utter.

Webster's Bible Translation
That he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Weymouth New Testament
God knows--was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable things which no human being is permitted to repeat.

World English Bible
how he was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
that he was snatched up to the paradise, and heard unutterable sayings, that it is not possible for man to speak.

Berean Literal Bible
that he was caught up into Paradise, and he heard inexpressible words, not being permitted to man to speak.

Young's Literal Translation
that he was caught away to the paradise, and heard unutterable sayings, that it is not possible for man to speak.

Smith's Literal Translation
That he was carried off into paradise, and heard words not to be told, which it was not permitted man to speak.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
That he was caught up into paradise, and heard secret words, which it is not granted to man to utter.

Catholic Public Domain Version
who was enraptured into Paradise. And he heard words of mystery, which it is not permitted for man to speak.

New American Bible
was caught up into Paradise and heard ineffable things, which no one may utter.

New Revised Standard Version
was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
How that he was caught up to paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Who was snatched up to Paradise and heard words that are unspeakable, because it is not authorized for a man to speak them.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
was caught away to Paradise, and heard words not to be spoken, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Godbey New Testament
that he was caught up to Paradise, and heard unutterable words, which it is impossible for a man to speak.

Haweis New Testament
that he was caught up into paradise, and heard ineffable words, which it is not permitted to man to speak.

Mace New Testament
this I know, that he was snatch'd up into paradise, and heard such secrets as it is not lawful for a man to reveal.

Weymouth New Testament
God knows--was caught up into Paradise and heard unspeakable things which no human being is permitted to repeat.

Worrell New Testament
that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unutterable sayings, which it is not lawful for a man to speak.

Worsley New Testament
I know not, God knoweth) that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unutterable words, which it is not permitted unto man to speak.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Revelation
3And I know that this man—whether in the body or out of it I do not know, but God knows— 4 was caught up to Paradise. The things he heard were too sacred for words, things that man is not permitted to tell. 5I will boast about such a man, but I will not boast about myself, except in my weaknesses.…

Cross References
Revelation 2:7
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to eat from the tree of life in the Paradise of God.

Revelation 10:4
When the seven thunders had spoken, I was about to put it in writing. But I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.”

1 Corinthians 2:9-10
Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” / But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

Isaiah 64:4
From ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him.

Isaiah 6:1-4
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple. / Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. / And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” ...

Ezekiel 1:26-28
Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne with the appearance of sapphire, and on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man. / From what seemed to be His waist up, I saw a gleam like amber, with what looked like fire within it all around. And from what seemed to be His waist down, I saw what looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded Him. / The appearance of the brilliant light all around Him was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.

Daniel 12:4
But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.”

Matthew 13:11
He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.

Matthew 17:9
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Do not tell anyone about this vision until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

John 3:12
If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?

John 16:12-13
I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it. / However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.

Acts 10:10-11
He became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. / He saw heaven open and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners.

Acts 22:17-18
Later, when I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance / and saw the Lord saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem quickly, because the people here will not accept your testimony about Me.’

1 Corinthians 13:12
Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Philippians 1:23
I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.


Treasury of Scripture

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

paradise.

Ezekiel 31:9
I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied him.

Luke 23:43
And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Revelation 2:7
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

lawful.

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Able Allowed Caught Ears Heard Human Inexpressible Lawful Paradise Permitted Possible Repeat Sayings Speak Unspeakable Unutterable Utter Words
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Able Allowed Caught Ears Heard Human Inexpressible Lawful Paradise Permitted Possible Repeat Sayings Speak Unspeakable Unutterable Utter Words
2 Corinthians 12
1. For commending of his apostleship, though he might glory of his wonderful revelations,
9. yet he rather chooses to glory of his infirmities;
11. blaming the Corinthians for forcing him to this vain boasting.
14. He promises to come to them again; but yet altogether in the affection of a father;
20. although he fears he shall to his grief find many offenders, and public disorders there.














was caught up
The phrase "was caught up" in 2 Corinthians 12:4 refers to a supernatural experience where Paul is taken to a heavenly realm. The Greek word used here is "harpazō," which means to seize or snatch away suddenly. This word is also used in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 to describe the rapture of believers. The imagery suggests a divine intervention where Paul is transported beyond the earthly realm, emphasizing the power and sovereignty of God in revealing His mysteries to His chosen servants.

into Paradise
"Paradise" is a term that evokes the image of a perfect, heavenly garden, reminiscent of the Garden of Eden. The Greek word "paradeisos" is used here, which is borrowed from a Persian word meaning a walled garden or park. In Jewish and Christian thought, Paradise is often associated with the abode of the righteous after death. This suggests that Paul was granted a glimpse of the eternal dwelling place of God, a place of ultimate peace and communion with the Divine.

and heard inexpressible things
The phrase "and heard inexpressible things" indicates that Paul was privy to divine revelations that transcend human language and understanding. The Greek word "arrētos" means unspeakable or indescribable. This highlights the limitations of human language in conveying the fullness of God's glory and wisdom. It serves as a reminder of the mystery and majesty of God's kingdom, which surpasses all earthly comprehension.

things that man is not permitted to tell
This phrase underscores the sacredness and confidentiality of the revelations Paul received. The Greek word "exesti" implies that it is not lawful or permissible for a man to speak of these things. This suggests a divine restriction placed upon Paul, emphasizing the holiness and otherness of God's revelations. It serves as a humbling reminder that some aspects of God's plan and presence are beyond human disclosure, reserved for the divine alone.

(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 up
ἡρπάγη (hērpagē)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 726: To seize, snatch, obtain by robbery. From a derivative of haireomai; to seize.

into
εἰς (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 heard
ἤκουσεν (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 sacred
ἄρρητα (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 that
(ha)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

man
ἀνθρώπῳ (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 permitted
ἐξὸν (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)
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