2 Corinthians 12:4 (ASV)

Passage

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

Nearby Context

2 Corinthians 12:2 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.

2 Corinthians 12:3 And I know such a man (whether in the body, or apart from the body, I know not; God knoweth),

2 Corinthians 12:4 how that he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

2 Corinthians 12:5 On behalf of such a one will I glory: but on mine own behalf I will not glory, save in [my] weaknesses.

2 Corinthians 12:6 For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish; for I shall speak the truth: but I forbear, lest any man should account of me above that which he seeth me [to be], or heareth from me.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "caught", "paradise", "heard", "unspeakable", "words", "lawful", and "utter". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "caught" and "paradise", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 3's "And I know such a man whether..." into verse 5's "On behalf of such a one will...", so "caught" and "paradise" belong inside that flow. In 2 Corinthians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "caught" and "paradise" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.