2 Corinthians 12:4

Into Paradise (ei paradeison). See on "Lu 23:43" for this interesting word. Paul apparently uses paradise as the equivalent of the third heaven in verse Matthew 2 . Some Jews (Book of the Secrets of Enoch, chapter viii) make Paradise in the third heaven. The rabbis had various ideas (two heavens, three, seven). We need not commit Paul to any "celestial gradation" (Vincent). Unspeakable words (arrhta rhmata). Old verbal adjective (a privative, rhto from rew), only here in N.T. Not lawful (ouk exon). Copula estin omitted. Hence Paul does not give these words.