Paul’s Experience in Christ

[전승훈2]

Summary:
Paul continues the “boasting” he has been forced into, though he says it is not profitable, and turns to visions and revelations from the Lord. He describes an extraordinary experience involving “a man in Christ” who, fourteen years earlier, was caught up to the third heaven - whether in the body or out of the body, Paul says he does not know, but God knows. He repeats the account in another form, saying this man was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words that a person is not permitted to speak.

On behalf of such a person, Paul says, he will boast; but on his own behalf he will not boast, except regarding his weaknesses. Even if he chose to boast, he would not be a fool, because he would be telling the truth—but he refuses, so that no one will think more of him than what they actually see in his life or hear from his message.
 
Teaching
In this passage, “Paradise” and “heaven” refer to the same place. Paradise is the place above where the righteous go after death. The New Jerusalem is also the eternal world where God’s throne is. In Paradise there is the tree of life (as described in Revelation), and in the New Jerusalem there is also the tree of life. Therefore, the two are the same.

Even if we work hard and do many things in the church, let us not boast. If we do give a testimony, we should do it only when necessary - like Paul - and testify entirely to the grace God has given.
The church is the body of Christ, and Christ is the head. Therefore, our boasting must be only in Christ. Paul says he is “in Christ” - this is Paul’s identity.

Excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Lee, Feb 2, 2026
2 Corinthians 12:1-6