John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 3. And I knew such a man , etc..] The same man, namely himself, is here designed, and the same rapture spoken of, and the condition he was in expressed in the same words: which repetition is made for the more strong affirmation of what he delivered, and to signify the marvellousness of this vision, and how surprising and unaccountable it was.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - There can be no doubt the apostle speaks of himself. Whether heavenl things were brought down to him, while his body was in a trance, as in the case of ancient prophets; or whether his soul was dislodged from the body for a time, and taken up into heaven, or whether he was take up, body and soul together, he knew not. We are not capable, nor is it fit we should yet know, the particulars of that glorious place an state. He did not attempt to publish to the world what he had hear there, but he set forth the doctrine of Christ. On that foundation the church is built, and on that we must build our faith and hope. An while this teaches us to enlarge our expectations of the glory tha shall be revealed, it should render us contented with the usual method of learning the truth and will of God.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ οιδα 1492 5758 V-RAI-1S τον 3588 T-ASM τοιουτον 5108 D-ASM ανθρωπον 444 N-ASM ειτε 1535 CONJ εν 1722 PREP σωματι 4983 N-DSN ειτε 1535 CONJ εκτος 1622 ADV του 3588 T-GSN σωματος 4983 N-GSN ουκ 3756 PRT-N οιδα 1492 5758 V-RAI-1S ο 3588 T-NSM θεος 2316 N-NSM οιδεν 1492 5758 V-RAI-3S
Robertson's NT Word Studies
12:3 {I do not know} (ouk oida). Paul declines to pass on his precise condition in this trance. We had best leave it as he has told it.
