Paul said he received the vision of heaven fourteen years before writing the second letter to the Corinthians. Most commentators date this second letter around 57 AD. That would mean the vision occurred around 43 AD.
| 57 AD | Paul in Macedonia and Greece | Acts 20 |
| 57 AD | Paul Writes to the Romans | Romans 1 – 16 |
| 57 AD | Paul Writes again to the Corinthians | 2 Corinthians 1 – 13 |
It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. For I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don’t know, or whether out of the body, I don’t know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven. I know such a man (whether in the body, or outside of the body, I don’t know; God knows), how he was caught up into Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except in my weaknesses. For if I would desire to boast, I will not be foolish; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, so that no man may think more of me than that which he sees in me, or hears from me. –2 Corinthians 12:1-6 WEB (biblehub.com)
What did Paul hear? In his description, Paul used two oxymorons: “unspeakable words” and “not possible for man to speak.” It must have been amazing. But it’s useless for us to speculate on what it was. And it’s interesting that Paul didn’t even mention anything he saw. All we know is the revelation was so wonderful that God gave him a thorn in the flesh to keep him from becoming proud and conceited by the vision.
that he was caught away to the paradise, and heard unutterable sayings, that it is not possible for man to speak. –2 Corinthians 12:4 (Young’s Literal Translation)
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. –2 Corinthians 12:7 (KJV)
Did Paul receive the vision when he was stoned and left for dead at Lystra in Acts 14?
Some commentators believe Paul received the vision when he was stoned and left for dead at Lystra in Acts 14, but a careful study of the chronology of the New Testament reveals this was only nine years before the time he wrote the second letter to the Corinthians.
| 48 AD | Paul’s First Missionary Journey | Acts 13 |
| 48 AD | Paul preaches in Pisidian Antioch | Acts 13:14 |
| 48 AD | Paul and Barnabas in Iconium | Acts 14 |
| 48 AD | Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe | Acts 14:8 |
| 48 AD | Paul and Barnabas Return to Syrian Antioch | Acts 14:21 |
| 48 AD | Return to Syrian Antioch | Acts 14:24 |
| 48 AD | The Council at Jerusalem | Acts 15 |
But some Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there, and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But as the disciples stood around him, he rose up, and entered into the city. On the next day he went out with Barnabas to Derbe. –Acts 14:19-20 WEB (biblehub.com)
Was Paul stoned to death and resurrected at Lystra?
As an aside, I used to believe Paul was stoned to death and miraculously resurrected at Lystra based on his recollections of suffering.
Five times from the Jews I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I suffered shipwreck. I have been a night and a day in the deep. I have been in travels often, perils of rivers, perils of robbers, perils from my countrymen, perils from the Gentiles, perils in the city, perils in the wilderness, perils in the sea, perils among false brothers; in labor and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in cold and nakedness. –2 Corinthians 11:24-27 WEB (biblehub.com)
However, most commentators believe Paul spent a night and a day adrift in the open sea. But I think drawing that conclusion from the use of 1037: buthos is weak. It is akin to 899: bathos, which is derived from 901: bathus, which means deep (literally and metaphorically); in the depths of the early morning, while still very early; profound.
Furthermore, neither Paul nor Luke (a trained medical doctor) gives any hint that he actually died or that he was resurrected from the dead. And given that he described his suffering in terms of union with Jesus Christ, it is very odd that he would not have made this obvious.
From now on, let no one cause me any trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus branded on my body. –Galatians 6:17 (Word English Bible)
- if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together –Romans 8:17
- We share in the sufferings of Christ –2 Corinthians 1:5
- For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; –Philippians 1:29
- to know him, and the power of his rising again, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, –Philippians 3:10
- all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution –2 Timothy 3:12
- because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example –1 Peter 2:21
- Forasmuch then as Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin; –1 Peter 4:1
Therefore, let’s believe what is written. He was stoned and left for dead. That is dramatic enough. We don’t need to embellish the account to fit any other narrative.
Paul probably received the vision at Antioch as recorded in Acts 11
According to chronological studies of the New Testament, the events of Acts 11 in Syrian Antioch occured about 14 years before the time when Paul wrote the second letter to the Corinthians. It was an exciting time for the church. The Apostle Paul had been converted from Christian killer to Christian missionary. Cornelius had just been saved by Peter’s preaching as directed by the Holy Spirit. This is where they were first called Christians. It was probably during this time that Paul received his vision.
| 42 AD | Barnabas Sent to Syrian Antioch | Acts 11:22 |
| 42 AD | Peter Led from Prison by the Angel | Acts 12 |
| 44 AD | Herod Agrippa Dies | Acts 12:20 |
They therefore who were scattered abroad by the oppression that arose about Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews only. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch, who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord. For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord. Barnabas went out to Tarsus to look for Saul. When he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. It happened, that for a whole year they were gathered together with the assembly, and taught many people. The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. –Acts 11:19-26 WEB (biblehub.com)
Chronologies are from https://biblehub.com/timeline/
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