John Calvin Commentary 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 12:4 (ASV)

In paradise. As every region that is especially agreeable and delightful is called in the Scriptures the garden of God, from this it became customary among the Greeks to use the term paradise to denote heavenly glory, even before Christ’s advent, as appears from Ecclesiasticus (Sirach 40:17, 27). It is also used in this sense in Luke 23:43, in Christ’s answer to the robber: To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise, that is, “You shall enjoy the presence of God, in the condition and life of the blessed.”

Heard unspeakable words. By words here I do not understand things, as the term is usually used in the Hebrew manner, for the word heard would not correspond with this. Now if anyone inquires what they were, the answer is easy: it is not without good reason that they are called unspeakable words, and such as it is unlawful to utter.

Someone, however, will reply that what Paul heard was, consequently, needless and useless. For what purpose did it serve to hear what was to be buried in perpetual silence? I answer that this took place for Paul’s own sake. One who had such arduous difficulties awaiting him—enough to break a thousand hearts—required strengthening by special means, so that he might not give way but might persevere undaunted.

Let us consider for a moment how many adversaries his doctrine had, and of what sort they were. Furthermore, with what a variety of artifices it was assailed, and then we will no longer wonder why he heard more than it was lawful for him to utter.

From this, too, we may gather a most useful admonition about setting bounds to knowledge. We are naturally prone to curiosity. Hence, neglecting altogether, or tasting only slightly and carelessly, doctrine that tends to edification, we are hurried into frivolous questions. Then, boldness and rashness follow from this, so that we do not hesitate to decide on matters unknown and concealed.

From these two sources has sprung a great part of scholastic theology, and everything that trifler Dionysius has been so daring as to contrive concerning the Heavenly Hierarchies.

It is therefore all the more fitting for us to keep within bounds, so that we do not seek to know anything except what the Lord has seen fit to reveal to his Church. Let this be the limit of our knowledge.