Objection:
Paul makes it clear that he could be “out of the body.” This proves that the real man is an immaterial soul or spirit independent of the body (See 2 Cor. 12:2-3).
Answer:
The passage, in its context, reads thus: “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” 2 Corinthians 12:1-4.
The first fact that we wish to clarify is this: According to the believers in the immortal soul doctrine, the soul’s departure from the body takes place at the instant of death, that indeed such a departure must result in death to the body. Indeed, two of their proof texts are supposed to support this very contention that death marks the release of the soul: “And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died).” Genesis 35:18. “And the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.” 1 Kings 17:22. (We will look at these texts specifically in the future)
Hence, following such reasoning, if Paul was “out of the body,” he died! But is any believer in soul immortality willing to admit that Paul is saying that he does not know whether or not he died at a specific time “above fourteen years ago”? And, of course, if he died, then he must have been afterward raised, or rather his body must have been raised, when he returned from “the third heaven.” Here, indeed, would be something most remarkable for Paul to write about, but he does not allude anywhere in his writings to his having died and been resurrected.
Obviously, there must be something wrong with interpreting Paul’s words that would produce so startling a conclusion.
But we are not required to follow any such reasoning. Paul is speaking of “visions and revelations.” What he saw and heard was so real and vivid that he was not certain but that God might have transported him to heaven for the brief period of the revelation. And yet, he would not affirm it as a fact. Obviously, the other alternative was that he had seen a vision and heard in that vision the revelation which was “not lawful” for him to repeat. But if he was not literally taken to heaven in body, he seemed to be there nevertheless, and naturally, he might describe that state as being “out of the body.” Indeed, how better could one express the thought of being in a far-off place without literally going there?
In writing to the Colossian church, Paul uses this very same kind of language: “For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.” Colossians 2:5.
We have no trouble understanding these words of Paul. No one finds in them any proof of an immortal, airy entity called a soul. We may write to a friend with whom it will not be possible for us to be on a certain important occasion: “I’ll be with you in spirit.” But none of us, including the objector, believes that when we speak thus, we mean that an immortal entity within us will flit away to be with the friend at that time. Then why should anyone think that Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:2-3 is teaching the doctrine of disembodied spirits?
