Thanks for sharing this piece. I think Paul is reluctantly using competitive comparing to appeal to the level of the Corinthian Jesus community's maturity to validate his apostolic credibility. The "third heaven" I'm not sure about, perhaps there is a Jewish take on this. Or perhaps it is a standard reference to the domain of God...perhaps also referencing ecstasies a mystic experiences, it seems Paul had these capacities of the spirit.
Thanks for sharing this piece. I think Paul is reluctantly using competitive comparing to appeal to the level of the Corinthian Jesus community's maturity to validate his apostolic credibility. The "third heaven" I'm not sure about, perhaps there is a Jewish take on this. Or perhaps it is a standard reference to the domain of God...perhaps also referencing ecstasies a mystic experiences, it seems Paul had these capacities of the spirit.