How would you explain 2 Corinthians 12 : 2 about the 3rd heavens?

The context does not suggest that “the third heaven” refers to the atmosphere around our globe, nor to outer space or to any parallel universes, as postulated by astrophysicists.

The Bible often uses the number three to represent emphasis, intensity, or added strength. Ecclesiastes 4:12; Isaiah 6:3

Thus, what Paul saw in vision was elevated or exalted. It was spiritual.

Since there is no mention in the Scriptures of any other person having had such an experience, it seems likely that this was the apostle’s own experience.

Whereas some have endeavored to relate Paul’s reference to the third heaven to the early rabbinic view that there were stages of heaven, even a total of “seven heavens,” this view finds no support in the Scriptures.

the heavens are not referred to specifically as if divided into platforms or stages, but, rather, the context must be relied upon to determine whether reference is to the heavens within earth’s atmospheric expanse, the heavens of outer space, the spiritual heavens, or something else.

It therefore appears that the reference to “the third heaven” indicates the superlative degree of the rapture in which this vision was seen.

The third heaven is a Jewish expression for that heaven which was beyond the air, and beyond the sun and stars; the secret place of the Almighty.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-6

1-6 There can be no doubt the apostle speaks of himself. Whether heavenly 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 taken 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 and state. He did not attempt to publish to the world what he had heard 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. And while this teaches us to enlarge our expectations of the glory that shall be revealed, it should render us contented with the usual methods of learning the truth and will of God.

The heavens of earth where birds and planes fly. The heavens above our atmosphere, where the stars and planets are. The heaven above all heavens, the residing place of God.

Paul's letters are not Gospel. Paul was never a disciple or an apostle of Jesus Christ and all 3 different versions of his Damascus RD. story are fake. He wrongly thought an Apostle was greater than a Prophet which is why he chose to call himself an apostle.

It is the boasting of the wolf-in-sheep's-clothing. It has nothing to do with truth.

It is self-explanatory.

What is there to explain?

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Heaven is going to be great. It will be beyond our wildest dreams.

Just ask someone who has been there.

Paul starts out his narrative by saying "I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven." Out of humility he starts out writing in the third person, but then we learn it was him. He was taken up into the third heaven, and saw things he was not allowed to utter. He saw the secrets of heaven, and how great it is, and he was completely BLOWN AWAY.

In fact, he was so elated, he was unable to wipe the smile off his face. He was just giddy about heaven.

Well, when people walk around with a constant GRIN on their faces, they just look stupid. So God allowed a "thorn in the flesh" to bother him, so he would stop grinning. We do not know what this "thorn in the flesh" was, but he prayed three times for God to remove it, and God said NO.

Just based on the idea that whatever Paul saw in heaven caused him to be so elated, we have to conclude heaven is going to be FANTASTIC.

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"I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into Paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. Though if I wish to boast, I shall not be a fool, for I shall be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12)

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I would explain it like this:

"It is made up garbage designed to enslave and subjigate the weak willed and feeble minded. People who refuse to take responsibility for their own lives and need fairy tales to tell them what to do. It has no relevance to the modern world."

That is the same way I would explain any religious nonsense from any religion. Any at all. All religions are the same nonsense. All of them.