Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 11:14

What does 2 Corinthians 11:14 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 11:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 11:14 means

Paul says it is no surprise that deceivers wear a holy disguise, because Satan himself “fashioneth himself into an angel of light.” Evil rarely appears as evil; it mimics goodness to gain trust. This explains why the false apostles seemed impressive and persuasive. Their appeal lay not in open rebellion but in counterfeit righteousness. Discerning truth requires more than evaluating appearances or eloquence; it demands alignment with the true Jesus and the apostolic gospel. Paul urges the Corinthians to see through the costume. The standard for judgment is not how bright the light looks, but whether it is the light of Christ according to the truth they first received.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And it is no wonder; for even Satan himself is able to take the form of an angel of light.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and no wonder--for even the Adversary doth transform himself into a messenger of light;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And no wonder: for Satan himself transformeth himself into an angel of light.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And [it is] not wonderful, for Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

Context

Paul moves from naming the deceivers (v.13) to explaining their plausibility (v.14): satanic deception often looks luminous. This prepares for v.15, where he applies the same principle to Satan’s servants and warns of their end. After this theological aside on deception and judgment, Paul resumes his “foolish” boasting (vv.16–21), meeting his rivals on their chosen ground only to invert their values by boasting in sufferings and weaknesses rather than in the fleshly credentials they flaunted.

v.13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ.

v.14This passage

v.15It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Genesis 3:1

    Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden?

  • 2 Corinthians 11:3

    But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ.

  • Matthew 4:1

    Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

  • 2 Corinthians 2:11

    that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

  • Galatians 1:8

    But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema.

  • Revelation 12:9

    And the great dragon was cast down, the old serpent, he that is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him.

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