2 Corinthians 11:15
What does 2 Corinthians 11:15 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 11:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 11:15 means
If Satan masquerades as light, his servants can easily masquerade as ministers of righteousness. Their apparent piety does not change their nature or destiny: “their end shall be according to their works.” God will judge them justly. This sobering truth warns the church not to be naïve and assures the faithful that deception will not have the last word. Outward forms of righteousness must be tested by the gospel’s truth and the fruit of genuine holiness. Paul’s opponents may shine for a moment, but the final verdict belongs to God, who sees through appearances and repays according to deeds.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So it is no great thing if his servants make themselves seem to be servants of righteousness; whose end will be the reward of their works.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862no great thing, then, if also his ministrants do transform themselves as ministrants of righteousness--whose end shall be according to their works.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers be transformed as the ministers of justice, whose end shall be according to their works.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also transform themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Context
Completing the triad (vv.13–15), Paul gives the outcome for counterfeit ministers: just judgment. This closes the exposure section and allows him to pivot back to his reluctant boasting (vv.16–21). He invites the Corinthians to indulge him briefly, since they have endured far worse—boastful, abusive teachers (vv.19–20). Then he will set out his credentials (vv.22–29), not of status but of suffering, climaxing with his determination to boast in weakness (v.30) and a final solemn affirmation and example (vv.31–33).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 28:15
Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah: Jehovah hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.
- Revelation 20:7
And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
- Acts 13:10
and said, O full of all guile and all villany, thou son of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
- Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
- Revelation 9:11
They have over them as king the angel of the abyss: his name in Hebrew is Abaddon, and in the Greek tongue he hath the name Apollyon.
- Revelation 13:14
And he deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by reason of the signs which it was given him to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who hath the stroke of the sword and lived.
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