Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 11:2

What does 2 Corinthians 11:2 mean?

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

What 2 Corinthians 11:2 means

Paul’s jealousy is not selfish but “godly.” He pictures himself as the friend who arranged a betrothal: he introduced the Corinthians to Christ, their one true husband, and now longs to present them to Him as a pure, faithful bride. Their single-hearted devotion to Christ is his concern. He fears that infidelity—whether doctrinal or moral—would defile them. This bridal image shows the deep covenant bond between Christ and His church and the responsibility of ministers to guard that purity. Paul’s pastoral heart is protective, not possessive; he seeks their holiness and their unwavering attachment to Christ, who alone is worthy of their ultimate loyalty and love.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For I have a very great care for you: because you have been married by me to one husband, and it is my desire to give you completely holy to Christ.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for I am zealous for you with zeal of God, for I did betroth you to one husband, a pure virgin, to present to Christ,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God. For I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For I am jealous as to you with a jealousy [which is] ofGod; for I have espoused you unto one man, to present [you] a chaste virgin to Christ.

Context

Having asked them to bear with his unusual tone (v.1), Paul now discloses the motive driving it: covenant fidelity to Christ. This marriage imagery frames the entire defense that follows. It explains why he reacts strongly to false teaching—because it threatens the church’s purity. Immediately next (v.3), he will warn that deception can corrupt minds away from “simplicity and purity” toward Christ, preparing the ground for his critique of teachers who preach a different Jesus, spirit, or gospel (v.4).

v.1Would that ye could bear with me in a little foolishness: but indeed ye do bear with me.

v.2This passage

v.3But 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.

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 24:58

    And they called Rebekah, and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.

  • Leviticus 21:13

    And he shall take a wife in her virginity.

  • Ezekiel 44:22

    Neither shall they take for their wives a widow, nor her that is put away; but they shall take virgins of the seed of the house of Israel, or a widow that is the widow of a priest.

  • Colossians 1:28

    whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ;

  • Genesis 24:2

    And Abraham said unto his servant, the elder of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh:

  • John 3:29

    He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, that standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is made full.

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