Devine Scripture

2 Corinthians 11:3

What does 2 Corinthians 11:3 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 11:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 11:3 means

Paul fears the Corinthians’ minds may be seduced, as Eve was by the serpent’s craftiness. His concern is not merely for outward behavior but for the inner life—their thoughts and loyalties. The danger is drifting from the simple, sincere, and pure devotion that focuses on Christ. Deception often starts subtly, offering wisdom or spirituality apart from Christ and leading to confusion and compromise. By recalling Eden, Paul highlights the ancient, cunning nature of this threat. He urges vigilance: the path of life is found in Christ alone, and any teaching that complicates or eclipses Him endangers the heart of the faith the Corinthians received.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But I have a fear, that in some way, as Eve was tricked by the deceit of the snake, your minds may be turned away from their simple and holy love for Christ.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and I fear, lest, as the serpent did beguile Eve in his subtilty, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that <FI>is<Fi> in the Christ;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But I fear lest, as the serpent seduced Eve by his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted and fall from the simplicity that is in Christ.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But I fear lest by any means, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craft, [so] your thoughts should be corrupted from simplicity as to the Christ.

Context

Paul advances from motive (v.2) to warning (v.3). The Eden reference underscores the gravity of the situation: deception is as old as the garden and as crafty as the serpent. This sets up his next charge (v.4), that the Corinthians have been too tolerant toward those bringing another Jesus, spirit, or gospel. He is preparing to contrast that tolerance with his own ministry, insisting he is not inferior to the foremost apostles (v.5) and that his knowledge and conduct have been transparent (v.6).

v.2For 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.

v.3This passage

v.4For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with him.

Cross references

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

  • Romans 16:18

    For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.

  • 2 Timothy 4:3

    For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;

  • Colossians 2:4

    This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:2

    but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

  • 1 Timothy 1:3

    As I exhorted thee to tarry at Ephesus, when I was going into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine,

  • 2 Corinthians 11:29

    Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is caused to stumble, and I burn not?

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