2 Corinthians 11:4
What does 2 Corinthians 11:4 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 11:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 11:4 means
Paul rebukes the Corinthians’ readiness to put up with those who preach “another Jesus,” offer a “different spirit,” or proclaim a “different gospel.” He uses irony: they endure falsehoods they should reject. The authentic gospel is centered on the true Jesus and the Holy Spirit they already received. Any teaching that distorts Christ’s person or work, or that promises a spiritual experience disconnected from the apostolic message, is not merely an alternative view; it is a threat to their salvation’s core. Paul exposes their misplaced tolerance and calls them back to the original message they embraced—a message sufficient, life-giving, and not to be traded for novel deceptions.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For if anyone comes preaching another Jesus from the one whose preachers we are, or if you have got a different spirit, or a different sort of good news from those which came to you, how well you put up with these things.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for if, indeed, he who is coming doth preach another Jesus whom we did not preach, or another Spirit ye receive which ye did not receive, or other good news which ye did not accept--well were ye bearing <FI>it<Fi> ,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For if he that cometh preacheth another Christ, whom we have not preached; or if you receive another Spirit, whom you have not received; or another gospel, which you have not received: you might well bear with him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For if indeed he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or ye get a different Spirit, which ye have not got, or a different glad tidings, which ye have not received, ye might well bear with [it].
Context
This verse specifies the nature of the serpent-like deception mentioned in v.3: counterfeit versions of Jesus, the Spirit, and the gospel. The Corinthians’ openness, once a virtue, has become naïveté. Paul will shortly assert that he is not inferior to the leading apostles (v.5) and, though not polished in rhetoric, he is sound in knowledge (v.6). He then turns to a concrete issue the false teachers exploited—his refusal to accept payment in Corinth (vv.7–9), which they twisted to question his legitimacy.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 4:4
There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;
- Galatians 1:6
I marvel that ye are so quickly removing from him that called you in the grace of Christ unto a different gospel;
- Acts 4:12
And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved.
- 1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, one mediator also between God and men, himself man, Christ Jesus,
- Romans 8:15
For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
- Galatians 3:2
This only would I learn from you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
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