2 Corinthians 11:1-4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:1-4

Here we may observe, 1. The apology the apostle makes for going about to commend himself. He is loth to enter upon this subject of self-commendation: Would to God you could bear with me a little in my folly, 2 Cor. 11:1. He calls this folly, because too often it is really no better. In his case it was necessary; yet, seeing others might apprehend it to be folly in him, he desires them to bear with it. Note, As much against the grain as it is with a proud man to acknowledge his infirmities, so... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:1-6

11:1-6 Would that you would bear with me in a little foolishness--but I know that you do bear with me. I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God, for I betrothed you to one husband, I wished to present a pure maiden to Christ. But I am afraid, that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your thoughts may be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity which look to Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, a Jesus whom we did not preach, if you take a different spirit,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:1

Would to God you could bear with me a little ,.... The false apostles boasted so much of their gifts, abilities, and usefulness, that the apostle found himself under a necessity of saying some things in his own defence, for the honour of God, and the good of this church; which otherwise his modesty would not have permitted him, and which he saw would be accounted and censured as folly in him by others; and therefore he entreats their patience a little while, and that they would suffer him to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:2

For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy ,.... He lets them know it was not so much on his own account, or at all with any selfish views, or for any secular interest of his own, that he was so concerned, but it was "a godly jealousy", or a "zeal of God"; which he was inspired with by God, and which was for the honour and glory of God, even Jesus Christ, who is God overall; and for their real good and spiritual welfare, as a church of Christ, that possessed him, which put him upon saying... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:3

But I fear lest by any means ,.... Jealousy is always attended with fear, care, and solicitude, whether in things natural or spiritual. The apostle, as things were in this church, could not but express his fears, lest as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety ; that is, the old serpent the devil, who made use of a serpent, the most subtle creature of all the beasts of the field, and seduced Eve from her obedience to God, to transgress his command, by eating the forbidden fruit.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:4

For if he that cometh ,.... Meaning either some particular man, the apostle might have had some information of, who came from Judea to Corinth, under the character of a true apostle; or anyone of the false apostles whatever, who came of their own accord, and was never sent by Christ, or by any of his churches: preacheth another Jesus whom we have not preached ; that is, if he proposes and recommends in his ministry, a better Saviour and Redeemer than had been preached by the apostles;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:1

Would to God ye could bear with me - Οφελον ηνειχεσθε μου μικρον . As the word God is not mentioned here, it would have been much better to have translated the passage literally thus: I wish ye could bear a little with me. The too frequent use of this sacred name produces a familiarity with it that is not at all conducive to reverence and godly fear. In my folly - In my seeming folly; for, being obliged to vindicate his ministry, it was necessary that he should speak much of himself,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:2

I am jealous over you, etc. - The apostle evidently alludes either to the שושבינים shoshabinim or paranymphs among the Hebrews, whose office is largely explained in the notes on John 3:29 , and the observations at the end of that chapter (see note at John 3:36 ;); or to the harmosyni , a sort of magistrates among the Lacedemonians who had the care of virgins, and whose business it was to see them well educated, kept pure, and properly prepared for married life. That I may... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:3

As the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty - This is a strong reflection on the false apostle and his teaching: he was subtle, πανουργος and by his subtlety ( πανουργια , from παν , all, and εργον , work; his versatility of character and conduct, his capability of doing all work, and accommodating himself to the caprices, prejudices, and evil propensities of those to whom he ministered) he was enabled to corrupt the minds of the people from the simplicity of the Gospel of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:4

For if he that cometh - The false apostle, who came after St. Paul had left Corinth. Preacheth another Jesus - Who can save more fully and more powerfully than that Jesus whom I have preached. Or if ye receive another spirit - And if in consequence of believing in this new saviour ye receive another spirit, the gifts, graces, and consolations of which are greater than those which ye have received from the Holy Ghost, which has been given to you on your believing on the Christ whom we... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:1-4

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:1-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 11:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 11:4

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