2 Corinthians 11:2

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.

Godly jealousy ... "This means a jealousy like that of God, not a mean, blind or unworthy passion, but a justified concern for the honor and purity of the church at Corinth."[6]

Espoused you to one husband ... "The word `espoused' is used of the act of a father who gives his daughter in marriage."[7] Broomall noted that "The espousal took place at conversion; the `presentation' will be consummated at the Second Coming";[8] however, Kelcy was correct in not limiting the "presentation" to the Second Coming. "It includes the thought of himself as presenting them to Christ as a `pure virgin' all along during his ministry."[9]; Romans 12:1f confirms Kelcy's view of this.

"Paul was very far from despising marriage, since he made it a symbol"[10] of the final union of the church with her Lord.

As a pure virgin to Christ ... This whole verse means that Paul was just as jealously concerned for the purity of the church as a father would be for the purity of a daughter betrothed to a kingly bridegroom.

[6] Floyd V. Filson, The Interpreter's Bible (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1953), Vol. X, p. 392.

[7] E. H. Plumptre, Ellicott's Commentary (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1959), Vol. VII, p. 401.

[8] Wick Broomall, Wycliffe Bible Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1971), p. 682.

[9] Raymond C. Kelcy, Second Corinthians (Austin, Texas: R. B. Sweet Company, 1967), p. 62.

[10] E. H. Plumptre, op. cit., p. 401.