2 Corinthians 11 2

2 Corinthians 11:2 kjv

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.

2 Corinthians 11:2 nkjv

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

2 Corinthians 11:2 niv

I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.

2 Corinthians 11:2 esv

For I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:2 nlt

For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband ? Christ.

2 Corinthians 11 verses

2 Corinthians 11 2 Meaning

The Apostle Paul expresses profound and divinely sourced protectiveness over the Corinthian believers, comparing his zealous concern to the intense desire of God for His people. He views himself as the spiritual intermediary who solemnly presented them, through his evangelistic work, into a sacred betrothal with Christ, their exclusive "one husband." Paul's ultimate aspiration for them is to preserve their spiritual purity and undivided devotion, enabling him to present them to Christ on the final day as an unblemished, "pure virgin"—undefiled by false teachings, spiritual idolatry, or moral compromise. This foundational commitment to Christ forms the basis for his urgent warning against anything that might jeopardize their fidelity.

2 Corinthians 11 2 Context

This verse sits within Paul's fervent defense of his apostolic ministry against false apostles, whom he ironically calls "super-apostles" (2 Cor 11:5, 12:11), who were subtly leading the Corinthians away from the true Gospel, a different Jesus, and another spirit (2 Cor 11:4). Paul feels compelled to boast—a foolish act in his own estimation (2 Cor 11:1, 16-33)—not about himself, but about his true service and suffering, contrasting it with the deceptive practices of his rivals. Verse 2 reveals the profound motivation for this uncomfortable self-defense: his deep spiritual love and concern for the Corinthian church. His "godly jealousy" and imagery of betrothal serve to emphasize the exclusive, pure, and serious commitment the believers have made to Christ. Any deviation caused by false teaching or worldly entanglements is seen as a betrayal of this spiritual marriage covenant, an act of spiritual harlotry akin to Israel's unfaithfulness to God in the Old Testament. In ancient Greco-Roman and Jewish cultures, betrothal was a legally binding contract, far stronger than modern engagement, and "pure virgin" carried paramount importance for family honor and the marital union.

2 Corinthians 11 2 Word analysis

• For (γάρ, gar): This explanatory conjunction introduces the reason for Paul's preceding declaration (in 2 Cor 11:1) that he had been "foolish" in boasting. It justifies his emotional outpouring.
• I am jealous (ζηλῶ, zēlō): Derived from zelos, denoting an intense emotion, zeal, or fervent rivalry. Here, it signifies a fervent, protective, and exclusive love, distinguishing it from base envy.
• for you (ὑμᾶς, hymas): Directly identifies the Corinthian believers as the objects of Paul's intense, protective affection.
• with a godly (θεοῦ, theou) jealousy (ζήλῳ, zēlō): Theou (genitive case of God) characterizes the zelos as divinely originated and righteous, not a human, sinful jealousy. Paul's passion mirrors God's own zealous love for His people, which tolerates no rivals.
• For (γάρ, gar): Again, an explanatory conjunction, now providing the specific reason for Paul's godly jealousy—their spiritual betrothal.
• I have betrothed (ἥρμοσα, hērmosa): Aorist active indicative of harmozo, meaning "to fit together, to join, to betroth." Paul acted as the spiritual matchmaker, formally arranging their union with Christ through the gospel. This highlights his foundational role.
• you (ὑμῖν, hymin): Dative case, specifying the beneficiaries of this betrothal—the Corinthian Christians.
• to one husband (ἑνὶ ἀνδρί, heni andri): Heni (one) stresses exclusivity; andri (man/husband) explicitly identifies Christ. This warns against dividing their loyalty or entering into spiritual "polygamy" with false teachers or idols.
• to present (παραστῆσαι, parasthēsai): Aorist active infinitive of paristēmi, "to stand beside, to present." It evokes the formal public ceremony of handing over a bride to her husband at the wedding, underscoring Paul's eschatological goal.
• as a pure (ἁγνὴν, hagnēn) virgin (παρθένον, parthenon): Parthenon means a literal virgin, implying purity, integrity, and untouched status. Hagnēn explicitly means pure, chaste, undefiled. Together, they represent the absolute spiritual fidelity and unblemished moral and doctrinal integrity expected of Christ's church.
• to Christ (τῷ Χριστῷ, tō Christō): Dative case, confirming Jesus Christ as the ultimate object of this spiritual marriage and the Bridegroom to whom the church is promised.

• "I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy": This phrase underlines Paul's intense, divine-inspired concern, a protective passion that seeks the spiritual faithfulness and purity of the believers, mirroring God's own zealous love and unwillingness to tolerate spiritual unfaithfulness. It contrasts sharply with self-serving human envy.
• "I have betrothed you to one husband": This highlights Paul's apostolic authority and foundational role in establishing their relationship with Christ. The imagery of betrothal signifies a solemn, legally binding, and exclusive spiritual covenant, marking the church's unique and undivided allegiance to Christ.
• "to present you as a pure virgin to Christ": This reveals Paul's ultimate goal and the spiritual standard. "Pure virgin" symbolizes the Church's desired state of complete fidelity—undefiled by false doctrines, immorality, or worldly entanglements—when she is finally united with her divine Groom. The singleness of the husband reinforces this exclusivity and commitment to purity.

2 Corinthians 11 2 Bonus section

• The Apostolic Matchmaker: Paul casts himself in the role of a trusted marriage broker or a father figure giving away his daughter, highlighting his integral part in the spiritual initiation of the Corinthians into the body of Christ and their subsequent union with Him.
• Significance of "Virginity": In ancient cultures, the purity and virginity of a bride were of immense cultural and social value, representing the honor and integrity of both her family and her future husband. This societal value translates spiritually, emphasizing the absolute importance of the church's undefiled status before Christ.
• Old Testament Covenant Echoes: The language of marriage and spiritual adultery is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where Israel was often portrayed as Yahweh's unfaithful bride (e.g., Ezekiel 16, Hosea 2). Paul leverages this familiar theological concept to stress the gravity of spiritual disloyalty within the New Covenant church.

2 Corinthians 11 2 Commentary

Paul's heartfelt declaration in 2 Corinthians 11:2 acts as a profound window into his pastoral care and the sanctity of the believer's relationship with Christ. His "godly jealousy" isn't driven by selfish possessiveness, but by a divine fervor for the spiritual integrity of the Corinthian church, reflecting God's own attribute (Exod 34:14). He portrays himself as the trusted steward who meticulously arranged their spiritual betrothal to "one husband"—Christ—emphasizing the exclusivity and unbreakable nature of this bond. This imagery underscores the solemnity of conversion: it is a covenantal agreement, not a casual affiliation. Paul's ultimate objective, central to his apostolic ministry, is to ensure their fidelity remains undefiled. He envisions the believers being presented at the coming of Christ as a "pure virgin"—spotless and chaste, uncontaminated by false teachings (as the following verse suggests) or moral impurity. Any spiritual infidelity is thus a profound breach of this holy union. This verse is a powerful call for believers to maintain an undivided and undefiled devotion to Christ.