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 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 11:3 | ...corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. | Caution against deception |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | ...perfectly joined together in the same mind... | Unity in Christ |
| Rom 12:1 | ...present your bodies a living sacrifice... | Living sacrifice unto God |
| Gal 1:4 | ...Christ Jesus our Lord, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world... | Christ's redemptive work |
| Eph 5:25-27 | Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. | Christ's love and purification of the church |
| Rev 21:2 | And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. | The Church as the Bride of Christ |
| John 17:17 | Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. | Sanctification through the Word |
| 1 Thess 2:4 | ...God, who approved us, putting us in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. | Trustworthiness of the Apostle |
| Col 1:28 | Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: | Presenting believers perfect |
| Heb 12:14 | Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: | Pursuit of holiness |
| Jude 1:3 | ...contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. | Contending for the faith |
| Acts 20:30 | Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. | Warning against false teachers |
| John 6:38 | For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. | Obedience to God's will |
| Phil 2:12 | Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; | Working out salvation |
| 1 Tim 2:15 | Notwithstanding she shall be preserved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety. | Preservation in childbearing |
| Eph 6:11 | Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. | Spiritual warfare |
| 1 Peter 5:8 | Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: | Vigilance against the devil |
| Rev 7:14 | And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. | Washing in the blood of the Lamb |
| John 15:18-19 | If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. | Belonging to Christ, not the world |
2 Corinthians 11 verses
2 Corinthians 11 2 Meaning
This verse expresses the Apostle Paul's intense desire and deep concern for the believers in Corinth, akin to a father's or husband's protective affection and watchfulness. He presents them as a pure virgin betrothed to Christ, whom he diligently safeguards from corruption and deception.
2 Corinthians 11 2 Context
Second Corinthians chapter 11 finds Paul defending his apostolic authority against false apostles who were undermining his ministry and distorting the Gospel message in Corinth. He uses a series of analogies and personal reflections to highlight the sincerity and sacrificial nature of his apostleship, contrasting it with the deceptive tactics of his opponents. This specific verse is a powerful statement of his genuine spiritual concern and dedication to the purity of the Corinthian church, comparing his ministry to the protective watchfulness of a father or husband. The surrounding verses continue this theme, detailing the dangers posed by deceitful workers who masquerful masquerade as apostles of Christ, leading Paul to express his ardent desire to present the Corinthian church, untainted, as a chaste virgin to Christ.
2 Corinthians 11 2 Word Analysis
- ζηλω (zēlō): This verb means to "be zealous," "envy," or "yearn for." In this context, it expresses an intense, fervent desire and passionate care. It’s a zeal rooted in love and concern, not jealousy.
- ὑμᾶς (hymās): "you" (plural). This refers to the collective body of believers in Corinth.
- τῷ (tō): The dative singular masculine definite article, "the." Used with "θεῷ" (theō).
- θεῷ (theō): "God." Refers to God the Father, to whom the church is ultimately espoused through Christ.
- ἁγνῇ (hagnēi): Adjective meaning "pure," "chaste," "virginal," or "holy." It's in the dative singular feminine, agreeing with "παρθένῳ" (parthēnō). It signifies purity and integrity, especially in relation to purity in relationships and absence of defilement.
- παρθένῳ (parthēnō): "virgin." This noun, in the dative singular feminine, is a key metaphor. A virgin represented uncorrupted purity and betrothal exclusivity. In ancient society, a virgin's chastity was highly valued and indicative of her integrity before marriage.
- παρεστησάμην (parastēsāmēn): Aorist middle indicative, 1st person singular of "παρίστημι" (paristēmi). It means to "present," "stand by," "introduce," or "set before." Here it conveys the action of presenting something or someone to another, specifically Paul presenting the church to God/Christ. The middle voice suggests Paul was doing this on behalf of and for the benefit of the church, actively involved in their preservation for that presentation.
Words Group Analysis:
- "ζηλω ὑμᾶς τῷ θεῷ" (zēlō hymās tō theō): This phrase encapsulates Paul’s zealous passion for the Corinthians directed towards God. His zealousness isn't a private emotion but a divine-driven purpose related to his ministry concerning the church and its standing before God.
- "ἁγνῇ παρθένῳ" (hagnēi parthēnō): The combination of "pure" and "virgin" is a powerful metaphor for the church’s intended state in relation to Christ. It emphasizes the need for spiritual purity, singular devotion, and uncorrupted faith. This purity is a requirement for the church as the bride of Christ.
- "παρεστησάμην" (parastēsāmēn): This verb signifies the ultimate goal of Paul’s strenuous ministry – to ensure that the Corinthians would be presented faultless to God, having been carefully guarded and kept pure.
2 Corinthians 11 2 Bonus Section
The intensity of Paul's "zeal" (ζηλω) here is comparable to his zeal mentioned in Philippians 3:6 regarding his former life as a Pharisee, but now redirected for Christ. The concept of presenting the church to God is linked to Christ’s own actions. In Ephesians 5:27, Christ Himself presents the church to Himself, glorious, holy, and without blemish. Paul’s ministry is in furtherance of Christ’s redemptive work, actively participating in preserving the purity that Christ’s sacrifice makes possible for the church. The betrothal imagery is common in the Old Testament where Israel was called God's spouse or bride, and straying from God was seen as spiritual adultery. Paul extends this imagery to the New Covenant church espoused to Christ.
2 Corinthians 11 2 Commentary
Paul’s earnestness in safeguarding the spiritual integrity of the Corinthian believers is profound. He views his role as one entrusted with presenting the church to Christ in a state of unblemished purity. This highlights the responsibility of ministers and believers alike to maintain and protect the purity of doctrine and life. The metaphor of a chaste virgin underscores the exclusivity of the church’s commitment to Christ and the need to avoid anything that would compromise this unique relationship. It calls for vigilance against false teachings and worldly corruptions that seek to defile the faith. This ideal state is achieved not by human effort alone but through the preserving power of God’s word and Spirit, a process Paul faithfully facilitated through his apostolic teaching and example. The goal is a spotless presentation to Christ, a future reality realized through present faithfulness.