2 Corinthians 11 4

2 Corinthians 11:4 kjv

For 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.

2 Corinthians 11:4 nkjv

For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted?you may well put up with it!

2 Corinthians 11:4 niv

For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.

2 Corinthians 11:4 esv

For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough.

2 Corinthians 11:4 nlt

You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.

2 Corinthians 11 verses

2 Corinthians 11 4 Meaning

The verse states that if someone preaches a different Jesus, or if believers receive a different spirit or a different gospel, they readily tolerate it. This highlights the danger of false teachings that deviate from the true message of Christ and the accessibility with which people can accept these deviations.

2 Corinthians 11 4 Context

In 2 Corinthians chapter 11, Paul is defending his apostleship against critics in the Corinthian church who were promoting other, seemingly more appealing, "apostles." He contrasts his genuine ministry, marked by suffering and humility, with the arrogance and false credentials of these opponents. This verse specifically addresses the Corinthians' gullibility in accepting these false teachers, highlighting their susceptibility to novel doctrines and spiritual experiences that differ from the true gospel Paul originally preached. The context is a passionate defense of the purity of the gospel and a critique of those who seek to undermine it.

2 Corinthians 11 4 Word Analysis

• εἴ τις (ei tis): "if anyone." This is a conditional particle introducing a hypothetical situation, a common rhetorical device Paul uses.

• ἔρχεται (erchetai): "comes." Present tense, implying ongoing or future arrival, or the process of coming into being.

• ἄλλον Ἰησοῦν (allon Iēsoun): "another Jesus." This is a crucial phrase. "Allon" in Greek implies a different kind of the same kind, not entirely distinct, but altered or perverted. It's not a different type of being, but a corrupted or counterfeit version of the same entity. This points to false christs or teachings that distort the true identity and work of Jesus Christ.

• ὃν οὐκ ἐκηρύξαμεν (hon ouk ekēryxamen): "whom we did not preach." Emphasizes the divergence from the original apostolic message.

• ἤ πνεῦμα ἕτερον (ē pneuma heteron): "or [if] you receive another spirit." "Heteron" here signifies a distinctly different kind or nature. This contrasts with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, whom the apostles proclaimed. It refers to deceptive spirits or false spiritual experiences that mimic divine power but lead away from Christ.

• ὃ οὐκ ἐδέξασθε (ho ouk edexasthe): "which you did not receive." Parallel structure to the previous clause, reinforcing the theme of deviation from what was originally given.

• ἤ εὐαγγέλιον ἕτερον (ē euangelion heteron): "or another gospel." Again, "heteron" implies a different kind of gospel. This refers to any message that alters the core message of Christ's atoning sacrifice, resurrection, and Lordship, often adding human works or distorted theological concepts.

• ὃ οὐκ ἐδεξάμην (ho ouk edexamēn): "which you did not accept." Paul implicitly means this is what he did not accept, and therefore the Corinthians should not either.

• ὑπομένετε (hypomenete): "you bear with," "you tolerate," "you endure." This is a present tense verb showing an ongoing state of passive acceptance. It conveys a sense of being lenient or permissive, even actively accommodating these false teachings.

• Words Group Analysis:

  • "Another Jesus... another spirit... another gospel": This trio represents the core of false teaching. The deception attacks Christology ("another Jesus"), pneumatology ("another spirit"), and soteriology ("another gospel"). The Greek words "allon" and "heteron" together show the subtle but significant deviation.

2 Corinthians 11 4 Bonus Section

The repeated use of "another" (allon, heteron) is a masterful rhetorical technique. "Allon" suggests something of the same category but different in quality or degree, while "heteron" signifies something of a different kind or nature altogether. Paul uses both to encompass the spectrum of distortion – from subtle misrepresentations to fundamental departures. The "spirit" mentioned is often interpreted as referring to deceptive spirits masquerading as the Holy Spirit, or the unregenerate human spirit influenced by the world, rather than the true Holy Spirit. This verse underscores that salvific truth is singular; any alteration or addition fundamentally changes the message, rendering it invalid.

2 Corinthians 11 4 Commentary

Paul's statement reveals the alarming ease with which the Corinthian church was accepting deviations from the authentic faith. The adversaries were not necessarily denying Jesus outright, but presenting a distorted view – a "different Jesus" perhaps emphasizing Paul’s perceived inferiority, or a different "spirit" claiming divine authority, or a "different gospel" that eased moral demands or exalted human wisdom. The critical issue is the Corinthians' tolerance. Their spiritual discernment seemed dulled, allowing these false claims to flourish without challenge. Paul contrasts their easy acceptance with his own resolute adherence to the pure gospel, implying their openness was a failure in faithfulness. This serves as a perpetual warning to believers about the importance of testing all teachings against the unchanging truth of Scripture and the character of Christ.

• Practical Application: Believers should be diligent in studying God's Word, discerning spirits, and critically evaluating any teaching that seems to contradict foundational apostolic doctrine. Guarding the purity of the gospel and testing the authenticity of spiritual experiences are essential practices.