TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
For I am jealous for you with God’s kind of jealousy; since I promised to present you as a pure virgin in marriage to your one husband, the Messiah;
Berean Standard Bible
I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
American Standard Version
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.
World English Bible Messianic
For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy. For I married you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Messiah.
Geneva Bible (1599)
For I am ielous ouer you, with godly ielousie: for I haue prepared you for one husband, to present you as a pure virgine to Christ:
Young's Literal Translation
for I am zealous for you with zeal of God, for I did betroth you to one husband, a pure virgin, to present to Christ,
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 28,992 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on 2 Corinthians 11 verses 1–4
1 ¶ Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2 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.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 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.
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, Co2 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 much is it against the grain with a humble man to speak in his own praise. It is no pleasure to a good man to speak well of himself, yet in some cases it is lawful, namely, when it is for the advantage of others, or for our own necessary vindication; as thus it was here. For, 2. We have the reasons for what the apostle did. (1.) To preserve the Corinthians from being corrupted by the insinuations of the false apostles, Co2 11:2, Co2 11:3. He tells them he was jealous over them with godly jealousy; he was afraid lest their faith should be weakened by hearkening to such suggestions as tended to lessen their regard to his ministry, by which they were brought to the Christian faith. He had espoused them to one husband, that is, converted them to Christianity (and the conversion of a soul is its marriage to the Lord Jesus); and he was desirous to present them as a chaste virgin - pure, and spotless, and faithful, not having their minds corrupted with false doctrines by false teachers, as Eve was beguiled by the subtlety of the serpent. This godly jealousy in the apostle was a mixture of love and fear; and faithful ministers cannot but be afraid and concerned for their people, lest they should lose that which they have received, and turn from what they have embraced, especially when deceivers have gone abroad, or have crept in among them. (2.) To vindicate himself against the false apostles, forasmuch as they could not pretend they had another Jesus, or another Spirit, or another gospel, to preach to them, Co2 11:4. If this had been the case, there would have been some colour of reason to bear with them, or to hearken to them. But seeing there is but one Jesus, one Spirit, and one gospel, that is, or at least that ought to be, preached to them and received by them, what reason could there be why the Corinthians should be prejudiced against him, who first converted them to the faith, by the artifices of any adversary? It was a just occasion of jealousy that such persons designed to preach another Jesus, another Spirit, and another gospel.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–4. Public domain.
Copy as
Clement of AlexandriaAD 215
The Instructor Book 1
Directly in point is the instance of the apostle, who says, writing the Corinthians: "For I have espoused you to one man, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ," whether as children or saints, but to the Lord alone. And writing to the Ephesians, he has unfolded in the clearest manner the point in question, speaking to the following effect: "Till we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: that we be no longer children, tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, by the craft of men, by their cunning in stratagems of deceit; but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up to Him in all things."
TertullianAD 220
On Modesty
For flesh not yet manumitted to Christ, for whom it was being kept, used to be contaminated with impunity: so now, after manumission, it no more receives pardon.
TertullianAD 220
Against Marcion Book V
When also he (in a later passage) enjoins us "to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and blood" (since this substance enters not the kingdom of Gods ); when, again, he "espouses the church as a chaste virgin to Christ," a spouse to a spouse in very deed, an image cannot be combined and compared with what is opposed to the real nature the thing (with which it is compared).
Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
HOMILIES ON LEVITICUS 12.5
The apostle Paul says, “But I want you all to present yourselves as a pure virgin to one man, Christ. For I fear lest, as the serpent seduced Eve by his cunning, your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity which is in Christ.” Therefore, Paul wants “all the Corinthians” to present themselves as a pure “virgin to Christ”; certainly he would never want that unless it would seem possible. Whence also it would appear wonderful how these, who although corrupted by diverse sins, came to the faith of Christ, all at once are called “a pure virgin”; a virgin which is so holy and so pure that she is worthy also to be joined in marriage to Christ. However, since we cannot refer these things to the chastity of the flesh, it is sure that they refer to the chastity of the soul, whose “simplicity of the faith which is in Christ,” according to the understanding of Paul himself, was called his virginity.
CyprianAD 258
Epistle LXXIV
For there are not many spouses of Christ, since the apostle says, "I have espoused you, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ; "
NovatianAD 258
IN PRAISE OF PURITY 1
May purity, then—that purity which goes above and beyond the will and which we should will always to possess—be also given to us for the sake of redemption, so that what has been consecrated by Christ cannot be corrupted. If the apostle states that the church is the bride of Christ, I ask you now to reflect just what purity is required of you, when the church herself is given in marriage as a virgin bride.
Methodius of OlympusAD 311
Methodius Discourse III. Thaleia
Who sees her daughters after a long separation, she embraced and kissed each one of us with great joy, saying, 'O, my daughters you have come with toil and pain to me who am earnestly longing to conduct you to the pasture of immortality; toilsomely have you come by a way abounding with many frightful reptiles; for, as I looked, I saw you often stepping aside, and I was fearing lest you should turn back and slip over the precipices. But thanks to the Bridegroom to whom I have espoused.
If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy; "meaning by Jerusalem, as I said, these very undefiled and incorrupt souls, which, having with self-denial drawn in the pure draught of virginity with unpolluted lips, are "espoused to one husband "to be presented "as a chaste virgin to Christ"
AmbrosiasterAD 384
COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES
Paul is making it clear that what he is about to say he will say out of love for them, so that it may be conducive to their progress as much as to his praise and that they may learn from it how to do a favor to their father in the gospel. For to speak ill of a father harms the sons, and the praise of sons is a father’s glory.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily 23 on 2 Corinthians
And therefore he added, "For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy." He did not say, "for I love you," but uses a term far more vehement than this. For those souls are jealous which burn ardently for those they love, and jealousy can in no other way be begotten than out of a vehement affection. Then that they may not think, that it is for the sake of power, or honor, or wealth, or any other such like thing, that he desires their affection, he added, "with a jealousy of God." For God also is said to be jealous, not that any should suppose passion, (for the Godhead is impassible,) but that all may know that He doeth all things from no other regard than their sakes over whom He is jealous; not that Himself may gain aught, but that He may save them. Among men indeed jealousy ariseth not from this cause, but for the sake of their own repose; not because the beloved ones sustain outrage, but lest these who love them should be wounded, and be outshone in the good graces, and stand lower in the affections, of the beloved. But here it is not so. "For I care not," he says, "for this, lest I should stand lower in your esteem; but lest I should see you corrupted. For such is God's jealousy; and such is mine also, intense at once and pure." Then there is also this necessary reason; "For I espoused you to one husband, as a pure virgin." "Therefore I am jealous, not for myself, but for him to whom I have espoused you." For the present time is the time of espousal, but the time of the nuptials is another; when they sing, "the Bridegroom hath risen up." Oh what things unheard of! In the world they are virgins before the marriage, but after the marriage no longer. But here it is not so: but even though they be not virgins before this marriage, after the marriage they become virgins. So the whole Church is a virgin. For addressing himself even to all, both husbands and wives, he speaks thus. But let us see what he brought and espoused us with, what kind of nuptial gifts. Not gold, not silver, but the kingdom of heaven. Wherefore also he said, "We are ambassadors on behalf of Christ," and beseeches them, when he was about to receive the Bride.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
CONVERTS AND THE CREED 213.7
Do you wish to know how the church is a virgin? Hear the apostle Paul; hear the friend of the Bridegroom who is zealous not for himself but for the Bridegroom: “I betrothed you to one spouse.” He spoke to the church. To which church? To all that his letter could reach. “I betrothed you to one spouse, that I might present you a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear lest,” he said, “as the serpent seduced Eve by his guile …” That serpent never physically defiled Eve, did he? Yet he did destroy her virginity of heart. On that account Paul said: “I fear lest … your minds may be corrupted from that chastity which is in Christ.” Therefore, the church is a virgin; she is a virgin, may she be a virgin. Let her beware of the deceiver, lest he turn out to be a corrupter. The church is a virgin. Are you, perhaps, going to say to me: “If the church is a virgin, how does she bring forth children? Or, if she does not bring forth children, how did we give our names so that we might be born of her?” I answer: “She is a virgin and she also brings forth children.” She imitates Mary, who gave birth to the Lord. Did not the holy Mary bring forth her Child and remain a virgin? So, too, the church both brings forth children and is a virgin. And if you would give some consideration to the matter, she brings forth Christ, because they who are baptized are his members.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
FEAST OF THE NATIVITY 188
Why does Paul address all these different people as a “chaste virgin,” unless he is referring to their faith, hope and love?
Augustine of HippoAD 430
FEAST OF THE NATIVITY 195.2
To the same church the apostle says: “For I have promised you to one spouse, that I might present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” … The church, then, like Mary, has inviolate integrity and incorrupt fecundity. What Mary merited physically, the church has guarded spiritually, with the exception that Mary brought forth one Child, while the church has many children destined to be gathered into one body by One.
Caesarius of ArlesAD 542
SERMON 155.4
The souls of all men and women know that they are spouses of Christ if they are willing to preserve both bodily chastity and virginity of heart. For Christ is to be understood as the spouse of their souls, not of their bodies.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying 2 Corinthians 11:2 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
CNTR CollationThe earliest Greek manuscripts of this verse, collated letter by letter.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
In 2 Corinthians 11:2, the Apostle Paul articulates his profound spiritual devotion and protective zeal for the Corinthian believers, drawing an analogy to a father or guardian who has meticulously arranged the betrothal of a daughter to her rightful husband. His "godly jealousy" stems from a deep concern that the nascent church in Corinth, whom he has spiritually "espoused" to Christ, might be led astray from their pure and singular devotion, thereby compromising their spiritual chastity before their divine Bridegroom. This verse encapsulates Paul's apostolic burden to safeguard the integrity of the gospel and the spiritual purity of the church, ensuring their unblemished presentation to Christ.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs Metaphor and Personification in this verse, casting the church as a "chaste virgin" and Christ as her "one husband." This central Marriage Metaphor is a powerful theological and literary device, illustrating the intimate, exclusive, and covenantal nature of the relationship between Christ and His people. Paul himself is personified as the "friend of the bridegroom" or the father who arranges the betrothal, underscoring his apostolic responsibility and protective love. The phrase "godly jealousy" is an Oxymoron in common parlance, as jealousy is often seen as negative, but here it is qualified by "godly," transforming it into a positive, righteous zeal. This highlights the unique nature of Paul's spiritual concern, mirroring God's own holy indignation against spiritual unfaithfulness.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the New Testament's understanding of the church's intimate and exclusive relationship with Jesus Christ, portraying it as a spiritual betrothal. Paul's "godly jealousy" reflects God's own covenantal faithfulness and His demand for singular devotion from His people, a theme deeply rooted in the Old Testament where Israel is often depicted as Yahweh's bride. The ultimate goal of this spiritual espousal is the church's presentation to Christ in purity, signifying the eschatological hope of a perfected, holy bride united with her divine Bridegroom. This imagery underscores the vital importance of guarding against anything that would compromise the church's spiritual integrity or lead believers astray from their simple, unadulterated devotion to Christ.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's passionate words in 2 Corinthians 11:2 serve as a timeless call to spiritual vigilance and purity for every believer and for the church corporately. We are reminded that our relationship with Christ is not merely transactional or intellectual, but deeply personal, intimate, and exclusive, akin to a sacred betrothal. This demands a singular devotion, guarding our hearts and minds against anything that might defile our faith or divert our affections from Jesus. In a world saturated with competing ideologies, distractions, and even false gospels, Paul's "godly jealousy" for the Corinthians should ignite within us a similar zeal to protect the purity of our walk with Christ and the integrity of the gospel message. It compels us to critically discern teachings and influences, ensuring they align with the simplicity and truth of Christ, so that we, too, may be found "chaste" and faithful when presented to our Bridegroom.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is "godly jealousy" as Paul describes it?
Answer: "Godly jealousy" (Greek: zēlos theou) is a righteous, fervent, and protective passion that mirrors God's own character. Unlike sinful human envy, which is rooted in selfish desire or resentment, godly jealousy stems from a holy desire to preserve purity, truth, and exclusive devotion within a sacred relationship. Paul's jealousy for the Corinthians was not about his own gain or reputation, but about safeguarding their spiritual fidelity to Christ and the integrity of the gospel he had delivered. It is a protective love that seeks to prevent spiritual adultery or defilement.
How does the concept of "espousal" relate to the church's current relationship with Christ?
Answer: The term "espousal" (Greek: harmózō) refers to the formal betrothal or engagement period. In ancient cultures, this was a legally binding agreement, though the couple did not yet live together. Paul uses this metaphor to describe the church's present relationship with Christ: believers are already committed and bound to Christ as their future Husband, but the full consummation of the marriage (the "wedding supper of the Lamb" described in Revelation 19:7-9) is yet to come. This implies a period of preparation, purity, and anticipation, where the church is called to remain faithful and undefiled until Christ's return.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The imagery of the church as a "chaste virgin" espoused to Christ finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the "one husband" to whom believers are eternally bound. Paul's mission to present the church unblemished to Christ echoes Christ's own redemptive purpose. Just as a groom prepares for his bride, Christ "loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and blameless" (Ephesians 5:25-27). This profound theological truth highlights that the church's purity and ultimate presentation are not achieved by human effort alone, but are the direct result of Christ's atoning sacrifice and ongoing sanctifying work. He is the one who makes His bride chaste and worthy, preparing her for the glorious consummation of their union, a perfect and eternal fellowship that transcends all earthly relationships, as prophesied in Revelation 21:2.