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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} I am jealous {G2206} over you {G5209} with godly {G2316} jealousy {G2205}: for {G1063} I have espoused {G718} you {G5209} to one {G1520} husband {G435}, that I may present {G3936} you as a chaste {G53} virgin {G3933} to Christ {G5547}.

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.

Commentary

### 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
* **Literary Context:** This verse opens a significant section of 2 Corinthians (chapters 10-13) where Paul vigorously defends his apostolic authority and ministry against "super-apostles" who have infiltrated the Corinthian church. These false teachers were undermining Paul's credibility, promoting a different gospel, and potentially leading the Corinthians into spiritual error and immorality. Paul's declaration of "godly jealousy" immediately precedes his explicit warning in [2 Corinthians 11:3](/2_corinthians/11-3 "2 Corinthians 11:3 - Paul's Fear for the Corinthians") about being "corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ," drawing a parallel to Eve's deception by the serpent. This metaphor sets the stage for Paul's urgent plea for the Corinthians to remain faithful to the true gospel he preached.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of betrothal and marriage was deeply embedded in both Jewish and Greco-Roman cultures. In Jewish tradition, betrothal (or *kiddushin*) was a legally binding agreement, often lasting a year, during which the bride remained a virgin in her father's house, preparing for the wedding. Any infidelity during this period was considered adultery. Paul leverages this familiar cultural practice to illustrate the sacred and exclusive nature of the Corinthian believers' commitment to Christ. Furthermore, Corinth itself was a bustling port city known for its diverse religious practices and moral laxity, making the concept of "chaste virginity" particularly poignant and challenging for the nascent Christian community.
* **Key Themes:** The broader context of 2 Corinthians, and specifically chapter 11, is rich with several key themes. One prominent theme is the **defense of true apostleship** against false teachers, where Paul contrasts his humble, suffering ministry with the self-exalting, deceptive practices of his opponents (e.g., [2 Corinthians 11:5-6](/2_corinthians/11-5-6 "2 Corinthians 11:5-6 - Paul's Apostolic Authority")). Another crucial theme is **spiritual purity and fidelity to Christ**, which Paul emphasizes through the marriage metaphor. He fears the Corinthians are being led astray from their "simple devotion to Christ" ([2 Corinthians 11:3](/2_corinthians/11-3 "2 Corinthians 11:3 - Simplicity in Christ")). This ties into the theme of **the church as the Bride of Christ**, a concept that finds its ultimate expression in the New Testament and highlights the intimate, covenantal relationship between Christ and His people (e.g., [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **jealous (Greek, _zēlóō_):** From G2206, meaning "to have warmth of feeling for or against." When qualified by "godly" (G2316, _theós_), it signifies a righteous, fervent passion or zeal that mirrors God's own protective desire for the exclusive devotion of His people. It is not sinful envy, but a zealous safeguarding of a sacred relationship.
* **espoused (Greek, _harmózō_):** From G718, meaning "to joint, i.e. (figuratively) to woo (reflexively, to betroth)." This term refers to the formal act of betrothal, where a man and woman become legally bound to each other, though the marriage is not yet consummated. Paul, as the spiritual father, initiated this spiritual betrothal between the Corinthian church and Christ.
* **chaste (Greek, _hagnós_):** From G53, meaning "properly, clean, i.e. (figuratively) innocent, modest, perfect." This word denotes moral and spiritual purity, undefiledness, and holiness, extending beyond mere physical virginity to encompass integrity of faith and devotion. It implies freedom from spiritual defilement or corruption.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy:"** Paul's opening statement reveals the depth of his pastoral concern. His "jealousy" is not a negative, human emotion, but a divine, righteous fervor, akin to God's own covenantal jealousy for Israel's exclusive devotion (cf. [Exodus 34:14](/exodus/34-14 "Exodus 34:14 - God's Jealous Name")). He desires the Corinthians' undivided allegiance to Christ, protecting them from spiritual infidelity.
* **"for I have espoused you to one husband,"** Paul clarifies the basis of his jealousy: his role as the spiritual agent who brought the Corinthian believers into a covenantal relationship with Christ. The term "espoused" (betrothed) highlights that the church is currently in a period of engagement, awaiting the full consummation of the marriage at Christ's return. The emphasis on "one husband" underscores the exclusivity of their devotion to Christ.
* **"that I may present [you as] a chaste virgin to Christ."** This clause states Paul's ultimate apostolic goal. His ministry is geared towards preserving the spiritual purity and fidelity of the Corinthian church so that they may be presented to Christ, their "one husband," as a "chaste virgin"—undefiled by false teachings, worldly compromises, or spiritual idolatry. This imagery anticipates the church's ultimate glorious presentation to Christ (cf. [Ephesians 5:27](/ephesians/5-27 "Ephesians 5:27 - Christ Presents the Church")).

#### 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.

* [Hosea 2:19-20](/hosea/2-19-20 "Hosea 2:19-20 - God's Betrothal to Israel")
* [Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Love for the Church as His Bride")
* [Revelation 19:7-9](/revelation/19-7-9 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Wedding Supper of the Lamb")

### 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
* **What does "godly jealousy" mean in the context of my own spiritual life, and how might it manifest in a healthy way?**
* **In what ways might I, or my church community, be susceptible to being led astray from "simple devotion to Christ" today?**
* **How does the imagery of being "espoused to one husband" influence my understanding of my commitment and fidelity to Jesus?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate and maintain spiritual purity, living as a "chaste virgin" for Christ?**

### 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](/revelation/19-7-9 "Revelation 19:7-9 - The Wedding Supper of the Lamb")) 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](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ's Cleansing of the Church")). 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](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2 - The New Jerusalem as a Bride").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hosea 2:19

And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.

Hosea 2:20

I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.

Ephesians 5:26

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

Ephesians 5:27

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.

Isaiah 54:5

For thy Maker [is] thine husband; the LORD of hosts [is] his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

Leviticus 21:13

And he shall take a wife in her virginity.

Leviticus 21:15

Neither shall he profane his seed among his people: for I the LORD do sanctify him.