2 Corinthians 11:4

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].

For {G1063} if {G1487}{G3303} he that cometh {G2064} preacheth {G2784} another {G243} Jesus {G2424}, whom {G3739} we have {G2784} not {G3756} preached {G2784}, or {G2228} if ye receive {G2983} another {G2087} spirit {G4151}, which {G3739} ye have {G2983} not {G3756} received {G2983}, or {G2228} another {G2087} gospel {G2098}, which {G3739} ye have {G1209} not {G3756} accepted {G1209}, ye might {G430} well {G2573} bear with {G430} him.

For if someone comes and tells you about some other Yeshua than the one we told you about, or if you receive a spirit different from the one you received or accept some so-called “good news” different from the Good News you already accepted, you bear with him well enough!

For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it way too easily.

For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with him.

Commentary

In 2 Corinthians 11:4, the Apostle Paul issues a scathing, sarcastic warning to the Corinthian believers, expressing his deep concern that they are susceptible to false teachings and deceptive spiritual influences. This verse is a powerful indictment of the ease with which some within the church were accepting messages contrary to the true Christian faith.

Context

This verse is part of Paul's impassioned defense of his apostolic ministry against rival teachers, often referred to as "super-apostles" or false apostles, who had infiltrated the Corinthian church. Paul had earlier declared his spiritual jealousy for them, desiring to present them as a pure virgin to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2). His sarcasm in verse 4 highlights his astonishment and frustration that the Corinthians, who had received the authentic gospel from him, were so readily tolerating those who preached a fundamentally different message. The threat was not merely different nuances, but a complete distortion of core Christian truths.

Key Themes

  • The Danger of False Doctrine: Paul identifies three critical areas where deviation from truth is catastrophic: the person of Jesus, the nature of the Holy Spirit, and the content of the gospel message. These are non-negotiable foundations of Christian faith.
  • Singularity of Truth: The verse emphasizes that there is only one true Jesus, one true Holy Spirit, and one true gospel. Any deviation constitutes a "different kind" (see Linguistic Insights) of truth, which is actually error.
  • Spiritual Discernment: The Corinthians' willingness to "bear with" (or tolerate) these false teachers underscores a lack of spiritual discernment. Paul's warning serves as an enduring call for believers to test the spirits and messages they encounter (1 John 4:1).
  • Paul's Apostolic Concern: Underlying the sarcasm is Paul's deep pastoral heart and his desire to protect the flock from spiritual harm. He sees the acceptance of these false teachings as a direct threat to their salvation and spiritual well-being.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "another" in this verse is allon (ἄλλον), which means "another of a different kind." This is crucial. It's not merely a different perspective or emphasis, but a fundamentally distinct entity. If Paul had used heteron (ἕτερον), it would imply "another of the same kind." By using allon, Paul stresses that the "Jesus," "spirit," and "gospel" being preached by the false teachers were not just alternative versions, but entirely different and incompatible with the true Jesus Christ, the true Holy Spirit, and the true gospel of grace.

Practical Application

This verse remains profoundly relevant for believers today. In an age of diverse spiritual claims and teachings, 2 Corinthians 11:4 calls for vigilant spiritual discernment. We must constantly evaluate what we hear and read against the authoritative standard of God's Word. Any message that presents a "different Jesus" (e.g., one who is not fully God and fully man, or who did not truly die and rise again), a "different spirit" (one that does not align with the fruit and character of the Holy Spirit as revealed in Scripture), or a "different gospel" (e.g., salvation by works, or a gospel without repentance) should be immediately recognized as false and rejected. Believers are called to know the true gospel so intimately that they can readily identify and resist the subtle, and sometimes overt, deceptions of those who serve as ministers of Satan disguised as ministers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:14).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Galatians 1:6

    ¶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

  • Galatians 1:8

    But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

  • Ephesians 4:4

    [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

  • Ephesians 4:5

    One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

  • 1 Corinthians 3:11

    ¶ For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

  • 1 Timothy 2:5

    For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

  • 1 Corinthians 12:4

    Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.