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Selected Verse: 2 Corinthians 11:3 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
2Co 11:3	Strong Concordance	But [1161] I fear [5399], lest [3381] by any means [4458], as [5613] the serpent [3789] beguiled [1818] Eve [2096] through [1722] his [846] subtilty [3834], so [3779] your [5216] minds [3540] should be corrupted [5351] from [575] the simplicity [572] that is in [1519] Christ [5547].
	King James	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.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
I fear-- (Co2 12:20); not inconsistent with love. His source of fear was their yielding character. subtilty--the utter foe of the "simplicity" which is intent on ONE object, Jesus, and seeks none "other," and no "other" and different Spirit (Co2 11:4); but loves him with tender SINGLENESS OF AFFECTION. Where Eve first gave way, was in mentally harboring for a moment the possibility insinuated by the serpent, of GOD not having her truest interests at heart, and of this "other" professing friend being more concerned for her than God. corrupted--so as to lose their virgin purity through seducers (Co2 11:4). The same Greek stands for "minds" as for "thoughts" (Co2 10:5, also see on Co2 10:5); intents of the will, or mind. The oldest manuscripts after "simplicity," add, "and the purity" or "chastity." in Christ--rather, "that is towards Christ."

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

I fear-- (Co2 12:20); not inconsistent with love. His source of fear was their yielding character.

subtilty--the utter foe of the "simplicity" which is intent on ONE object, Jesus, and seeks none "other," and no "other" and different Spirit (Co2 11:4); but loves him with tender SINGLENESS OF AFFECTION. Where Eve first gave way, was in mentally harboring for a moment the possibility insinuated by the serpent, of GOD not having her truest interests at heart, and of this "other" professing friend being more concerned for her than God.

corrupted--so as to lose their virgin purity through seducers (Co2 11:4). The same Greek stands for "minds" as for "thoughts" (Co2 10:5, also see on Co2 10:5); intents of the will, or mind. The oldest manuscripts after "simplicity," add, "and the purity" or "chastity."

in Christ--rather, "that is towards Christ."

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
But I fear - Paul had just compared the church to a virgin, soon to be presented as a bride to the Redeemer. The mention of this seems to have suggested to him the fact that the first woman was deceived and led astray by the tempter, and that the same thing might occur in regard to the church which he was so desirous should be preserved pure. The grounds of his fear were: (1) That Satan had seduced the first woman, thus demonstrating that the most holy ones were in danger of being led astray by temptation; and, (2) That special efforts were made to seduce them from the faith. The persuasive arts of the false teachers; the power of philosophy; and the attractive and corrupting influences of the world, he had reason to suppose might be employed to seduce them from simple attachment to Christ. Lest by any means - Lest somehow (μήπως mēpōs). It is implied that many means would be used; that all arts would be tried; and that in some way, which perhaps they little suspected, these arts would be successful, unless they were constantly put upon their guard. As the serpent beguiled Eve - see Gen 3:1-11. The word "serpent" here refers doubtless to Satan, who was the agent by whom Eve was beguiled see Joh 8:44; Jo1 3:8; Rev 12:9; Rev 20:2. Paul did not mean that they were in danger of being corrupted in the same way, but that similar efforts would be made to seduce them. Satan adapts his temptations to the character and circumstances of the tempted. He varies them from age to age, and applies them in such a way as best to secure his object. Hence, all should be on their guard. No one knows the mode in which he will approach him, but all may know that he will approach them in some way. Through his subtilty - see Gen 3:1. By his craft, art, wiles (ἐν τῇ πανουργίᾳ en tē panourgia). The word implies that shrewdness, cunning, craft was employed. A tempter always employs cunning and art to accomplish his object. The precise mode in which Satan accomplished his object is not certainly known. Perhaps the cunning consisted in assuming an attractive form - a fascinating manner - a manner suited to charm; perhaps in the idea that the eating of the forbidden fruit had endowed a serpent with the power of reason and speech above all other animals, and that it might be expected to produce a similar transformation in Eve. At all events there were false pretences and appearances, and such Paul apprehended would be employed by the false teachers to seduce and allure them; see on Co2 11:13-14. So your minds should be corrupted - So your thoughts should be perverted. So your hearts should be alienated. The mind is corrupted when the affections are alienated from the proper object, and when the soul is filled with unholy plans, and purposes, and desires. From the simplicity that is in Christ - (1) From simple and single-hearted devotedness to him - from pure and unmixed attachment to him. The fear was that their affections would be fixed on other objects, and that the singleness and unity of their devotedness to him would be destroyed. (2) from his pure doctrines. By the admixture of philosophy; by the opinions of the world there was danger that their minds should be turned away from their hold on the simple truths which Christ had taught. (3) from that simplicity of mind and heart; that childlike candor and docility; that freedom from all guile, dishonesty, and deception which so eminently characterized the Redeemer. Christ had a single aim; was free from all guile; was purely honest; never made use of any improper arts; never resorted to false appearances; and never deceived. His followers should in like manner be artless and guileless. There should be no mere cunning, no trick, no craft in advancing their purposes. There should be nothing but honesty and truth in all that they say. Paul was afraid that they would lose this beautiful simplicity and artlessness of character and manner; and that they would insensibly be led to adopt the maxims of mere cunning, of policy, of expediency, of seductive arts which prevailed so much in the world - a danger which was imminent among the shrewd and cunning people of Greece; but which is confined to no time and no place. Christians should be more guileless than even children are; as pure and free from trick, and from art and cunning as was the Redeemer himself. (4) from the simplicity in worship which the Lord Jesus commended and required. The worship which the Redeemer designed to establish was simple, unostentatious, and pure - strongly in contrast with the gorgeousness and corruption of the pagan worship, and even with the imposing splendor of the Jewish temple service. He intended that it should be adapted to all lands, and such as could be offered by all classes of people - a pure worship, claiming first the homage of the heart, and then such simple external expressions as should best exhibit the homage of the heart. How easily might this be corrupted! What temptations were there to attempt to corrupt it by those who had been accustomed to the magnificence of the temple service, and who would suppose that the religion of the Messiah could not be less gorgeous than that which was designed to shadow forth his coming; and by those who had been accustomed to the splendid rites of the pagan worship, and who would suppose that the true religion ought not to be less costly and splendid than the false religion had been. If so much expense had been lavished on false religions, how natural to suppose that equal costliness at least should be bestowed on the true religion. Accordingly the history of the church for a considerable part of its existence has been little more than a record of the various forms in which the simple worship instituted by the Redeemer has been corrupted, until all that was gorgeous in pagan ceremonies and splendid in the Jewish ritual has been introduced as a part of Christian worship. (5) from simplicity in dress and manner of living. The Redeemer's dress was simple. His manner of living was simple. His requirements demand great simplicity and plainness of apparel and manner of life; Pe1 3:3-6; Ti1 2:9-10. Yet how much proneness is there at all times to depart from this! What a besetting sin has it been in all ages to the church of Christ! And how much pains should there be that the very simplicity that is in Christ should be observed by all who bear the Christian name!

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]

But I fear - Paul had just compared the church to a virgin, soon to be presented as a bride to the Redeemer. The mention of this seems to have suggested to him the fact that the first woman was deceived and led astray by the tempter, and that the same thing might occur in regard to the church which he was so desirous should be preserved pure. The grounds of his fear were:

(1) That Satan had seduced the first woman, thus demonstrating that the most holy ones were in danger of being led astray by temptation; and,

(2) That special efforts were made to seduce them from the faith. The persuasive arts of the false teachers; the power of philosophy; and the attractive and corrupting influences of the world, he had reason to suppose might be employed to seduce them from simple attachment to Christ.

Lest by any means - Lest somehow (μήπως mēpōs). It is implied that many means would be used; that all arts would be tried; and that in some way, which perhaps they little suspected, these arts would be successful, unless they were constantly put upon their guard.

As the serpent beguiled Eve - see Gen 3:1-11. The word "serpent" here refers doubtless to Satan, who was the agent by whom Eve was beguiled see Joh 8:44; Jo1 3:8; Rev 12:9; Rev 20:2. Paul did not mean that they were in danger of being corrupted in the same way, but that similar efforts would be made to seduce them. Satan adapts his temptations to the character and circumstances of the tempted. He varies them from age to age, and applies them in such a way as best to secure his object. Hence, all should be on their guard. No one knows the mode in which he will approach him, but all may know that he will approach them in some way.

Through his subtilty - see Gen 3:1. By his craft, art, wiles (ἐν τῇ πανουργίᾳ en tē panourgia). The word implies that shrewdness, cunning, craft was employed. A tempter always employs cunning and art to accomplish his object. The precise mode in which Satan accomplished his object is not certainly known. Perhaps the cunning consisted in assuming an attractive form - a fascinating manner - a manner suited to charm; perhaps in the idea that the eating of the forbidden fruit had endowed a serpent with the power of reason and speech above all other animals, and that it might be expected to produce a similar transformation in Eve. At all events there were false pretences and appearances, and such Paul apprehended would be employed by the false teachers to seduce and allure them; see on Co2 11:13-14.

So your minds should be corrupted - So your thoughts should be perverted. So your hearts should be alienated. The mind is corrupted when the affections are alienated from the proper object, and when the soul is filled with unholy plans, and purposes, and desires.

From the simplicity that is in Christ -

(1) From simple and single-hearted devotedness to him - from pure and unmixed attachment to him. The fear was that their affections would be fixed on other objects, and that the singleness and unity of their devotedness to him would be destroyed.

(2) from his pure doctrines. By the admixture of philosophy; by the opinions of the world there was danger that their minds should be turned away from their hold on the simple truths which Christ had taught.

(3) from that simplicity of mind and heart; that childlike candor and docility; that freedom from all guile, dishonesty, and deception which so eminently characterized the Redeemer. Christ had a single aim; was free from all guile; was purely honest; never made use of any improper arts; never resorted to false appearances; and never deceived. His followers should in like manner be artless and guileless. There should be no mere cunning, no trick, no craft in advancing their purposes. There should be nothing but honesty and truth in all that they say. Paul was afraid that they would lose this beautiful simplicity and artlessness of character and manner; and that they would insensibly be led to adopt the maxims of mere cunning, of policy, of expediency, of seductive arts which prevailed so much in the world - a danger which was imminent among the shrewd and cunning people of Greece; but which is confined to no time and no place. Christians should be more guileless than even children are; as pure and free from trick, and from art and cunning as was the Redeemer himself.

(4) from the simplicity in worship which the Lord Jesus commended and required. The worship which the Redeemer designed to establish was simple, unostentatious, and pure - strongly in contrast with the gorgeousness and corruption of the pagan worship, and even with the imposing splendor of the Jewish temple service. He intended that it should be adapted to all lands, and such as could be offered by all classes of people - a pure worship, claiming first the homage of the heart, and then such simple external expressions as should best exhibit the homage of the heart. How easily might this be corrupted! What temptations were there to attempt to corrupt it by those who had been accustomed to the magnificence of the temple service, and who would suppose that the religion of the Messiah could not be less gorgeous than that which was designed to shadow forth his coming; and by those who had been accustomed to the splendid rites of the pagan worship, and who would suppose that the true religion ought not to be less costly and splendid than the false religion had been. If so much expense had been lavished on false religions, how natural to suppose that equal costliness at least should be bestowed on the true religion. Accordingly the history of the church for a considerable part of its existence has been little more than a record of the various forms in which the simple worship instituted by the Redeemer has been corrupted, until all that was gorgeous in pagan ceremonies and splendid in the Jewish ritual has been introduced as a part of Christian worship.

(5) from simplicity in dress and manner of living. The Redeemer's dress was simple. His manner of living was simple. His requirements demand great simplicity and plainness of apparel and manner of life; Pe1 3:3-6; Ti1 2:9-10. Yet how much proneness is there at all times to depart from this! What a besetting sin has it been in all ages to the church of Christ! And how much pains should there be that the very simplicity that is in Christ should be observed by all who bear the Christian name!

Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886]
The serpent Paul's only allusion to the story of the serpent in Eden. Eve In accordance with the representation of the Church as the bride. Simplicity that is in Christ Rev. adds, and the purity, following Westcott and Hort's text. Simplicity, single-hearted loyalty. In Christ; better, as Rev., towards (εἰς).

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
But I fear - Love is full of these fears. Lest as the serpent - A most apposite comparison. Deceived Eve - Simple, ignorant of evil. By his subtilty - Which is in the highest degree dangerous to such a disposition. So your minds - We might therefore be tempted, even if there were no sin in us. Might be corrupted - Losing their virginal purity. From the simplicity that is in Christ - That simplicity which is lovingly intent on him alone, seeking no other person or thing.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
As the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty - This is a strong reflection on the false apostle and his teaching: he was subtle, πανουργος and by his subtlety (πανουργια, from παν, all, and εργον, work; his versatility of character and conduct, his capability of doing all work, and accommodating himself to the caprices, prejudices, and evil propensities of those to whom he ministered) he was enabled to corrupt the minds of the people from the simplicity of the Gospel of Christ; or, to follow the metaphor, he had seduced the pure, chaste, well educated virgin, from her duty, affection, and allegiance to her one only true husband, the high priest, Jesus Christ. And here he seems to intimate that the serpent had seduced the mind of Eve from her affections and allegiance to Adam, her true husband; and certainly from God, her creator and governor. See at the end of the chapter (note).

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⁵ Casting down [2507] imaginations [3053], and [2532] every [3956] high thing [5313] that exalteth itself [1869] against [2596] the knowledge [1108] of God [2316], and [2532] bringing into captivity [163] every [3956] thought [3540] to [1519] the obedience [5218] of Christ [5547];

⁴ For [1063] if [1487] [3303] he that cometh [2064] preacheth [2784] another [243] Jesus [2424], whom [3739] we have [2784] not [3756] preached [2784], or [2228] if ye receive [2983] another [2087] spirit [4151], which [3739] ye have [2983] not [3756] received [2983], or [2228] another [2087] gospel [2098], which [3739] ye have [1209] not [3756] accepted [1209], ye might [430] well [2573] bear with [430] him.

²⁰ For [1063] I fear [5399], lest [3381] [4458], when I come [2064], I shall [2147] not [3756] find [2147] you [5209] such as [3634] I would [2309], and that I [2504] shall be found [2147] unto you [5213] such as [3634] ye would [2309] not [3756]: lest [3381] [4458] there be debates [2054], envyings [2205], wraths [2372], strifes [2052], backbitings [2636], whisperings [5587], swellings [5450], tumults [181]:

⁹ In like manner [5615] also [2532], that women [1135] adorn [2885] themselves [1438] in [1722] modest [2887] apparel [2689], with [3326] shamefacedness [127] and [2532] sobriety [4997]; not [3361] with [1722] broided hair [4117], or [2228] gold [5557], or [2228] pearls [3135], or [2228] costly [4185] array [2441];
¹⁰ But [235] (which [3739] becometh [4241] women [1135] professing [1861] godliness [2317]) with [1223] good [18] works [2041].

³ Whose [3739] adorning [2889] let it [2077] not [3756] be [2077] that outward [1855] adorning of plaiting [1708] the hair [2359], and [2532] of wearing [4025] of gold [5553], or [2228] of putting on [1745] of apparel [2440];
⁴ But [235] let it be the hidden [2927] man [444] of the heart [2588], in [1722] that which is not corruptible [862], even the ornament of a meek [4239] and [2532] quiet [2272] spirit [4151], which [3739] is [2076] in the sight [1799] of God [2316] of great price [4185].
⁵ For [1063] after this manner [3779] in the old time [4218] the holy [40] women [1135] also [2532], who [3588] trusted [1679] in [1909] God [2316], adorned [2885] themselves [1438], being in subjection [5293] unto their own [2398] husbands [435]:
⁶ Even as [5613] Sara [4564] obeyed [5219] Abraham [11], calling [2564] him [846] lord [2962]: whose [3739] daughters [5043] ye are [1096], as long as ye do well [15], and [2532] are [5399] not [3361] afraid [5399] with any [3367] amazement [4423].

¹³ For [1063] such [5108] are false apostles [5570], deceitful [1386] workers [2040], transforming themselves [3345] into [1519] the apostles [652] of Christ [5547].
¹⁴ And [2532] no [3756] marvel [2298]; for [1063] Satan [4567] himself [846] is transformed [3345] into [1519] an angel [32] of light [5457].

² And [2532] he laid hold on [2902] the dragon [1404], that old [744] serpent [3789], which [3739] is [2076] the Devil [1228], and [2532] Satan [4567], and [2532] bound [1210] him [846] a thousand [5507] years [2094],

⁹ And [2532] the great [3173] dragon [1404] was cast out [906], that old [744] serpent [3789], called [2564] the Devil [1228], and [2532] Satan [4567], which [3588] deceiveth [4105] the whole [3650] world [3625]: he was cast out [906] into [1519] the earth [1093], and [2532] his [846] angels [32] were cast out [906] with [3326] him [846].

⁸ He that committeth [4160] sin [266] is [2076] of [1537] the devil [1228]; for [3754] the devil [1228] sinneth [264] from [575] the beginning [746]. For [1519] this purpose [5124] the Son [5207] of God [2316] was manifested [5319], that [2443] he might destroy [3089] the works [2041] of the devil [1228].

⁴⁴ Ye [5210] are [2075] of [1537] your father [3962] the devil [1228], and [2532] the lusts [1939] of your [5216] father [3962] ye will [2309] do [4160]. He [1565] was [2258] a murderer [443] from [575] the beginning [746], and [2532] abode [2476] not [3756] in [1722] the truth [225], because [3754] there is [2076] no [3756] truth [225] in [1722] him [846]. When [3752] he speaketh [2980] a lie [5579], he speaketh [2980] of [1537] his own [2398]: for [3754] he is [2076] a liar [5583], and [2532] the father [3962] of it [846].

¹ Now the serpent [05175] was [01961] more subtil [06175] than any beast [02416] of the field [07704] which the LORD [03068] God [0430] had made [06213]. And he said [0559] unto the woman [0802], Yea [0637], hath God [0430] said [0559], Ye shall not eat [0398] of every tree [06086] of the garden [01588]?
² And the woman [0802] said [0559] unto the serpent [05175], We may eat [0398] of the fruit [06529] of the trees [06086] of the garden [01588]:
³ But of the fruit [06529] of the tree [06086] which is in the midst [08432] of the garden [01588], God [0430] hath said [0559], Ye shall not eat [0398] of it, neither shall ye touch [05060] it, lest [06435] ye die [04191].
⁴ And the serpent [05175] said [0559] unto the woman [0802], Ye shall not surely [04191] die [04191]:
⁵ For God [0430] doth know [03045] that in the day [03117] ye eat [0398] thereof, then your eyes [05869] shall be opened [06491], and ye shall be as gods [0430], knowing [03045] good [02896] and evil [07451].
⁶ And when the woman [0802] saw [07200] that the tree [06086] was good [02896] for food [03978], and that it [01931] was pleasant [08378] to the eyes [05869], and a tree [06086] to be desired [02530] to make one wise [07919], she took [03947] of the fruit thereof [06529], and did eat [0398], and gave [05414] also [01571] unto her husband [0376] with her; and he did eat [0398].
⁷ And the eyes [05869] of them both [08147] were opened [06491], and they [01992] knew [03045] that they were naked [05903]; and they sewed [08609] fig [08384] leaves [05929] together [08609], and made themselves [06213] aprons [02290].
⁸ And they heard [08085] the voice [06963] of the LORD [03068] God [0430] walking [01980] in the garden [01588] in the cool [07307] of the day [03117]: and Adam [0120] and his wife [0802] hid themselves [02244] from the presence [06440] of the LORD [03068] God [0430] amongst [08432] the trees [06086] of the garden [01588].
⁹ And the LORD [03068] God [0430] called [07121] unto Adam [0120], and said [0559] unto him, Where art thou [0335]?
¹⁰ And he said [0559], I heard [08085] thy voice [06963] in the garden [01588], and I was afraid [03372], because I [0595] was naked [05903]; and I hid myself [02244].
¹¹ And he said [0559], Who [04310] told [05046] thee that thou wast naked [05903]? Hast thou eaten [0398] of the tree [06086], whereof I commanded thee [06680] that thou shouldest not [01115] eat [0398]?