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2 Corinthians 11:4

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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.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

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.

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.

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This verse in 2 Corinthians 11

Commentary

11 notes on this verse

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

For if he that cometh - The false apostle, who came after St. Paul had left Corinth. Preacheth another Jesus - Who can save more fully and more powerfully than that Jesus whom I have preached. Or if ye receive another spirit - And if in consequence of believing in this new saviour ye receive another spirit, the gifts, graces, and consolations of which are greater than those which ye have received from the Holy Ghost, which has been given to you on your believing on the Christ whom we preached.

This site's exposition

just as Eve was deceived

on 2 Corinthians 11:3-4

Paul applies the deception of Genesis 3 to Corinth: just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, minds may be led astray. Haplotes, simplicity, is singleness of devotion, a bride's undivided loyalty drawn away by a smoother speaker.

This site's exposition

a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed

Adam Clarke reads the verse as a test. A rival would need a Jesus able to save more fully, and a spirit richer in gifts than the Holy Spirit already given.

The record, by era

The Church Fathers1 voice

A commentator

John Chrysostom

Homily 23 on 2 Corinthians · Written before 407.

proposed

"For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus whom we did not preach:" showing hereby that their deceivers were not Corinthians, but persons from some other quarter previously corrupted: wherefore he saith, "he that cometh." "If ye receive a different Spirit, if a different Gospel which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear" with him. What sayest thou? Thou that saidst to the Galatians, "If any preach another Gospel to you than that ye have received, let him be anathema;" dost thou now say, "ye do well to bear" with him? And yet on this account it were meet not to bear with, but to recoil, from them; but if they say the same things, it is meet to bear with them. How then dost thou say, "because they say the same things, it is not meet to bear with them?" for he says, "if they said other things, it were meet to bear with them." Let us then give good heed, for the danger is great, and the precipice deep, if men run past this carelessly; and what is here said giveth an entrance to all the heresies. What then is the sense of these words? Those persons so boasted as if the Apostles taught incompletely, and they were introducing somewhat more than they. For it is probable that with much idle talk, they were bringing in senseless rubbish so as to overlay these doctrines. And therefore he made mention of the serpent and of Eve who was thus deceived by the expectation of acquiring more. […]

The Medieval Church2 voices

A commentator

Theophylact of Ohrid

Commentary on 2 Corinthians · Written before 1107.

proposed

What are you saying, Paul? In the Epistle to the Galatians you wrote: if anyone preaches to you a gospel other than what you have received, let him be anathema (Gal. 1:8); so how can you now say that if they preached another Jesus, your …

A commentator

Thomas Aquinas

Commentary on 2 Corinthians · Written before 1274.

proposed

Having described the zeal he had for the Corinthians and proved it reasonable, the Apostle now rejects their excuse. In regard to this he does two things. First, he proposes their excuse; secondly, he removes it (v. 5). In regard to the first it should …

The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — verbatim-scripture

For if he that cometh,....
3 more voices on this verse

The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

He mentions, in his own necessary vindication, his equality with the other apostles, and with the false apostles in this particular of preaching the gospel to the Corinthians freely, without wages,

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

proposed

1Co 1:12); hence his assumption of the title. preacheth . . . receive--is preaching . . . ye are receiving. Jesus--the "Jesus" of Gospel history.

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens

For if he that cometh ... - There is much difficulty in this verse in ascertaining the true sense, and expositors have been greatly perplexed and divided in opinion, especially with regard to the true sense of the last clause, “ye might well bear with him.” It is difficult to ascertain whether Paul meant to speak ironically or seriously; and different views will prevail as different views are taken of the design. If it be supposed that he meant to speak seriously, the sense will be, “If the false teacher could recommend a better Saviour than I have done, or a Spirit better able to sanctify and save, then there would be a propriety in your receiving him and tolerating his doctrines.” If the former, then the sense will be, “You cannot well bear with me; but if a man comes among you preaching a false Saviour, and a false Spirit, and a false doctrine. then you bear with him without any difficulty.” Another interpretation still has been proposed, by supposing that the word “me” is to be supplied at the close of the verse instead of “him,” and then the sense would be, “If you receive so readily one who preaches another gospel, one who comes with far less evidence that he is sent from God than I have, and if you show yourselves thus ready to fall in with any kind of teaching that may be brought to you, you might at least bear with me also.” Amidst this variety it is not easy to ascertain the true sense. To me it seems probable, however, that Paul spoke seriously, and that our translation has expressed the true sense. The main idea doubtless is, that Paul felt that there was danger that they would be corrupted. If they could bring a better gospel, a more perfect system, and proclaim a more perfect Saviour, there would be no such change. But that could not be expected. […]

The words behind it

26 Greek words

Every Greek word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Galatians 1:6I am amazed how quickly you are deserting the One who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—39 works1 Corinthians 3:11For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.11 works1 Timothy 2:5For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,10 worksEphesians 4:4–5There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called;10 works1 Corinthians 1:13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?8 works1 Corinthians 4:6Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another.8 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
1 Corinthians 12:4–11There are different gifts, but the same Spirit.5 works2 Corinthians 6:6in purity, knowledge, patience, and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love;5 works2 Corinthians 11:1I hope you will bear with a little of my foolishness, but you are already doing that.5 worksGalatians 3:2I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith?4 worksActs 4:12Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”4 worksEphesians 4:5one Lord, one faith, one baptism;4 worksRomans 8:15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”3 works2 Corinthians 12:12The true marks of an apostle—signs, wonders, and miracles—were performed among you with great perseverance.3 works1 Corinthians 12:3Therefore I inform you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.3 works2 Corinthians 3:8will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?2 works1 Corinthians 14:37If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.2 works2 Corinthians 10:7You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should remind himself that we belong to Christ just as much as he does.2 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    1 Corinthians 3:11

    For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.

    it leads to

    • Ephesians 2:20

      built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.

    • Isaiah 28:16

      So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.

    • 2 Timothy 2:19

      Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”

    • Acts 4:11–12

      This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’

  • Through

    1 Timothy 2:5

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

    it leads to

    • 1 Corinthians 8:6

      yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and…

    • Galatians 3:20

      A mediator is unnecessary, however, for only one party; but God is one.

    • Hebrews 9:15

      Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under…

    • Hebrews 7:25

      Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.

Where this verse is studied

About 2 Corinthians

The Apostle Paul in Prison, Rembrandt, 1627. Public domain.
The Apostle Paul in Prison, Rembrandt, 1627. Public domain.
2 Corinthians: the study guide →Read 2 Corinthians 11 →
This page draws on 10 works. Open the list of works

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Frederic Godet, Commentary on the Epistles to the Corinthians; Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; John Chrysostom, Homily 23 on 2 Corinthians; John Gill, Exposition of the New Testament (1746-1748); Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible; Theophylact of Ohrid, Commentary on 2 Corinthians and Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on 2 Corinthians.

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