King James Version

What Does 2 Corinthians 11:4 Mean?

2 Corinthians 11:4 in the King James Version says “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have...” — study this verse from 2 Corinthians chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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. with him: or, with me”

2 Corinthians 11:4 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

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. with him: or, with me

5

For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.

6

But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Paul's biting irony reaches its peak: the Corinthians tolerate false teachers proclaiming allon Iēsoun (ἄλλον Ἰησοῦν, 'another Jesus'), pneuma heteron (πνεῦμα ἕτερον, 'a different spirit'), and euangelion heteron (εὐαγγέλιον ἕτερον, 'a different gospel'), yet balk at Paul's self-defense!

The triple formula—another Jesus, another spirit, another gospel—exposes the comprehensive corruption introduced by the false apostles. Their 'Jesus' was not the crucified Messiah but perhaps a triumphalistic wonder-worker. Their 'spirit' was not the Holy Spirit of power-in-weakness but a spirit of worldly impressiveness. Their 'gospel' was not salvation by grace alone through Christ's substitutionary death but works-righteousness or experiential elitism.

The conditional 'if he that cometh' suggests itinerant false teachers arriving with impressive credentials. Paul's sarcastic 'ye might well bear with him' (kalōs anechesthe, καλῶς ἀνέχεσθε) can be read as indicative ('you put up with him well enough!') rather than mere possibility. Their misplaced tolerance of heresy while questioning Paul's orthodoxy reveals inverted priorities.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The 'super-apostles' likely claimed connection to the Jerusalem church or eyewitness apostles, promoted Jewish exclusivism or Greek sophistication, emphasized visions and ecstatic experiences, and demanded financial support as proof of their status. Their 'different gospel' may have included elements of proto-Gnosticism or Judaizing (cf. Galatians 1:6-9).

Reflection Questions

  1. How can we distinguish 'another Jesus' from the biblical Christ—what are the telltale signs of a false portrayal of Jesus?
  2. In what ways does contemporary Christianity sometimes proclaim 'a different gospel' that retains Christian vocabulary but abandons salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone?
  3. Why are churches sometimes more tolerant of false teaching that sounds sophisticated than of biblical truth that sounds simple or offensive?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
εἰ1 of 26

“if”

G1487

if, whether, that, etc

μὲν2 of 26
G3303

properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)

γὰρ3 of 26

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

ὁ4 of 26
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐρχόμενος5 of 26

“he that cometh”

G2064

to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

ἄλλον6 of 26

“another”

G243

"else," i.e., different (in many applications)

Ἰησοῦν7 of 26

“Jesus”

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἐκηρύξαμεν8 of 26

“preached”

G2784

to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)

ὃ9 of 26

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐκ10 of 26

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐκηρύξαμεν11 of 26

“preached”

G2784

to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)

ἢ12 of 26

“or”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

πνεῦμα13 of 26

“spirit”

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

ἕτερον14 of 26

“another”

G2087

(an-, the) other or different

ἐλάβετε15 of 26

“if ye receive”

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

ὃ16 of 26

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐκ17 of 26

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐλάβετε18 of 26

“if ye receive”

G2983

while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))

ἢ19 of 26

“or”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

εὐαγγέλιον20 of 26

“gospel”

G2098

a good message, i.e., the gospel

ἕτερον21 of 26

“another”

G2087

(an-, the) other or different

ὃ22 of 26

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

οὐκ23 of 26

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐδέξασθε24 of 26

“accepted”

G1209

to receive (in various applications, literally or figuratively)

καλῶς25 of 26

“well”

G2573

well (usually morally)

ἠνείχεσθε26 of 26

“bear with”

G430

to hold oneself up against, i.e., (figuratively) put up with

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Corinthians 11:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Corinthians 11:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Galatians 1:6-81 Corinthians 3:11Ephesians 4:4-51 Timothy 2:51 Corinthians 12:4-11Galatians 3:2

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