2 Corinthians 11:2
For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.
I betrothed you to one husband. Our union with the Lord is sometimes described as a betrothal or marriage (Eph. 5:24-25, Rev. 19:7, 21:9, 22:17).
The gospel of grace is the thrilling announcement that the Lover of your soul desires to share his life in wedded union with you forever. For those who believe it, the gospel is the joyful declaration that right now and forever more, you are in perfect union with him. Your days of restless wandering are over, for in Christ you have already found your eternal rest. In Christ, you are already home. See entry for Union.
2 Corinthians 11:3
But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.
(a) The serpent deceived Eve. Ignorance can lead to deception. We all need to know what God has said lest we be deceived by another Jesus or a different gospel (2 Cor. 11:4). Paul is not suggesting women are inferior to men. He’s saying, don’t neglect to train people. Adam neglected to teach Eve, and as a result, she fell into deception.
(b) Simplicity. The gospel is simple but religion makes it complicated. “God loves you, but…” “You are forgiven, but…” Suddenly the good news is not so good and we feel an unholy need to balance his grace with our works. The next thing you know, you need a divinity degree to be saved and you’re trusting the guy who can recognize Greek words and aorist verbs more than you’re trusting the Holy Spirit.
Further reading: “What happens to Christians who stray?”
2 Corinthians 11:7
Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge?
(a) The gospel revealed in the Bible goes by several names. There is the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 1:1) or the gospel of Christ (Rom. 15:19, 1 Cor. 9:12, 2 Cor. 2:12, 9:13, 10:14, Gal. 1:7, Php. 1:27, 1 Th. 3:2). There is the gospel of God (Mark 1:14, Rom 1:1, 15:16, 1 Th. 2:2, 8, 9, 1 Pet. 4:17), gospel of the blessed God (1 Tim. 1:11), and the gospel of his Son (Rom 1:9). There is the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 4:23, 9:35, 24:14, Luke 16:16), and the gospel of the glory of Christ (2 Cor. 4:4). These are different labels for the one and only gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24). See entry for The Gospel.
(b) Without charge; see entry for 1 Cor. 9:18.
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