False doctrines can persuade sincere hearts to depart from the simplicity and power of Christ.
The apostle Paul, who lived from around AD 5 to AD 67, writes to the Corinthian believers expressing his concern that they might be too willing to listen to false teachers. He cautions them by stating, “For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully” (v.4). Even though Paul had ministered in Corinth—an ancient city located in southern Greece on the narrow stretch of land called the Isthmus of Corinth—he worries that certain teachers could sway the believers with messages that deviate from the truth about Christ. Paul wants them to anchor themselves in the original, life-transforming gospel they first received.
By referencing “another Jesus” (v.4), Paul implies that there are those who would distort the identity and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ, proclaiming a different nature or message than what had been faithfully taught by Paul and the other apostles. Such distortions may sound appealing or spiritual, but they undermine the core truths that unify believers under one Lord and one faith (Ephesians 4:5). The phrase “or you receive a different spirit” (v.4) further suggests that these teachings could introduce influences not aligned with God’s Holy Spirit, leading to confusion and division. Paul contrasts these new claims with the well-grounded truth of the gospel the Corinthians had once embraced.
The church’s worrying openness to “a different gospel” (v.4) echoes Paul’s earlier concern in Galatians 1:6-9 where he strongly rebukes the idea of adding or subtracting from the good news of Jesus Christ. When Paul laments that the Corinthians “bear this beautifully” (v.4), he is pointing out their alarming tolerance of incorrect doctrines. This open acceptance puts the community of believers at risk of drifting away from the redemptive work of Jesus, who offers reconciliation with God for all who believe in Him (Romans 5:1-2). Paul’s earnest plea is that they remain steadfast to the authentic teaching, the pure Spirit of God, and the unchanging gospel he shared.
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2 Corinthians 11:4 meaning
The apostle Paul, who lived from around AD 5 to AD 67, writes to the Corinthian believers expressing his concern that they might be too willing to listen to false teachers. He cautions them by stating, “For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully” (v.4). Even though Paul had ministered in Corinth—an ancient city located in southern Greece on the narrow stretch of land called the Isthmus of Corinth—he worries that certain teachers could sway the believers with messages that deviate from the truth about Christ. Paul wants them to anchor themselves in the original, life-transforming gospel they first received.
By referencing “another Jesus” (v.4), Paul implies that there are those who would distort the identity and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ, proclaiming a different nature or message than what had been faithfully taught by Paul and the other apostles. Such distortions may sound appealing or spiritual, but they undermine the core truths that unify believers under one Lord and one faith (Ephesians 4:5). The phrase “or you receive a different spirit” (v.4) further suggests that these teachings could introduce influences not aligned with God’s Holy Spirit, leading to confusion and division. Paul contrasts these new claims with the well-grounded truth of the gospel the Corinthians had once embraced.
The church’s worrying openness to “a different gospel” (v.4) echoes Paul’s earlier concern in Galatians 1:6-9 where he strongly rebukes the idea of adding or subtracting from the good news of Jesus Christ. When Paul laments that the Corinthians “bear this beautifully” (v.4), he is pointing out their alarming tolerance of incorrect doctrines. This open acceptance puts the community of believers at risk of drifting away from the redemptive work of Jesus, who offers reconciliation with God for all who believe in Him (Romans 5:1-2). Paul’s earnest plea is that they remain steadfast to the authentic teaching, the pure Spirit of God, and the unchanging gospel he shared.