2 Corinthians 11:4
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.
Original Language Analysis
μὲν
G3303
μὲν
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
2 of 26
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
3 of 26
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐρχόμενος
he that cometh
G2064
ἐρχόμενος
he that cometh
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
5 of 26
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦν
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
7 of 26
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
ἐκηρύξαμεν
preached
G2784
ἐκηρύξαμεν
preached
Strong's:
G2784
Word #:
8 of 26
to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)
ὃ
which
G3739
ὃ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
9 of 26
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐκηρύξαμεν
preached
G2784
ἐκηρύξαμεν
preached
Strong's:
G2784
Word #:
11 of 26
to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel)
πνεῦμα
spirit
G4151
πνεῦμα
spirit
Strong's:
G4151
Word #:
13 of 26
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
ἐλάβετε
if ye receive
G2983
ἐλάβετε
if ye receive
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
15 of 26
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
ὃ
which
G3739
ὃ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
16 of 26
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐλάβετε
if ye receive
G2983
ἐλάβετε
if ye receive
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
18 of 26
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
ὃ
which
G3739
ὃ
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
22 of 26
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Historical 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).
Questions for Reflection
- How can we distinguish 'another Jesus' from the biblical Christ—what are the telltale signs of a false portrayal of Jesus?
- 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?
- Why are churches sometimes more tolerant of false teaching that sounds sophisticated than of biblical truth that sounds simple or offensive?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.