2 Corinthians 11:15

Verse

It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

American Standard Version (1901)

It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Bible in Basic English

So it is no great thing if his servants make themselves seem to be servants of righteousness; whose end will be the reward of their works.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers be transformed as the ministers of justice, whose end shall be according to their works.

Free Bible Version

So it's no wonder then if those who serve him pretend to be agents of good. But their final end will be in accordance with what they've done.

Geneva Bible 1599

Therefore it is no great thing, though his ministers transforme themselues, as though they were the ministers of righteousnes, whose end shall be according to their workes.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

So it should not surprise you if these men, who really serve Satan, do good things in order to make you think they serve God. Some day God will punish them according to what they deserve because of the evil things that they do.

Unlocked Literal Bible

It is no great surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their fate will be what their deeds deserve.

Noah Webster Bible

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also are transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

World English Bible

It is no great thing therefore if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Young's Literal Translation

no great thing, then, if also his ministrants do transform themselves as ministrants of righteousness — whose end shall be according to their works.

Context

Paul and the False Apostles

¹⁴And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.¹⁵It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Summary

In this verse, the apostle Paul warns the Corinthians about false apostles who disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. These deceitful individuals appear to be ministers of Christ but actually serve Satan, deceiving others with their cunning tactics. Paul's message serves as a caution against being misled by those who distort the truth and highlights the importance of discerning genuine spiritual leaders from those who are driven by deceit and self-interest. It underscores the need for believers to be vigilant, rooted in the genuine teachings of Christ, and guided by the Holy Spirit to avoid falling prey to false doctrines.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Whose end shall be according to their works - A bad way leads to a bad end. The way of sin is the way to hell.

John Gill Bible Commentary

Therefore it is no great thing,.... It is no strange and wonderful thing; it may easily be given into; no man need to make any doubt of it, or hesitate concerning it, since the devil himself, who is an angel of darkness, is transformed into an angel of light: if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; not that they really are transformed into such ministers, but they appear and look like such; they are not really, but "as the ministers of righteousness"; they put on the form and air of faithful upright ministers of the word, and would be thought to be such; they mimic Gospel preachers, who assert the doctrine of justification by the righteousness of Christ, though they most miserably corrupt it, and blend it with something of their own; and which they endeavour to palliate, and cover from the sight of men; and especially they set up themselves as such, by pretending to be great friends to holiness and good works, which they press with much vehemence, and oppose to the doctrines of grace, with all their might and main; in doing which, they greatly serve their master, whose ministers they are; and who well knows that the doctrine of works may do much prejudice to the Gospel interest, and churches of Christ, but will never convert nor save one soul: a dreadful character these men have, for though they would pass for ministers of righteousness, friends to holiness, and men zealous of good works, they are no other than ministers of Satan, doing his work, serving his interest, and propagating his kingdom, which is a kingdom of darkness: whose end shall be according to their works; for either God will make public examples of them in this world, or if they are not made manifest here, though they may deceive themselves and others, they cannot deceive God; he will take off the mask, their hypocrisy shall be detected, their evil works will be laid open, and they will be judged according to them, and condemned for them to everlasting punishment.

2 Corinthians 11:15

Paul and the False Apostles

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

American Standard Version (1901)

It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Bible in Basic English

So it is no great thing if his servants make themselves seem to be servants of righteousness; whose end will be the reward of their works.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers be transformed as the ministers of justice, whose end shall be according to their works.

Free Bible Version

So it's no wonder then if those who serve him pretend to be agents of good. But their final end will be in accordance with what they've done.

Geneva Bible 1599

Therefore it is no great thing, though his ministers transforme themselues, as though they were the ministers of righteousnes, whose end shall be according to their workes.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

It is no great surprise if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their fate will be what their deeds deserve.

Noah Webster Bible

Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also are transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

World English Bible

It is no great thing therefore if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Young's Literal Translation

no great thing, then, if also his ministrants do transform themselves as ministrants of righteousness — whose end shall be according to their works.

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Whose end shall be according to their works - A bad way leads to a bad end. The way of sin is the way to hell.

John Gill Bible Commentary

2 Corinthians 11:15

Verse

Context

Paul and the False Apostles

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

2 Corinthians 11:15

Paul and the False Apostles

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary