2 Corinthians 11:3

King James Version (KJV)

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.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

As the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty - This is a strong reflection on the false apostle and his teaching: he was subtle, πανουργος and by his subtlety (πανουργια, from παν, all, and εργον, work; his versatility of character and conduct, his capability of doing all work, and accommodating himself to the caprices, prejudices, and evil propensities of those to whom he ministered) he was enabled to corrupt the minds of the people from the simplicity of the Gospel of Christ; or, to follow the metaphor, he had seduced the pure, chaste, well educated virgin, from her duty, affection, and allegiance to her one only true husband, the high priest, Jesus Christ. And here he seems to intimate that the serpent had seduced the mind of Eve from her affections and allegiance to Adam, her true husband; and certainly from God, her creator and governor. See at the end of the chapter (note).

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

But I fear - Paul had just compared the church to a virgin, soon to be presented as a bride to the Redeemer. The mention of this seems to have suggested to him the fact that the first woman was deceived and led astray by the tempter, and that the same thing might occur in regard to the church which he was so desirous should be preserved pure. The grounds of his fear were:

(1)That Satan had seduced the first woman, thus demonstrating that the most holy ones were in danger of being led astray by temptation; and,

(2)That special efforts were made to seduce them from the faith. The persuasive arts of the false teachers; the power of philosophy; and the attractive and corrupting influences of the world, he had reason to suppose might be employed to seduce them from simple attachment to Christ.

Lest by any means - Lest somehow ( μήπως mēpōs). It is implied that many means would be used; that all arts would be tried; and that in some way, which perhaps they little suspected, these arts would be successful, unless they were constantly put upon their guard.

As the serpent beguiled Eve - see Genesis 3:1-11. The word “serpent” here refers doubtless to Satan, who was the agent by whom Eve was beguiled see John 8:44; 1 John 3:8; Revelation 12:9; Revelation 20:2. Paul did not mean that they were in danger of being corrupted in the same way, but that similar efforts would be made to seduce them. Satan adapts his temptations to the character and circumstances of the tempted. He varies them from age to age, and applies them in such a way as best to secure his object. Hence, all should be on their guard. No one knows the mode in which he will approach him, but all may know that he will approach them in some way.

Through his subtilty - see Genesis 3:1. By his craft, art, wiles ( ἐν τῇ πανουργίᾳ en tē panourgia). The word implies that shrewdness, cunning, craft was employed. A tempter always employs cunning and art to accomplish his object. The precise mode in which Satan accomplished his object is not certainly known. Perhaps the cunning consisted in assuming an attractive form - a fascinating manner - a manner suited to charm; perhaps in the idea that the eating of the forbidden fruit had endowed a serpent with the power of reason and speech above all other animals, and that it might be expected to produce a similar transformation in Eve. At all events there were false pretences and appearances, and such Paul apprehended would be employed by the false teachers to seduce and allure them; see on 2 Corinthians 11:13-14.

So your minds should be corrupted - So your thoughts should be perverted. So your hearts should be alienated. The mind is corrupted when the affections are alienated from the proper object, and when the soul is filled with unholy plans, and purposes, and desires.

From the simplicity that is in Christ -

(1) From simple and single-hearted devotedness to him - from pure and unmixed attachment to him. The fear was that their affections would be fixed on other objects, and that the singleness and unity of their devotedness to him would be destroyed.

(2) from his pure doctrines. By the admixture of philosophy; by the opinions of the world there was danger that their minds should be turned away from their hold on the simple truths which Christ had taught.

(3) from that simplicity of mind and heart; that childlike candor and docility; that freedom from all guile, dishonesty, and deception which so eminently characterized the Redeemer. Christ had a single aim; was free from all guile; was purely honest; never made use of any improper arts; never resorted to false appearances; and never deceived. His followers should in like manner be artless and guileless. There should be no mere cunning, no trick, no craft in advancing their purposes. There should be nothing but honesty and truth in all that they say. Paul was afraid that they would lose this beautiful simplicity and artlessness of character and manner; and that they would insensibly be led to adopt the maxims of mere cunning, of policy, of expediency, of seductive arts which prevailed so much in the world - a danger which was imminent among the shrewd and cunning people of Greece; but which is confined to no time and no place. Christians should be more guileless than even children are; as pure and free from trick, and from art and cunning as was the Redeemer himself.

(4) from the simplicity in worship which the Lord Jesus commended and required. The worship which the Redeemer designed to establish was simple, unostentatious, and pure - strongly in contrast with the gorgeousness and corruption of the pagan worship, and even with the imposing splendor of the Jewish temple service. He intended that it should be adapted to all lands, and such as could be offered by all classes of people - a pure worship, claiming first the homage of the heart, and then such simple external expressions as should best exhibit the homage of the heart. How easily might this be corrupted! What temptations were there to attempt to corrupt it by those who had been accustomed to the magnificence of the temple service, and who would suppose that the religion of the Messiah could not be less gorgeous than that which was designed to shadow forth his coming; and by those who had been accustomed to the splendid rites of the pagan worship, and who would suppose that the true religion ought not to be less costly and splendid than the false religion had been. If so much expense had been lavished on false religions, how natural to suppose that equal costliness at least should be bestowed on the true religion. Accordingly the history of the church for a considerable part of its existence has been little more than a record of the various forms in which the simple worship instituted by the Redeemer has been corrupted, until all that was gorgeous in pagan ceremonies and splendid in the Jewish ritual has been introduced as a part of Christian worship.

(5) from simplicity in dress and manner of living. The Redeemer‘s dress was simple. His manner of living was simple. His requirements demand great simplicity and plainness of apparel and manner of life; 1 Peter 3:3-6; 1 Timothy 2:9-10. Yet how much proneness is there at all times to depart from this! What a besetting sin has it been in all ages to the church of Christ! And how much pains should there be that the very simplicity that is in Christ should be observed by all who bear the Christian name!

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

The apostle desired to preserve the Corinthians from being corrupted by the false apostles. There is but one Jesus, one Spirit, and one gospel, to be preached to them, and received by them; and why should any be prejudiced, by the devices of an adversary, against him who first taught them in faith? They should not listen to men, who, without cause, would draw them away from those who were the means of their conversion.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

3. Beguiled. Or, “deceived.” Paul fears that these false apostlesÃ¢â‚¬â€emissaries of SatanÃ¢â‚¬â€will seduce the Corinthians as the serpent seduced Eve. In both instances Satan masterminded the evil plot (Gen. 3:1-11; John 8:44; 1 John 3:8). Because the serpent became the instrument of Satan for the fall of Adam and Eve and the entrance of sin into the world, the Scriptures commonly speak of him as the “serpent” (Rev. 12:9; 20:2). Paul’s theology is based on the premise that the fall of man was a historical event (see on Rom. 5:12-19).

Subtilty. Or, “craftiness,” “cunning.” Deception is Satan’s stock in trade (John 8:44; Rev. 20:8); without it he would have no success at all.

Minds. Gr. noÃ„â€œmata, “thoughts” (see on ch. 10:5). The particular object of Satan’s attack is the human mind (John 12:40; see on 2 Cor. 10:4, 5). In Corinth the corruption of believers’ minds came about through the agency of false teachers. Satan corrupts the mind by warping and searing the conscience. His work is opposite to that of the gospel, which is to purify the conscience.

Satan accomplishes his nefarious work by blinding men’s minds to the truth, by hardening and deceiving their hearts, and by enslaving the reason to the passions. He causes men and women to doubt God’s love and seeks to deprive them of the power to choose the right. He occupies their minds with anything and everything that will crowd out time, and the desire, for Christ, for His righteousness, and for His kingdom (Luke 21:34-36). He seeks to inject into every mind hostility and rebellion against God (Rom. 8:7; James 4:4).

Corrupted. Or, “depraved.” In Rev. 19:2 “corrupt” is used figuratively of marital unchastity. In Bible times infidelity after betrothal was considered almost equivalent to adultery after marriage (see on Matt. 1:18, 19). Spiritually, as the intermediary between bride and heavenly Groom, the guardian and protector of the bride-elect must give an account of the Corinthian church, and he dare not be careless. He therefore watches over her with “godly jealousy” (2 Cor. 11:2), and considers these false leaders as rival aspirants to the virgin’s hand and heart.

Simplicity. Or, “sincerity.” Textual evidence favors (cf. p. 10) the addition of the words “and purity.” Paul here speaks of singlehearted faith in, and devotion to, Christ (cf. James 1:8). He repeatedly insists upon the virtue of fidelity to Christ.

The statement of 2 Cor. 11:3, about being “corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ,” emphatically denies the teaching that a man cannot fall from grace and that when “once saved” he is “always saved” (see on John 3:18-21; Gal. 5:4). Even Lucifer, created perfect in beauty and character, fell from his original purity and obedience. Paul clearly recognizes the possibility of dissolving the marriage of believers with Christ by the corrupting power of Satan. When this occurs, the union between Christ and His “bride” is broken.

God’s instructions to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden were simple indeed. He left no doubt as to what He required of them and what would happen if they disobeyed. God gave them one clear reason for not eating the forbidden fruit; Satan offered several plausible reasons in favor of doing so. How simple is God’s definition and interpretation of sin (Matt. 5:21, 22, 27, 28; 1 John 3:4). How simple is the invitation to come to Christ (Isa. 55:1; Rev. 22:17). How clear is the way of truth and righteousness, and how devious the way of darkness and error (John 3:19-21). How simple and explicit are God’s assurances, and how beautifully transparent His promises (2 Cor. 7:1). How simple and true is real love, whereas the divided heart is confused. How strait and narrow is the way of righteousness and life in contrast with the broad and tortuous way of sin and death (Matt. 7:13, 14).

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Ellen G. White
Selected Messages Book 2, 196

I was shown that the office of publication should not be conducted on the same principles as are other publishing houses; for it is to be something after the order of a training school. Everyone connected with it is to be a true missionary, and work upon the same principles that brought it into existence. Self-denial should characterize all the workers.... 2SM 196.1

Self-denial should characterize the men employed in responsible positions in the office, and they should be an example to all the workers. The office was brought into existence through self-denial, and the same spirit should be manifested and maintained. The great object must be kept in view. This is missionary work, and those who have no missionary spirit should not continue in the work.—Letter 5, 1892. 2SM 196.2

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Ellen G. White
Lift Him Up, 21.1

Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning. 2 Corinthians 11:3, NIV. LHU 21.1

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Ellen G. White
Medical Ministry, 113

“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.” ... MM 113.1

“Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” MM 113.2

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Ellen G. White
Patriarchs and Prophets, 55

Satan represented to the holy pair that they would be gainers by breaking the law of God. Do we not today hear similar reasoning? Many talk of the narrowness of those who obey God's commandments, while they themselves claim to have broader ideas and to enjoy greater liberty. What is this but an echo of the voice from Eden, “In the day ye eat thereof”—transgress the divine requirement—“ye shall be as gods”? Satan claimed to have received great good by eating of the forbidden fruit, but he did not let it appear that by transgression he had become an outcast from heaven. Though he had found sin to result in infinite loss, he concealed his own misery in order to draw others into the same position. So now the transgressor seeks to disguise his true character; he may claim to be holy; but his exalted profession only makes him the more dangerous as a deceiver. He is on the side of Satan, trampling upon the law of God, and leading others to do the same, to their eternal ruin. PP 55.1

Eve really believed the words of Satan, but her belief did not save her from the penalty of sin. She disbelieved the words of God, and this was what led to her fall. In the judgment men will not be condemned because they conscientiously believed a lie, but because they did not believe the truth, because they neglected the opportunity of learning what is truth. Notwithstanding the sophistry of Satan to the contrary, it is always disastrous to disobey God. We must set our hearts to know what is truth. All the lessons which God has caused to be placed on record in His word are for our warning and instruction. They are given to save us from deception. Their neglect will result in ruin to ourselves. Whatever contradicts God's word, we may be sure proceeds from Satan. PP 55.2

The serpent plucked the fruit of the forbidden tree and placed it in the hands of the half-reluctant Eve. Then he reminded her of her own words, that God had forbidden them to touch it, lest they die. She would receive no more harm from eating the fruit, he declared, than from touching it. Perceiving no evil results from what she had done, Eve grew bolder. When she “saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat.” It was grateful to the taste, and as she ate, she seemed to feel a vivifying power, and imagined herself entering upon a higher state of existence. Without a fear she plucked and ate. And now, having herself transgressed, she became the agent of Satan in working the ruin of her husband. In a state of strange, unnatural excitement, with her hands filled with the forbidden fruit, she sought his presence, and related all that had occurred. PP 55.3

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