The Meaning of 2 Corinthians 11:14 Explained

2 Corinthians 11:14

KJV: And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

YLT: and no wonder -- for even the Adversary doth transform himself into a messenger of light;

Darby: And it is not wonderful, for Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

ASV: And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  no  marvel;  for  Satan  himself  is transformed  into  an angel  of light. 

What does 2 Corinthians 11:14 Mean?

Context Summary

2 Corinthians 11:10-21 - Constrained To Silence Boasters
In vivid language, which proves how greatly he had been moved, the Apostle contrasts the false teachers who were injuring his converts with himself. They brought their disciples under bondage, exalted themselves, and lived in self-indulgence. He did not hesitate to unveil their true character and to designate them as emissaries of Satan. We need to fear a white devil even more than a black one. Satan conceals his deeds under the guise of an angel clothed in light; and as it is with him, so with his instruments; as their deeds are, so will be their end.
In the succeeding category, 2 Corinthians 11:16-21, Paul confesses freely that his words might seem in conflict with the humility that Jesus taught, and might savor of boastfulness and pride; but for the sake of the truth he stooped to the level of these false teachers, and adopted their own methods. Though he would not think of plundering or of smiting the disciples as these intruders did, yet he would meet the latter on their own ground. The proverb says, "Answer a fool according to his folly," and this is an exact description of the Apostle's defense. This much at least was clear: that the motive of his life was absolutely pure and selfless, and was capable of lifting him to a career of unparalleled heroism. [source]

Chapter Summary: 2 Corinthians 11

1  Out of his jealousy over the Corinthians, he enters into a forced commendation of himself,
5  of his equality with the chief apostles,
7  of his preaching the gospel to them freely, and without any charge to them;
13  showing that he was not inferior to those deceitful workers in any legal prerogative;
23  and in the service of Christ, and in all kinds of sufferings for his ministry, far superior

Greek Commentary for 2 Corinthians 11:14

An angel of light [αγγελον πωτος]
The prince of darkness puts on the garb of light and sets the fashion for his followers in the masquerade to deceive the saints. “Like master like man.” Cf. 2 Corinthians 2:11; Galatians 1:8. This terrible portrayal reveals the depth of Paul‘s feelings about the conduct of the Judaizing leaders in Corinth. In Galatians 2:4 he terms those in Jerusalem “false brethren.” [source]
Satan []
See on Luke 10:18. The rabbinical writings represent the devil rather as the enemy of man than of God or of good. They use none of the New-Testament names for the Evil One except Satan, and contain no mention of a kingdom of Satan. Edersheim says: “Instead of the personified principle of evil to which there is response in us - we have only a clumsy and often a stupid hater.” It is also to be observed that in the Septuagint the usage is limited to the enemy of man, as is that of διάβολος devilby which Satan is translated. See 1 Chronicles 21:1; Esther 7:4; Esther 8:1; Psalm 108:1-13:(109) Psalm 108:5; Job 1:6; Zechariah 3:1, Zechariah 3:2. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 2 Corinthians 11:14

Matthew 17:2 He was transfigured [μετεμορφώθη]
μετά , denoting change or transfer, and μορφή , form. This latter word denotes the form regarded as the distinctive nature and character of the object, and is distinguished from σχῆμα , the changeable, outward fashion: in a man, for instance, his gestures, clothes, words, acts. The μορφή partakes of the essence of a thing; the σχῆμα is an accident which may change, leaving the form unaffected. Compare Mark 16:12; Christ “appeared in another form ” ( μορφή )and 1 Corinthians 7:31: “the fashion ( σχῆμα ) of the world passeth away.” The distinction passes into the verbs compounded with these two nouns. Thus, Romans 12:2, “Be not conformed to this world,” is μὴ συσχηματίζεσθε ;i.e., be not fashioned according to the fleetingfashion of this world. So Rev.,fashioned. See, also, 2 Corinthians 11:13, 2 Corinthians 11:14, 2 Corinthians 11:15, where the changes described are changes in outward semblance. False apostles appeared in the outward fashion of apostles of Christ; Satan takes on the outward appearance of an angel. All these changes are in the accidents of the life, and do not touch its inner, essential quality. On the other hand, a change in the inner life is described as a change of μορθή , never of σχῆμα . Hence, Romans 12:2, “Be ye transformed ( μεταμορφοῦσθε )the change taking place by the renewing of the mind. Compare Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philemon 3:21; and see, further, on Philemon 2:6, Philemon 2:7. Why, then, it may be asked, is a compound of μορφή employed in this description of the transfigured Saviour, since the change described is a change in his outward appearance? It may be answered, because a compound of σχῆμα , expressing merely a change in the aspect of Christ's person and garments, would not express the deeper truth of the case, which is, that the visible change gets its real character and meaning from that which is essential in our Lord - his divine nature. A fore-shadowing or prophecy of his true form - his distinctive character - comes out in his transfiguration. He passes over into a form identified, so far as revealed, with the divine quality of his being, and prophetic of his revelation “as he is” (1 John 3:2), in the glory which he had with the Father before the world was (John 17:5). In truth, there is a deep and pregnant hint in the use of this word, which easily escapes observation, and which defies accurate definition. The profound and overwhelming impression upon the three disciples was due to something besides the shining of Christ's face and garments, and the presence of Moses and Elijah; and was deeper and subtler than the effect of all these combined. There was a fact and a power in that vision which mere radiance and the appearance of the dead patriarchs could not wholly convey: a revelation of Deity breaking out in that glorified face and form, which appealed to something deeper than sense, and confirmed the words from heaven: This is my beloved Son. The same truth is illustrated in the use of μορφή in Mark 16:12, where it is said that Jesus appeared in a different form ( ἐν ἑτέρᾳ μορφῇ ) after his resurrection. The accidents of figure, face, pierced hands and feet, were the same; but an indefinable change had passed upon him, the characteristic of which was that it prefigured his passing into the condition peculiar and appropriate to his essential spiritual and divine being. -DIVIDER-
-DIVIDER-
[source]

2 Corinthians 11:13 Deceitful [δολιοι]
Old word from δολος — dolos (lure, snare), only here in N.T. (cf. Romans 16:18). Fashioning themselves (μετασχηματιζομενοι — metaschēmatizomenoi). Present middle (direct) participle of the old verb μετασχηματιζω — metaschēmatizō for which see note on 1 Corinthians 4:6. Masquerading as apostles of Christ by putting on the outward habiliments, posing as ministers of Christ (“gentlemen of the cloth,” nothing but cloth). Paul plays with this verb in 2 Corinthians 11:13, 2 Corinthians 11:14, 2 Corinthians 11:15. [source]
2 Corinthians 11:13 Fashioning themselves [μετασχηματιζομενοι]
Present middle (direct) participle of the old verb μετασχηματιζω — metaschēmatizō for which see note on 1 Corinthians 4:6. Masquerading as apostles of Christ by putting on the outward habiliments, posing as ministers of Christ (“gentlemen of the cloth,” nothing but cloth). Paul plays with this verb in 2 Corinthians 11:13, 2 Corinthians 11:14, 2 Corinthians 11:15. [source]
Revelation 12:7 Michael and his angels [ο Μιχαηλ και οι αγγελοι αυτου]
The nominative here may be in apposition with πολεμος — polemos but it is an abnormal construction with no verb, though εγενετο — egeneto (arose) can be understood as repeated. Michael is the champion of the Jewish people (Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:21; Daniel 12:1) and is called the archangel in Judges 1:9.Going forth to war (του πολεμησαι — tou polemēsai). This genitive articular infinitive is another grammatical problem in this sentence. If εγενετο — egeneto (arose) is repeated as above, then we have the infinitive for purpose, a common enough idiom. Otherwise it is anomalous, not even like Acts 10:25.With the dragon On the use of μετα — meta with πολεμεω — polemeō see Revelation 2:16; Revelation 13:4; Revelation 17:14 (nowhere else in N.T.). The devil has angels under his command (Matthew 25:41) and preachers also (2 Corinthians 11:14.).Warred (επολεμησεν — epolemēsen). Constative aorist active indicative of πολεμεω — polemeō picturing the whole battle in one glimpse. [source]
Revelation 12:7 With the dragon [μετα του δρακοντος]
On the use of μετα — meta with πολεμεω — polemeō see Revelation 2:16; Revelation 13:4; Revelation 17:14 (nowhere else in N.T.). The devil has angels under his command (Matthew 25:41) and preachers also (2 Corinthians 11:14.).Warred (επολεμησεν — epolemēsen). Constative aorist active indicative of πολεμεω — polemeō picturing the whole battle in one glimpse. [source]

What do the individual words in 2 Corinthians 11:14 mean?

And no wonder himself for - Satan masquerades as an angel of light
καὶ οὐ θαῦμα αὐτὸς γὰρ Σατανᾶς μετασχηματίζεται εἰς ἄγγελον φωτός

οὐ  no 
Parse: Adverb
Root: οὐ  
Sense: no, not; in direct questions expecting an affirmative answer.
θαῦμα  wonder 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Neuter Singular
Root: θαῦμα  
Sense: a wonderful thing, a marvel.
αὐτὸς  himself 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Σατανᾶς  Satan 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Σατανᾶς  
Sense: adversary (one who opposes another in purpose or act), the name given to.
μετασχηματίζεται  masquerades 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Middle, 3rd Person Singular
Root: μετασχηματίζω  
Sense: to change the figure of, to transform.
ἄγγελον  an  angel 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: ἄγγελος  
Sense: a messenger, envoy, one who is sent, an angel, a messenger from God.
φωτός  of  light 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Neuter Singular
Root: φῶς  
Sense: light.