◄ What Does 2 Corinthians 11:2 Mean? ►

Godly jealousy is very different from the selfish jealousy that is so often displayed in the wrong attitudes and actions of the natural man. The yearning that Paul felt towards the Corinthian Church was that of a loving father towards his beloved virgin daughter who is betrothed to be married, and whose dear desire and precious privilege is to maintain her purity until she is finally united as one with her husband.

Paul was jealous for the Corinthian Christians with a godly jealousy, having a deep desire for their spiritual well-being and growth, their spiritual protection and provision, and their spiritual maturity and purity.

Paul was the appointed apostle who had been commissioned by God to take the gospel of grace to the Gentile nations. He had been the one who had taught that Christ died for their sins and rose again, bringing this little body of believers to spiritual birth. But now he had a godly jealousy for their sanctification and purity so that he might present each of them to the Lord Jesus as a chaste virgin, when they go to be with the Lord. And the Body of Christ (also known as the Bride of Christ) will be united with her Bridegroom at the Rapture of the Church.

This godly jealousy for the sanctification of all believers should be the dear desire in the hearts of all of us. Not only for ourselves (that we grow in grace and in a knowledge of the Lord Jesus), but for every other member of the Church. We should desire Christ to sanctify us completely, having cleansed us all by the washing of water with the Word so that He might present us to Himself, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that we would be holy and blameless - in Him.

Heavenly Father, thank You for my justification in Christ and for His sanctifying life in me. I pray for the Church, the whole Body of Christ, that we may grow in godly wisdom and grace, become spiritually mature in the faith, and pure in thought, word, and deed. May we all continue to be conformed into the likeness of the Lord Jesus, day by day, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. And may we stand before You as a pure virgin on that glorious day, when we will know as we are known. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.