What Does 2 Corinthians 11:15 Mean in the King James?
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.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
An appearance of alignment can be worn as a disguise, while the service beneath it is disclosed by its work.
THE MEANING
A righteous appearance can cover a different service at work beneath it. The works carry that service toward its end, revealing what the appearance conceals. The verse speaks now wherever a role looks aligned but its fruit tells another story.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
A righteous appearance or religious role does not, by itself, prove that the work is righteous.
THE ROOT
μετασχηματίζονται
metaschēmatizontai
GROWS FROM
σχηματ-
form, shape, outward appearance
“transformed” in this verse is metaschēmatizontai. The verb describes a change in outward form; by itself, it does not certify an inner change. Here that gap is the point: appearance can imitate alignment while the works expose its direction.
ALSO GROWS
schēma: form, visible shape, outward appearance
σχῆμα
It shows how someone can take on a recognizable form without that form proving what they serve.
syschēmatizō: conform to a pattern or form
συσχηματίζω
It shares the same form-language, showing how a person can take on an outward pattern.
διάκονοι
diakonoi
GROWS FROM
διακον-
service, ministry, attending to another
“ministers” in this verse is diakonoi. The word names servants or attendants, not a role that proves itself by its title. The verse’s irony is that the service’s true direction appears in what it does and where it leads.
ALSO GROWS
diakonia: service, ministry
διακονία
The shared word-family makes ministry an act of service, whose character is shown in its practice.
diakoneō: to serve, attend to
διακονέω
This verb makes the service concrete: the works reveal whom the apparent minister actually serves.
THE PATTERN
An outward appearance can imitate what is right, but the heart or works reveal what it serves.
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.THE THREAD
Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.The Greek word translated “change” shares the form-root of “transformed” here. The root describes a change of form; its source and outcome reveal whether that change is a disguise or a true transformation.
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