11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be {c} corrupted from the simplicity that is in {d} Christ.
(c) This passage is to be noted against those who hate the plain and pure simplicity of the scriptures, in comparison of the elegance and fluency of man's eloquence.
(d) Which is proper for those who are in Christ.
11:3 But I fear, etc. As Eve was seduced from God by the serpent (Ge 3:1), so he fears that the Corinthian brethren may be led from the
simplicity, single-minded devotion, that is in Christ.
11:3 But I fear - Love is full of these fears. Lest as the serpent - A most apposite comparison. Deceived Eve - Simple, ignorant of evil. By his subtilty - Which is in the highest degree dangerous to such a disposition. So your minds - We might therefore be tempted, even if there were no sin in us. Might be corrupted - Losing their virginal purity. From the simplicity that is in Christ - That simplicity which is lovingly intent on him alone, seeking no other person or thing.
11:1-4 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.
