2 Corinthians 11:14

14 And no wonder, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:14 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 11:14

And no marvel
This need not be wondered at, nor is it any new or strange thing; nor should it be thought to be incredible that there are such persons in being:

for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light;
a good angel, one that has his abode in the regions of light; and is possessed of divine and spiritual light and understanding; who is clothed and arrayed with light, this is his form and essence. The apostle speaks agreeably to the notion, of the Jews, who say ^F20,

``(rwa Mh Mlk Mykalmhv) , "that all the angels are light", the clothing of God himself;''

and they have a distinction between (Mwyd Nykalm) , "angels of the day", and angels of the night ^F21: now Satan, the enemy of mankind, sometimes appears in the form of one of these; as he did to Eve in the garden, and to Christ in the wilderness; and by such appearances he often imposes on mankind; pretends the greatest friendship, when he designs nothing but ruin; and under a notion of good, either honest, or pleasant, or profitable, draws on into the commission of the greatest evils; and, under a show of truth, introduces the most notorious falsehoods and errors; and, under a pretence of religion, all sorts of idolatry, superstition, and impiety; it is in this way he has succeeded in his enterprises and temptations; these are his wiles, stratagems, and cunning devices.

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 R. Abraham Seba, Tzeror Hammor, fol. 18. 4.
F21 Zohar in Numb. fol. 91. 1. & 93. 3.

2 Corinthians 11:14 In-Context

12 But what I am doing, I will also do, in order that I may remove the opportunity of those who want an opportunity, that they may be found just as also we [are] in what they are boasting about.

13 For such people [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.

14 And no wonder, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light.

15 Therefore [it is] not a great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

16 Again I say, do not let anyone think I am foolish. But indeed, if [you do], accept me even as foolish, in order that I also may boast a little.