For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
For I am jealous. The justification of his self-commendations, his zealous care lest they fall from Christ, to whom he, as "the friend of the bridegroom" (John 3:29), has espoused them: in order to lead them back from false apostles to Christ, he is obliged to boast, as the apostle of Christ, in a way which, but for the motive, would be "folly."
Godly jealousy - literally, 'jealousy of God' (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:12, Greek): a jealousy which has God's honour at heart (1 Kings 19:10).
I have espoused you. Paul uses a term х heermosameen (G718)] applied properly to the bridegroom, just as he ascribes to himself "jealousy," a feeling belonging to the husband [the active hermosa would be used of a father espousing his daughter to a man]: so entirely does he identify himself with Christ.
To one husband. Those who would attach you to another (1 Corinthians 1:12-13) make you unfaithful to Him. Compare Isaiah 54:5; Isaiah 62:5; Jeremiah 3:1, etc.; Ezekiel 16:8, etc.
Present you as a chaste virgin to Christ - at His coming, when the heavenly marriage shall take place (Matthew 25:6; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 19:9). What Paul here says he desires-namely, to "present" the church as "a chaste virgin" to Christ-Christ Himself does in the fuller sense. Whatever ministers do effectively, is really done by Christ (Ephesians 5:27-32). The espousals are going on now. He does not say ' chaste virgins;' for not individuals, but the whole body of believers conjointly constitute the Bride.