But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
I fear (2 Corinthians 12:20) - not inconsistent with love. He feared their yielding character.
Subtilty - the foe of the "simplicity" which is intent on ONE object, Jesus, and seeks none 'other,' and no 'other' and different spirit (2 Corinthians 11:4); but loves him with tender SINGLENESS OF AFFECTION. Where Eve first gave way was in mentally harbouring for a moment the possibility insinuated by the serpent, of GOD not having her truest interests at heart, and of this 'other' professing friend being more concerned for her than GOD.
Corrupted - so as to lose their virgin purity through seducers (2 Corinthians 11:4). The same Greek х noeemata (G3540)] stands for "minds" as for 'thoughts' (2 Corinthians 10:5, note): intents. 'Aleph (') B Delta f g, after "simplicity," add, 'and the purity' or 'chastity' х hagnoteetos (G54): B, hagioteetos (G41), 'the holiness'].
In Christ - Greek, that is, 'toward Christ.'