Envy is different to jealousy. Envy is like covetousness, desiring something belonging to someone else: it has a grabbing motivation. Jealousy is the fear of losing someone: it has a guarding motivation. So a husband or wife will be jealous to guard their marriage and parents will be jealous to guard their children. God declared Himself to be a jealous God (Zechariah 8:2). In the same way, Paul was jealous over the church in Corinth, guarding it from the false teachers who were trying to take God's people away from the real Jesus. Paul longed for them to be the Bride of Christ, not slaves to imposters.

Paul's refusal to walk away from them was evidence of his love. He could not be the shepherd who left his Master's sheep to the mercy of wolves (John 10:11-13): he loved his Master too much. Recalling Eve's deception by Satan, Paul said that the false teachers in Corinth were motivated by the devil, not godly love. It was a strong statement, alerting his readers to the evil behind those leaders, who seemed to be godly but were not (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

The church had accepted dangerous substitute-doctrines about Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the gospel. Jesus personally appointed Paul to proclaim the true gospel (Romans 1:1), through which the Holy Spirit would bring new life. The false teachers did not represent Jesus or reveal Him. They offered a false gospel and misrepresented the Holy Spirit. Such wrong teaching was common, especially after a church had been founded or was growing; it was Satan's way of trying to wreck God's building – and Paul's condemnation was very strong indeed. Read Galatians 1:6-9.

Such teaching still infiltrates churches today. People are attracted to a Jesus who does not mind what you do and gives you whatever you want, and a gospel that turns grace into either licence or legalism, and a spirit who can be manipulated by 'spiritual' people. The consumer marketing by some so-called ministers is dangerous. They offer health and wealth, good feelings and realised dreams, when Jesus commands us to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him (Luke 9:23). The remedy is found in accurately applied Bible teaching, patient pastoring, and selfless service. It is not just a responsibility of 'professional' ministers (although they should be devoted to apostolic teaching and example). Every believer should be jealous to defend the truth – by proclaiming it! As Christ's ambassadors we urge friends and colleagues to be reconciled to the real Jesus, through the real gospel with the help of Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 5:20).