| Geneva Study Bible Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. People's New Testament 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers, etc. It is not strange if persons really doing Satan's work should appear as ministers of righteousness. The sorest wounds of the church are not found from without, but from agents of Satan within. Wesley's Notes 11:15 Therefore it is no great, no strange, thing; whose end, notwithstanding all their disguises, shall be according to their works. Scofield Reference Notes Margin righteousness See Scofield Note: "1Jn 3:7". Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 15. no great thing-no difficult matter. if his ministers also-as well as himself. righteousness-answering to "light" (2Co 11:14); the manifestation wherewith God reveals Himself in Christ (Mt 6:33; Ro 1:17). end-The test of things is the end which strips off every specious form into which Satan's agents may now "transform" themselves (compare Php 3:19, 21). according to their works-not according to their pretensions. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 11:5-15 It is far better to be plain in speech, yet walking openly and consistently with the gospel, than to be admired by thousands, and be lifted up in pride, so as to disgrace the gospel by evil tempers and unholy lives. The apostle would not give room for any to accuse him of worldly designs in preaching the gospel, that others who opposed him at Corinth, might not in this respect gain advantage against him. Hypocrisy may be looked for, especially when we consider the great power which Satan, who rules in the hearts of the children of disobedience, has upon the minds of many. And as there are temptations to evil conduct, so there is equal danger on the other side. It serves Satan's purposes as well, to set up good works against the atonement of Christ, and salvation by faith and grace. But the end will discover those who are deceitful workers; their work will end in ruin. Satan will allow his ministers to preach either the law or the gospel separately; but the law as established by faith in Christ's righteousness and atonement, and the partaking of his Spirit, is the test of every false system. | 
