John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 11:14

"And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light." — 2 Corinthians 11:14 (ASV)

And no marvel. It is an argument from the greater to the less. “If Satan, who is the basest of all beings, indeed, the head and chief of all wicked persons, transforms himself, what will his ministers do?” We have experience of both every day, for when Satan tempts us to evil, he does not profess to be what he really is.

For he would lose his objective if we were made aware of his being a mortal enemy and opposer of our salvation. Therefore, he always uses some cloak for the purpose of ensnaring us and does not immediately show his horns, (as the common expression is), but rather endeavors to appear as an angel even when he tempts us to gross crimes, he nevertheless uses some pretext so that he may draw us, when we are off our guard, into his nets.

What then, if he attacks us under the appearance of good, indeed, under the very title of God? His life-guards imitate, as I have said, the same artifice. These are golden preambles—“Vicar of Christ,” “Successor of Peter,” “Servant of God’s servants”—but let the masks be pulled off, and who and what will the Pope be discovered to be? Scarcely will Satan himself, his master, surpass so accomplished a scholar in any kind of abomination. It is a well-known saying regarding Babylon, that she gives poison to drink in a golden cup (Jeremiah 51:7). Therefore, we must be on our guard against masks.

Should anyone now ask, “Shall we then regard all with suspicion?” I answer that the Apostle did not by any means intend this, for there are marks of discrimination, which it would be characteristic of stupidity, not of prudence, to overlook. He simply desired to arouse our attention, so that we may not immediately judge the lion by its skin. For if we are not hasty in forming a judgment, the Lord will arrange it so that the ears of the animal will be discovered before long. Furthermore, he likewise desired to admonish us, in forming an estimate of Christ’s servants, not to regard masks, but to seek after what is of more importance. Ministers of righteousness is a Hebraism for faithful and upright persons.