2 Corinthians 12:20

What does 2 Corinthians 12:20 mean?

A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 12:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 2 Corinthians 12:20 means

Paul fears that on his arrival he may find the church unlike what he desires—marked by relational sins: strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, and tumults. He also warns they may find him “such as ye would not,” meaning he would have to act with firm discipline rather than the gentleness they might prefer. He longs for peace, but not at the cost of truth. These social sins tear the body and betray the gospel’s reconciling power. Paul’s anxiety is pastoral: he yearns for a church ordered by love, humility, and unity, not by the competitive spirit of the false teachers.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For I have a fear that, when I come, you may not be answering to my desire, and that I may not be answering to yours; that there may be fighting, hate, angry feeling, divisions, evil talk about others, secrets, thoughts of pride, outbursts against authority;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for I fear lest, having come, not such as I wish I may find you, and I--I may be found by you such as ye do not wish, lest there be strifes, envyings, wraths, revelries, evil-speakings, whisperings, puffings up, insurrections,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For I fear lest perhaps, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found by you such as you would not. Lest perhaps contentions, envyings, animosities, dissensions, detractions, whisperings, swellings, seditions, be among you.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For I fear lest perhaps coming I find you not such as I wish, and that I be found by you such as ye do not wish: lest [there might be] strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, puffings up, disturbances;

Context

After asserting that his words aim at edification, Paul names concrete disorders he dreads finding at Corinth. This list reflects the relational breakdowns already hinted at in the letter. It prepares for the final verse’s focus on sexual sin and lack of repentance. The warning also anticipates the tone of his next visit—if these sins persist, he will come with the firmness required. The chapter thus moves from defense and affection to sober accountability, reminding readers that apostolic authority exists to heal and, when necessary, to correct.

v.19Ye think all this time that we are excusing ourselves unto you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.

v.20This passage

v.21lest again when I come my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Corinthians 12:21

    lest again when I come my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:7

    Nay, already it is altogether a defect in you, that ye have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather take wrong? why not rather be defrauded?

  • 2 Corinthians 13:9

    For we rejoice, when we are weak, and ye are strong: this we also pray for, even your perfecting.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:18

    Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.

  • Galatians 5:19

    Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

  • 1 Corinthians 4:6

    Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other.

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