2 Corinthians 12:20 kjv
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:
2 Corinthians 12:20 nkjv
For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;
2 Corinthians 12:20 niv
For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
2 Corinthians 12:20 esv
For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish ? that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.
2 Corinthians 12:20 nlt
For I am afraid that when I come I won't like what I find, and you won't like my response. I am afraid that I will find quarreling, jealousy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorderly behavior.
2 Corinthians 12 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 12:20 | lest I find you not such as I wish, and I be found by you such as you do not wish—some of you may have quarrels, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. | Reconciliation (4:15) |
| Gal 5:19-21 | Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. | Deeds opposed to Spirit |
| 1 Cor 1:10 | I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. | Call for Unity |
| Phil 2:3 | Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. | Humility and Selflessness |
| Rom 12:18 | If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. | Peaceful Living |
| 1 Cor 3:3 | for you are still showing that you are worldly. For just as there is envy and strife and divisions among you, are you not worldly and acting like mere humans? | Worldliness in the Church |
| Titus 3:2 | to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy to all people. | Gentleness and Courtesy |
| James 3:14-16 | But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and do not lie against the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, even demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. | Earthly vs. Heavenly Wisdom |
| 1 Pet 4:8 | Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. | Fervent Love |
| Col 3:12-13 | Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. | Virtues of the Believer |
| Heb 12:15 | See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God, that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled. | Root of Bitterness |
| 1 Cor 4:21 | What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a stick, or with love in a spirit of gentleness? | Paul's Authority |
| 2 Cor 10:8 | For even if I boast a littleative much about the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up and not for tearing you down—I should not be ashamed. | Authority for Edification |
| Rom 14:1 | As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. | Receiving the Weak |
| Eph 4:3 | waiting to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. | Unity of the Spirit |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. | Fruit of the Spirit |
| Phil 4:7 | and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. | Peace of God |
| Col 3:14 | And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. | Love binds all |
| Rom 15:5-6 | May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. | Harmony and Glorifying God |
| Acts 5:3 | But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself some of the proceeds of the land? | Ananias and Sapphira |
2 Corinthians 12 verses
2 Corinthians 12 20 Meaning
This verse speaks to the Corinthians' potential state of being humble, sorrowful in spirit, and quarrelsome. Paul anticipates a potential negative encounter where he might have to deal with division, envy, anger, selfishness, slander, gossip, conceit, and turmoil among them, rather than finding them united in love and peace.
2 Corinthians 12 20 Context
In 2 Corinthians chapter 12, Paul is defending his apostolic authority and ministry. He has been addressing various issues within the Corinthian church, including divisions, false apostles, and criticisms leveled against him. In this final verse of the chapter, Paul is expressing his desire to come to them in a way that builds them up, rather than having to discipline them. He foresees the potential for encountering the very issues he hopes to resolve – divisions, quarrels, and immature behavior, which are characteristic of a fleshly mindset rather than a Spirit-filled one. This verse sets the stage for the final chapter's exhortations and warnings.
2 Corinthians 12 20 Word Analysis
- lest: (Greek: mēpote) – A conjunction expressing a negative purpose or fear, "so that... not," or "for fear that." Paul expresses his concern that his visit might have an undesirable outcome.
- I find: (Greek: heuriskō) – To discover, to meet with, to come upon. Paul anticipates what he might encounter upon arriving.
- you not such: (Greek: hēmas ouchy toiousoutous) – You not such as. A negative description of their state.
- as I wish: (Greek: hōs thelō) – As I desire, as I want. Paul desires to see them in a state of spiritual maturity and unity.
- and I be found: (Greek: kathyrēsō me hymās) – And I may be found by you. This phrase inverts the subject-object relationship of the first clause, indicating a mutual discovery or confrontation.
- by you: (Greek: hyp' hymōn) – By you.
- such as: (Greek: toiousoutous oious ou thelete) – Such as you do not wish. Paul implies that they would not desire a confrontational or disciplinary encounter with him.
- some of you: (Greek: tinas hymōn) – Certain ones among you. Acknowledges that not all might be involved in these behaviors.
- may have: (Greek: ē syn' estin) – May be present, may exist. Indicates the potential reality of these issues.
- quarrels: (Greek: eridēs) – Disputes, contentions, rivalry. Disagreements arising from competition or a desire to prove oneself superior.
- jealousy: (Greek: zēlos) – Zeal, earnestness, often manifesting as envy or a covetous desire for what another possesses, or protective zeal for God. In this context, it leans towards envy and division.
- anger: (Greek: thymos) – Wrath, anger, passion. A strong outburst of emotion, often from a sense of injury or injustice, but can be destructive if uncontrolled.
- hostility: (Greek: eripheias) – Selfish ambition, party spirit, factionalism. Causes division and conflict within the group.
- slander: (Greek: katigoriai) – Accusations, charges, calumnies. Maliciously speaking against others.
- gossip: (Greek: psithyrismoi) – Whispers, secret rumors. Spreading damaging information in secret.
- conceit: (Greek: phyaioseis) – Swelling up, arrogance, pride. An inflated sense of self-importance.
- and disorder: (Greek: akatastasia) – Unsettled state, confusion, tumult, unrest. A lack of order and stability in their conduct and relationships.
Words Group Analysis:
- The list of negative behaviors (quarrels, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, disorder) paints a picture of a church in disarray, characterized by interpersonal conflicts and a lack of Christian maturity. These are presented as manifestations of the flesh warring against the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 12 20 Bonus Section
The list of vices here (erides, zelos, thymos, eripheias, katigoriai, psithyrismoi, physeiōsis, akatastasia) are commonly found in Pauline lists of sins that hinder the work of God and communal harmony. They are the opposite of the "fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23) and reflect a church not yet fully submitted to Christ's teachings and the Holy Spirit's guidance. The structure of Paul's statement suggests a mutual possibility of finding fault – they might not find him as they wish, just as he might not find them as he wishes. This humility in assessing potential encounters underscores his pastoral concern.
2 Corinthians 12 20 Commentary
Paul expresses his fear of encountering disunity and sinfulness in Corinth when he visits. He wants to find them spiritually mature and well-ordered, not caught up in quarrels, envy, anger, factionalism, slander, secret-sharing of rumors, pride, and confusion. His visit is intended for building them up, not for implementing punitive measures. This indicates Paul's concern for their spiritual well-being and his hope for a positive, edifying reunion. The presence of such negative traits is seen as a sign of spiritual immaturity, contrasting with the fruit of the Spirit described elsewhere in the epistles.