2 Corinthians 12 20

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 verses

2 Corinthians 12 20 Meaning

Paul expresses profound pastoral concern that his upcoming third visit to the Corinthians might not be joyful. He fears finding the community plagued by disunity, moral decay, and a host of unrepentant fleshly behaviors. Conversely, he anticipates that if these issues persist, his necessary actions—exercising his apostolic authority to discipline—will be unwelcome and sorrowful for them, rather than the desired fellowship and mutual edification.

2 Corinthians 12 20 Context

This verse is situated in a highly personal and poignant section of Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians. Chapter 12 primarily deals with Paul's defense of his apostleship, emphasizing his experience of weakness, a "thorn in the flesh" (vv. 7-10), and God's sufficient grace. This defense is not for his own boast but to benefit the Corinthians (v. 19). He speaks of his willingness to expend himself completely for them (v. 15), despite their ingratitude. Leading into verse 20, Paul prepares for his third visit (v. 14), asserting that he is not seeking their possessions but them, as he wants to be a loving parent. His expressed fear in verse 20 highlights his deep pastoral concern for the spiritual state of the church, worried that their internal strife and moral laxity persist. This concern is heightened by his prior warnings and instructions (1 Corinthians) and is a preamble to his stern warnings in 2 Corinthians 13:1-4, where he states his intention to take firm action if repentance is not evident. The context underscores Paul's dual desire: to be gentle and loving, yet firm and disciplinary if the Corinthians refuse to address the pervasive spiritual disorders.

2 Corinthians 12 20 Word analysis

• For I am afraid (φοβοῦμαι γὰρ, phoboumai gar): The Greek phoboumai indicates not mere apprehension but a deep, serious fear, a sense of dread or concern. Paul's fear is spiritual, driven by his love for the Corinthians and his understanding of the gravity of their sin. This is a common pastoral sentiment, reflecting a shepherd's care for his flock's spiritual health.
• that when I come (ἐλθόντα, elthonta): Refers to his planned third visit (2 Cor 12:14, 13:1), which he hopes will be for mutual joy and encouragement, not for necessary rebuke.
• I may not find you (οὐχ εὑρὼν ὑμᾶς, ouch heurōn hymas): Paul is expressing a negative expectation about their spiritual state. Heurōn means "to find" or "discover." He fears discovering they have not changed.
• as I wish (οἷος θέλω, hoios thelō): Implies finding them in a state of spiritual maturity, unity, peace, and repentance, consistent with Christian conduct. Thelo conveys a strong desire.
• and that you may find me (κἀγὼ εὑρεθῶ ὑμῖν, kagō heurethō hymin): This shifts the perspective. It’s an inversion, highlighting the consequence of their unrepentance on his conduct toward them.
• as you do not wish (οἷον οὐ θέλετε, hoion ou thelete): Paul anticipates they will find him having to act as an disciplinarian, potentially severe and firm (2 Cor 13:2-4), which would be contrary to their desire for comfort or avoidance of confrontation.
• that perhaps there may be (μή πως ἔρις, mē pōs eris): Introduces the list of specific negative behaviors Paul fears. Eris means "strife," "contention," "quarreling." It suggests strong, bitter disagreement, often stemming from rivalry or envy. This points to ongoing divisions, a problem Paul addressed extensively in 1 Corinthians.
• jealousy (ζῆλος, zēlos): Can be positive (zeal for God) or negative, as here. In this context, it refers to a bitter envy, an ardent longing to have what another possesses, or to be where another is. It often fuels rivalry and disunity.
• anger (θυμοί, thymoi): Plural here. Refers to "fits of anger" or outbursts of rage, reflecting volatile temperaments and a lack of self-control, characteristic of fleshly behavior.
• hostility (ἐριθεῖαι, eritheimai): Plural. Often translated "selfish ambition" or "rivalries." It speaks of self-seeking and divisive contentious party spirit. This word describes actions motivated by a desire to gain advantage over others, creating factions.
• slander (καταλαλιαί, katalaliai): Plural. Denotes evil-speaking, defamation, or backbiting, specifically speaking against another in a way that damages their reputation.
• gossip (ψιθυρισμοί, psithyrismos): Plural. Secret slander, whispered malicious talk. This suggests spreading rumors or defaming behind one's back, often subtly undermining relationships.
• conceit (φυσιώσεις, physiōseis): Plural. Means being "puffed up," inflated with pride or arrogance. This reflects a self-importance that disregards others and often fuels rivalry (1 Cor 4:6, 18-19, 5:2, 8:1).
• disorder (ἀκαταστασίαι, akatastasiai): Plural. "Disorder," "confusion," "restlessness," or "commotion." It speaks of a chaotic and unstable situation, the antithesis of the peace and order God desires in His church (1 Cor 14:33).

Words-group analysis:

• Quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility: This initial grouping highlights the contentious and divisive atmosphere within the Corinthian church. These are active forms of discord, driven by selfishness and lacking brotherly love. They reflect deep-seated issues that had long plagued the community.
• Slander, gossip, conceit: These terms point to relational breakdowns characterized by destructive communication and pride. Slander and gossip are overt acts that damage reputations and trust, while conceit, being "puffed up," is the root attitude that fuels self-promotion at the expense of others, leading to and reinforcing such destructive talk.
• Conceit, disorder: The culmination of the list implies that pride (conceit) directly leads to widespread disarray (disorder). When individuals are puffed up, pursuing their own agendas or seeking personal glory, the unity and peace of the community are shattered, resulting in chaos contrary to God's order. This entire list reflects a community deeply entangled in the "works of the flesh" rather than demonstrating the "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal 5:19-23).

2 Corinthians 12 20 Bonus section

The list of vices in 2 Cor 12:20 is not merely an arbitrary collection but highlights behaviors deeply ingrained in pagan Corinthian society which had infiltrated the church. These very sins often clustered around "personality cults" within the church, where followers of one leader (Paul, Apollos, Cephas, Christ) showed preference and disdain for others, fostering "selfish ambition" and "jealousy." Paul uses these "vice lists" as ethical instructions, showing a clear demarcation between a life lived by the Spirit and one controlled by the flesh. The absence of repentance regarding these specific sins would demonstrate that the Corinthians were not merely weak but perhaps actively resisting the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives, threatening their spiritual authenticity. His repeated use of plural forms for these vices (e.g., thymoi, eritheiai, katalaliai, physioseis) suggests these were not isolated incidents but chronic, widespread issues within the community, affecting multiple individuals and relationships.

2 Corinthians 12 20 Commentary

Paul's lament in 2 Corinthians 12:20 is a profound expression of a true shepherd's heart burdened by the spiritual fragility of his flock. It reveals his pastoral commitment: he wishes to meet them with encouragement and joy, not with stern discipline. Yet, his fear is palpable—not a fear for his personal safety, but a spiritual dread of encountering unrepentant, fleshly behaviors that would necessitate sorrowful intervention. The detailed list of eight vices encapsulates the pervasive spiritual diseases in the Corinthian church: from outward manifestations of disharmony like "quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility" that tear at communal fabric, to more subtle, insidious forms of destructive communication like "slander and gossip," and culminating in the deeply rooted attitudes of "conceit" and the inevitable "disorder" these produce. This list underscores the church's failure to mature beyond carnal behavior. Paul's apprehension stems from his prior experiences with their contentiousness (1 Corinthians), his understanding of his apostolic mandate to maintain order, and his desire for their genuine spiritual flourishing. He implicitly calls them to examine themselves and repent before his arrival, offering them an opportunity to prevent a confrontation where they would "find him as you do not wish," necessitating a display of his God-given authority for correction and restoration, rather than joyful communion.