2 Corinthians 12:21 kjv
And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
2 Corinthians 12:21 nkjv
lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.
2 Corinthians 12:21 niv
I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged.
2 Corinthians 12:21 esv
I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.
2 Corinthians 12:21 nlt
Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure.
2 Corinthians 12 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 12:21 | lest, when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I shall mourn over many who sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, impurity, and licentiousness which they practiced. | Anticipatory warning of consequences |
| 2 Cor 2:1 | But I determined this for myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. | Previous decision for avoidance |
| 2 Cor 2:4 | For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the abundance of love which I have for you. | Author's emotional state |
| Gal 6:1 | Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Consider yourself, lest you also be tempted. | Guidance for restoration |
| Eph 5:11 | Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. | Command to expose sin |
| 1 Cor 5:2 | And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to have mourned? Let him who did this deed be removed from your midst. | Previous instance of laxity |
| 1 Cor 5:5 | deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. | Dealing with persistent sin |
| Jude 1:23 | save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. | Godly fear in handling sin |
| Matt 18:15 | If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. | Restorative discipline |
| Matt 18:17 | If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. | Church discipline |
| Rom 11:22 | Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity on those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. | God's severity and kindness |
| 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 by it many become defiled. | Warning against bitterness |
| Prov 14:30 | A tranquil heart gives life to the body, but envy makes the bones rot. | Emotional well-being |
| Prov 13:12 | Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. | Consequence of unresolved issues |
| 2 Thes 3:14 | If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, do not associate with him, to keep him from shame. | Association with disobedience |
| 1 Cor 4:21 | What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness? | Author's authority |
| Titus 1:13 | Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, | Sharper rebuke for soundness |
| Acts 20:31 | therefore be watchful, and remember that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish each of you with tears. | Pastoral diligence |
| Rev 2:5 | Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the first works. If not, I will come to you and remove the lampstand from its place, unless you repent. | Consequences of unfaithfulness |
| Col 2:23 | Though they have such a reputation for wisdom in self-invented religion and asceticism and severity toward the body, they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh. | False spirituality |
2 Corinthians 12 verses
2 Corinthians 12 21 Meaning
This verse signifies the potential for continued unrest, division, and sorrow among the Corinthian believers if reconciliation and proper conduct do not prevail. Paul expresses his fear that his prior visit may have caused pain and that future interactions could lead to further distress, lamentation, and even instances of unrepentant sin and disgrace within the community.
2 Corinthians 12 21 Context
Second Corinthians chapter 12 concludes a section where Paul is defending his apostolic authority, primarily by recounting his extraordinary visions and revelations. However, he contrasts these with his weaknesses and suffering, demonstrating that God's power is made perfect in human frailty. Chapter 12:21 directly follows this defense and immediately precedes his expression of concern for the Corinthian church as he anticipates his next visit. The mention of "uncleanness, impurity, and licentiousness" strongly echoes the specific sin problem addressed earlier in 1 Corinthians chapter 5, particularly the case of a man engaging in sexual immorality with his father's wife. Paul fears that despite his previous corrections, some within the Corinthian community have not repented, leading to further sorrow for him and potential shame for the church if this sin continues unaddressed.
2 Corinthians 12 21 Word Analysis
- lest (hina me): A conjunction introducing a negative purpose or a consequence to be avoided. It signifies Paul's intention to prevent a negative outcome.
- when I come again (otan palin eltho): "Palin" emphasizes a return visit. This indicates a pre-existing relationship and past visits to Corinth, the most recent of which apparently caused some distress, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 2:1.
- my God (mou ho theos): "Mou" is the possessive pronoun, indicating a personal relationship with God. "Ho theos" is the definite article with "theos," emphasizing God's deity. Paul sees his relation to God as the ultimate authority and source of his mission.
- will humble me (tapeinosē me): "Tapeinoō" means to bring low, abase, or humiliate. Paul fears a situation where God might use the spiritual condition of the Corinthians to bring him to a place of sorrowful self-assessment and perhaps even rebuke for his inability to bring about complete repentance. It is a humble submission to God's sovereign, albeit painful, working.
- before you (en hymin): This means "among you" or "in your presence." It highlights the public nature of the potential humbling.
- and I shall mourn (kai penthesō): "Pentheō" signifies deep grief, to lament, or mourn, especially for the dead or for serious loss. This expresses a profound emotional and spiritual sorrow.
- over many (epi pollōn): Indicating a significant number within the congregation, not just isolated individuals.
- who sinned before (tōn proēmartēkotōn): "Proēmartēkotōn" is a perfect participle, meaning "who have sinned beforehand" or "who previously sinned." This refers to sins committed before Paul's planned arrival and likely relates to the sins previously addressed in 1 Corinthians.
- and have not repented (kai mē metanoēsantōn): "Mē metanoēsantōn" is a negative genitive participle in the perfect tense, underscoring the continuous or persistent state of non-repentance. Repentance (metanoia) implies a change of mind and heart, leading to a change in direction.
- of the uncleanness, impurity, and licentiousness (tēs akatharsias tēs aei porneiās kai aselgeias):
- Akatharsias (akatharsias): "Uncleanness" or "defilement." It speaks of general impurity, ceremonial or moral.
- Porneiās (porneiās): "Fornication" or "sexual immorality." This is a strong term for illicit sexual relations, often including adultery, incest, and premarital sex. It is directly related to the specific case in 1 Corinthians 5.
- Aselgeias (aselgeias): "Licentiousness," "debauchery," or "lasciviousness." It describes unrestrained, immodest, and often obscene behavior, a flagrant disregard for propriety and moral standards.
- Grouping of sins: The clustering of these terms emphasizes the pervasive and serious nature of the unrepentant sin within the Corinthian community. This reflects the societal norms and challenges faced by the early church in a Gentile culture.
2 Corinthians 12 21 Bonus Section
The fear expressed here by Paul ("my God will humble me before you") is not a fear of punishment from God, but rather a deep apprehension of witnessing the effects of God's holiness and justice confronting sin within the church, a situation that would deeply sadden and weigh upon him. This verse is a testament to the personal investment and emotional toll of pastoral ministry. It also reflects an understanding that while God offers grace, He also holds believers accountable, and the absence of repentance leads to spiritual sorrow and potential judgment. Paul’s humility here is striking; he considers how God’s dealings with the Corinthian church could impact his own spiritual perception and sorrow. This sentiment echoes the humility of Christ Himself, who wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41).
2 Corinthians 12 21 Commentary
Paul's apprehension stems from a deep pastoral concern. He is not threatening the Corinthians but expressing a genuine fear that if the entrenched sin he previously addressed (likely the incestuous relationship in 1 Corinthians 5) is not truly repented of, his next visit could be met with divine judgment that would bring him, as a spiritual father, profound grief. He foresees a scenario where God might confront him with the continued defilement within the church, leading him to mourn over those who have persisted in their uncleanness, impurity, and licentiousness without genuine repentance. This underscores the apostle's sensitivity to spiritual matters and his desire for the complete spiritual well-being and purity of the churches he serves. His fear is not of personal harm but of spiritual fruitlessness and the sorrow of witnessing unrepentant sin causing division and shame.