2 Corinthians 12:20
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:
Original Language Analysis
φοβοῦμαι
I fear
G5399
φοβοῦμαι
I fear
Strong's:
G5399
Word #:
1 of 24
to frighten, i.e., (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy, to be in awe of, i.e., revere
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 24
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
ἐλθὼν
when I come
G2064
ἐλθὼν
when I come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
4 of 24
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
οἷον
such as
G3634
οἷον
such as
Strong's:
G3634
Word #:
6 of 24
such or what sort of (as a correlation or exclamation); especially the neuter (adverbially) with negative, not so
θέλετε·
I would
G2309
θέλετε·
I would
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
7 of 24
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
κἀγὼ
and that I
G2504
κἀγὼ
and that I
Strong's:
G2504
Word #:
10 of 24
so also the dative case ????? <pronunciation strongs="kam-oy'"/>, and accusative case ???? <pronunciation strongs="kam-eh'"/> and (or also, even, etc.
οἷον
such as
G3634
οἷον
such as
Strong's:
G3634
Word #:
13 of 24
such or what sort of (as a correlation or exclamation); especially the neuter (adverbially) with negative, not so
θέλετε·
I would
G2309
θέλετε·
I would
Strong's:
G2309
Word #:
15 of 24
to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),
ζῆλοι,
envyings
G2205
ζῆλοι,
envyings
Strong's:
G2205
Word #:
18 of 24
properly, heat, i.e., (figuratively) "zeal" (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband (figuratively, of god), or
ἐριθείαι
strifes
G2052
ἐριθείαι
strifes
Strong's:
G2052
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, intrigue, i.e., (by implication) faction
Cross References
1 Peter 2:1Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,Romans 1:29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,1 Corinthians 1:11For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.Galatians 5:15But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.Proverbs 16:28A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.2 Corinthians 12:21And 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.Jude 1:16These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
Historical Context
The Corinthian church struggled with division from its founding (1 Corinthians 1:10-17, 3:1-9). Despite Paul's severe letter and Titus's mission producing some repentance (7:8-11), deep-seated relational dysfunction persisted. Paul's catalog of sins (especially speech-related: backbiting, whispering, gossip) suggests the congregation remained fractious, gossipy, and proud—precisely the soil where false apostles thrived.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Paul's fear of mutual disappointment ("not finding you as I would / being found as you would not") model honest pastoral expectations versus naive optimism?
- Why are six of the eight vices speech-related sins (debates, backbitings, whisperings, etc.)—what does this reveal about how relational dysfunction manifests?
- What does Paul's willingness to be "such as ye would not" (stern, disciplining) teach about pastoral courage to confront sin despite losing popularity?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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: Paul voices pastoral anxiety about his upcoming third visit: mutual disappointment. I shall not find you such as I would—he fears finding them unchanged, still embracing false teaching and tolerating sin. Conversely, I shall be found unto you such as ye would not—they fear finding him stern, exercising apostolic discipline (13:2, "I will not spare") rather than the permissive teacher they prefer.
The vice catalog is devastating: eris (ἔρις, "debates," quarrels), zēlos (ζῆλος, "envyings," jealousies), thymoi (θυμοί, "wraths," outbursts of anger), eritheiai (ἐριθεῖαι, "strifes," selfish ambitions), katalalalai (καταλαλιαί, "backbitings," slander), psithyrismoi (ψιθυρισμοί, "whisperings," gossip), physioseis (φυσιώσεις, "swellings," arrogance), akatastasiai (ἀκαταστασίαι, "tumults," disorder). Eight relational sins—primarily speech sins (debates, backbitings, whisperings) and pride sins (envyings, swellings).
This list diagnoses the Corinthian church's ongoing dysfunction: they haven't resolved the factionalism from 1 Corinthians 1-4. Paul's fear is legitimate—without repentance, his third visit will require painful discipline instead of joyful fellowship.