THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS - Chapter 12 - Verse 20

Verse 20. For I fear, lest, when I come. 2 Co 12:14.

I shall not find you such as I would. That is, walking in the truth and order of the gospel, he had feared that the disorders would not be removed, and that they would not have corrected the errors which prevailed, and for which he had rebuked them. It was on this account that he had said so much to them. His desire was that all these disorders might be removed, and that he might be saved from the necessity of exercising severe discipline when he should come among them.

And that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not. That is, that I shall be compelled to administer discipline, and that my visit may not be as pleasant to you as you would desire. For this reason he wished all disorder corrected, and all offences removed; that everything might be pleasant when he should come. See 1 Co 4:21. See Barnes "2 Co 10:2".

Lest there be debates. I fear that there may be existing there debates, etc., which will require the interposition of the authority of an apostle. On the meaning of the word debate, see See Barnes "Ro 1:29".

Envyings. See Barnes "1 Co 3:3".

Wraths. Anger or animosities between contending factions, the usual effect of forming parties.

Strifes. Between contending factions. See Barnes "1 Co 3:3".

Backbitings. See Barnes "Ro 1:30".

Whisperings. See Barnes "Ro 1:29".

Swellings. Undue elation; being puffed up, See Barnes "2 Co 8:1; 1 Co 4:6,18,19; 5:2; such as would be produced by vain self-confidence.

Tumults. Disorder and confusion arising from this existence of parties. Paul, deeply sensible of the evil of all this, had endeavoured in this correspondence to suppress it, that all things might be pleasant when he should come among them.

{d} "when I come" 1 Co 4:21; 2 Co 13:2,10

{+} "debates" "contentions"