2 corinthians 12:20 - For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;
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What does "2 corinthians 12:20" mean?
This verse, 2 Corinthians 12:20, is Paul expressing his deep concern about the state of the Corinthian church. He's worried that when he visits them again, he will find them embroiled in destructive behaviors. Let's break down the meaning:
"For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to...": Paul is concerned that upon his arrival, he will discover the Corinthians are not living according to the principles of Christ and his teachings. He's hoping to find a unified, loving community, but fears the opposite.
"...and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire;": This suggests Paul fears that the Corinthians may also find him, when he arrives, to be acting in a way they might dislike. This could mean he might have to exercise his authority and discipline them, something he wouldn't relish but might be necessary.
"...that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;": This is a list of the specific problems plaguing the Corinthian church. Paul fears finding these sins rampant among them:
Strife: Quarrels, discord, and disagreements.
Jealousy: Envy of others' possessions, status, or abilities.
Outbursts of anger: Uncontrolled displays of temper and rage.
Factions: Divisions and cliques within the church, creating disunity.
Slander: False and malicious statements designed to damage someone's reputation.
Whisperings: Secret complaints and gossip, undermining trust.
Proud thoughts: Arrogance and inflated self-importance.
Riots: Disruptive and uncontrolled public disturbances.
In essence, Paul's fear is that:
He will arrive to find the Corinthian church plagued by division, sin, and a lack of love and humility. He also worries that his response to these issues, potentially involving discipline, will be unpleasant for them. He desires a healthy, unified church, but fears finding a congregation torn apart by these destructive behaviors.
Context is Key:
To fully understand this verse, remember the context of 2 Corinthians. Paul had previously written to the Corinthians (at least one letter we know of - 1 Corinthians - and possibly more). In that letter, he addressed various problems in the church. However, it seems that some of these problems persisted or even worsened. Some in the church were challenging Paul's authority and engaging in behaviors contrary to Christian living.
This verse is a heartfelt expression of Paul's concern and his desire for the Corinthians to repent and live in unity and love before his arrival. It underscores the importance of humility, love, and unity within the Christian community.
2 corinthians 12:20 - For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;
What does "2 corinthians 12:20" mean?
This verse, 2 Corinthians 12:20, is Paul expressing his deep concern about the state of the Corinthian church. He's worried that when he visits them again, he will find them embroiled in destructive behaviors. Let's break down the meaning:
"For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to...": Paul is concerned that upon his arrival, he will discover the Corinthians are not living according to the principles of Christ and his teachings. He's hoping to find a unified, loving community, but fears the opposite.
"...and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire;": This suggests Paul fears that the Corinthians may also find him, when he arrives, to be acting in a way they might dislike. This could mean he might have to exercise his authority and discipline them, something he wouldn't relish but might be necessary.
"...that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;": This is a list of the specific problems plaguing the Corinthian church. Paul fears finding these sins rampant among them:
Strife: Quarrels, discord, and disagreements.
Jealousy: Envy of others' possessions, status, or abilities.
Outbursts of anger: Uncontrolled displays of temper and rage.
Factions: Divisions and cliques within the church, creating disunity.
Slander: False and malicious statements designed to damage someone's reputation.
Whisperings: Secret complaints and gossip, undermining trust.
Proud thoughts: Arrogance and inflated self-importance.
Riots: Disruptive and uncontrolled public disturbances.
In essence, Paul's fear is that:
He will arrive to find the Corinthian church plagued by division, sin, and a lack of love and humility. He also worries that his response to these issues, potentially involving discipline, will be unpleasant for them. He desires a healthy, unified church, but fears finding a congregation torn apart by these destructive behaviors.
Context is Key:
To fully understand this verse, remember the context of 2 Corinthians. Paul had previously written to the Corinthians (at least one letter we know of - 1 Corinthians - and possibly more). In that letter, he addressed various problems in the church. However, it seems that some of these problems persisted or even worsened. Some in the church were challenging Paul's authority and engaging in behaviors contrary to Christian living.
This verse is a heartfelt expression of Paul's concern and his desire for the Corinthians to repent and live in unity and love before his arrival. It underscores the importance of humility, love, and unity within the Christian community.