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George Haydock's Catholic Commentary

2 Corinthians 12:20,21

He puts them in mind to be all of them reformed, to lay aside animosities, dissensions, swellings, [3] proceeding from pride, uncleanness, fornication, &c. which indeed will be a humiliation and trouble to him, to be forced to use his power by severities; for if he find them such as he would not, they will also find him such as they would not. (Witham) --- Greek: Ton me metanoesanton. This, according to St. Augustine, is spoken here of doing great penance for heinous sins, and not merely of repentance, as some moderns would fain interpret it. (ep. 198.)

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See also 2 Corinthians 12:20,21 in other biblical comments:

  • A Textual Commentary On The Greek New Testament by Bruce M. Metzger

    2 CORINTHIANS 12:20 e;rij In many witnesses the singular number e;rij (î46 a A 33 1611 1739 2005 syrp arm) has been changed to e;reij (B D F G K L P Y...

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse 20. _I FEAR, LEST, WHEN I COME_] I think the _present time_ is used here for the _past_; the apostle seems most evidently to be giving them the _reason_ why he _had not come_ to them according...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    FOR I FEAR, LEST, WHEN I COME - see 2 Corinthians 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 rem...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    3. REVELATION IN WHICH HE MIGHT GLORY. HIS APOSTLESHIP. CHAPTER 12 _ 1. Caught up to the Third Heaven. (2 Corinthians 12:1)_ 2. The Thorn in the Flesh. (2 Corinthians 12:7) 3. The Marks of His Apos...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    RETROSPECT OF THE BOASTING. This paragraph is marked by rapid oscillation of feeling. Now that he has made and proved his claim, the same doubt seizes him as when he began (2 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Corin...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    You have been thinking for a long time that it is to you that we have been making our defence. It is before God, in Christ, that we speak. All that we have said, beloved, is for your upbuilding, for I...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    THE THORN AND THE GRACE (2 Corinthians 12:1-10)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    LEST. lest in any way. Greek. _me pos._ WOULD. wish. Greek. _thelo._ App-102. DEBATES. Greek. _eris,_ strife. See Romans 1:29. ENVYINGS. jealousies. Greek. zelos. See Acts 5:17. WRATHS. Greek. _thu...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _For_ The connection of thought is, -I do this for your edification, of which there is much need, for there are many disorders among you." _such as ye would not_ "He here completely and finally throws...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ἜΡΙΣ (אA, 17, 39, d f g Arm., Chrys.) rather than ἔρεις (BDFGKLP, Vulg. Copt.): also ζῆλος (ABDFG 17, 39, Arm.) rather than ζῆλοι (אD2D3KLP, Latt.). In Galatians 5:20 the balance is decidedly for ἔρις...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    19–21. He is not on his defence before the Corinthians: to God alone is he responsible. But all he says is for the good of the Corinthians, that a thorough reformation may take place before he comes....

  • Charles Box Commentaries

    _ PAUL'S CONCERN FOR CORINTH 2 CORINTHIANS 12:14-21:_ Paul planned a third visit to Corinth. Even then he did not want to be a burden to them. He said, "What I really want is you, and not what you hav...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΦΟΒΟΎΜΑΙ (G5399) _praes. ind. med. (dep.)_ бояться, быть испуганным, ΜΉ ΠΩΣ (G3361; G4458) чтобы не, никоим образом. Об использовании этих слов с гл. опасения _см._ RG, 99; SMT, 95. С последующим _co...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    LEST THERE BE—ENVYINGS, &C.— All these were the natural consequences of those _debates_ which had arisen among them; and therefore St. Paul, in a very judicious manner, gives this solemn warning with...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    APPLEBURY'S COMMENTS _Paul's Intended Visit Scripture_ 2 Corinthians 12:14-21. Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be a burden to you: for I seek not yours, but y...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    BUTLER'S COMMENTARY SECTION 3 Weakness in Behavior (2 Corinthians 12:19-21) 19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves before you? It is in the sight of God that we ha...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    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, whispering...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    14 What a fund of fatherly affection is revealed in his protest, "I am not seeking _ yours _ but _ you_!" And it must have humbled them to think of their own lack of care and consideration. They deser...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    HIS PRIVILEGES AND TRIALS The Apostle unwillingly resumes his boasting and tells of a revelation he received from God; but returns again to dwell on his weaknesses, and especially on his bodily infir...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    GOD SHOWS HIS POWER WHEN WE ARE WEAK 2 CORINTHIANS _PHILIP SMITH_ CHAPTER 12 V1 It is not good to be proud. But I need to tell you about *visions and *revelations of the *Lord. V2 I know a man in...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    FOR I FEAR, LEST, WHEN I COME... — Something of the old anxiety which had led him to postpone his visit (2 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 4:21) comes back upon his spirit. He and some of those Corint...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 27 NOT YOURS, BUT YOU. 2 Corinthians 12:11 (R.V) EXPOSITORS differ widely in characterising the three or four brief paragraphs into which this passage may be divided: (1) 2 Corinthians 12:...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    φοβοῦμαι γὰρ κ. τ. λ.: _for I fear lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not, i.e._, indignant to severity at their...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    HIS GLORYING HAS NOT BEEN BY WAY OF APOLOGY, BUT TO EDIFY THEM UNTO REPENTANCE....

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    “I SEEK NOT YOURS, BUT YOU” 2 Corinthians 12:11 “The long burst of passionate self-vindication has now at last expended itself,” says Dean Stanley, and Paul returns to the point whence he diverged at...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    The boasting continues. However, it takes on a new and startling characteristic. In his apostleship there had been something supernatural, something not to be finally explained. Of this, he will glory...

  • Gary Hampton Commentaries

    VERSE 20 Paul had worked with them and written to them so they would put away sin. He hoped he would not find them still in it when he arrived. If they were in sin, which he did not want, he would dis...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    (8) 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, whi...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    2 Corinthians 1:1-24. It is impossible to read the two epistles to the Corinthians with the smallest care without perceiving the strong contrast between the wounded tone of the first epistle (the hear...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    20._For I fear _He declares, in what way it tends to their edification, that his integrity should be vindicated, for, on the ground that he had _come _into contempt, many grew wanton, as it were, with...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    Nevertheless, though forced to speak of himself, the apostle would glory only in his infirmities. But he is, as it were, outside his natural work. His past life unfolds before his eyes. The Corinthian...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    FOR I FEAR LEST WHEN I COME,.... This fear arose from his fatherly affection for them, and care of them: I SHALL NOT FIND YOU SUCH AS I WOULD; truly penitent for former sins, thoroughly reformed in l...

  • John Trapp Complete 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, whisper...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves_ That I say all this to insinuate myself into your esteem for any secular ends? _We speak before God in Christ_ As if he had said, I have a higher end in view...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    SUCH AS YE WOULD NOT; lest he should be obliged to rebuke them for their sins, and administer severe discipline in order to bring them to repentance and reformation, and to save the church from the co...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    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,...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    Paul hopes for an edifying repentance on the part of the Corinthians:...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    If in chapter 11 we have seen God's grace in sustaining the vessel through all adversity, Paul now speaks of the other side of this, the grace which gives unspeakable blessedness in being "caught up...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    11-21 We owe it to good men, to stand up in the defence of their reputation; and we are under special obligations to those from whom we have received benefit, especially spiritual benefit, to own the...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    FOR I FEAR, LEST, WHEN I COME, I SHALL NOT FIND YOU SUCH AS I WOULD; a good man, especially a faithful minister of the gospel, will be concerned at the sins of others, and as to their spiritual welfar...

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    For I fear, lest by any means, when I come, I should find you not such as I would, and should myself be found of you such as ye would not; lest by any means there should be strife [1 Corinthians 6:7],...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    2 Corinthians 12:20 For G1063 fear G5399 (G5736) lest G3381 G4458 come G2064 (G5631) shall G2147 not

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    HIS FINAL WAKE UP CALL (2 CORINTHIANS 12:19) ‘You think all this time that we are excusing ourselves to you. In the sight of God speak we in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.' D...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    2 Corinthians 12:20. FOR I FEAR, LEST BY ANY MEANS, WHEN I COME, I SHOULD FIND YOU NOT SUCH AS I WOULD, AND SHOULD MYSELF BE FOUND OF YOU SUCH AS YE WOULD NOT lest my visit should be pleasant to neith...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    LEST BY ANY MEANS, WHEN I COME, I SHOULD FIND YOU NOT SUCH AS I WOULD (μη πως ελθων ουχ οιους θελω ευρω υμας). An idiomatic construction after the verb of fearing (φοβουμα) with μη πως as the conju...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: God's dealing with Paul. CHARACTERS: God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Paul, Titus, Satan. CONCLUSION: The exalted experiences of the Spirit-filled Christian overbalance all he is called upon to be...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    2 Corinthians 12:1. _It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord._ To disclosures of the divine pleasure, which cannot be known by any researches...

  • The Bible Study New Testament

    I AM AFRAID. "This is why I have defended myself. You must be helped! I am afraid that when I come, I will still find you living in the old way of sin!...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    2 CORINTHIANS—NOTE ON 2 CORINTHIANS 12:20 FIND YOU NOT AS I WISH. That is, still unrepentant, rebellious, and continuing in their sinful lifestyles. All of these would indicate that they are not genui...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    CHAPTER 12 SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER i. That the Corinthians may esteem him above the false apostles, he describes his being carried up into the third heaven. II. He goes on to say (ver. 7) that to p...

  • The Great Commentary of Cornelius à Lapide

    _I fear_... _lest there be wraths_. _θυμός_ with the Greeks that part of the mind which is called the irascible faculty, placed by Plato in the heart, and opposed to reason, which has for its seat the...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ (_No break, except that of a new paragraph_.) 2 Corinthians 12:1.—Note _reading;_ probably, as in R.V. Remember how full is Paul’s sense of “_expedient_” (1 Corinthians 6:12;...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION The revelations vouchsafed to him (2 Corinthians 12:1). The counteracting "thorn in the flesh" (2 Corinthians 12:7). One more apology for glorying (2 Corinthians 12:11

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    It is not expedient [necessary] for me doubtless to glory. [But] I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above [about] fourteen years ago (2 Corinthians 12:1-2), Or...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Corinthians 1:11; 1 Corinthians 11:16; 1 Corinthians 14:36; 1 Corinthians 14:37;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Strifes [ε ρ ι θ ε ι α ι]. Rev., better, factions. See on James 3:14. Wraths [θ υ μ ο ι] For the plural, compare deaths, ch. 11 33; drunkennesses, Galatians 5:21; bloods, John 1:13 (see note); the wil...

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