2 Corinthians 12:20

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 off the apologist and puts on the Apostle." Alford. He will rule by love rather than by fear, if possible. But if it be notpossible, in the last resource he must use his Apostolic power. See notes on ch. 2Co 10:8; 2 Corinthians 10:11.

debates Rather, strifes. The word debate, however, derived from the French débattre, had, like the French débat, a stronger meaning than it has now. So Shakespeare, K. Hen. IV. Pt II. Act iv. Scene iv.:

"Now, lords, if Heaven doth give successful end

To this debatethat bleedeth at our doors."

envyings See note on ch. 2 Corinthians 7:7.

strifes Our translators have been misled by an apparent similarity between this word and that rendered debatesabove. It is derived from a word signifying a hired labourer, and may either mean (1) party spirit, (2) personal aimsin public life, in which sense Aristotle seems to have used the word in his Politics, and hence (3) self-seekingin general, and (4) faction. The word occurs in Romans 2:8; Galatians 5:20; Philippians 1:16; Philippians 2:3; James 3:14; James 3:16.

backbitings, whisperings "Open slanders, secret revilings." Alford. Wiclif renders detracciouns, privie spechis of discord. He is followed by the Rhemish in the rendering detractions. Tyndale, Cranmer and the Geneva render as A. V. See 1 Peter 2:1 for the first word, which is there rendered evil speakings. Its literal meaning is speakings against, but no idea of secrecy is implied, as in our version, but rather the contrary. Whisperings, on the other hand, imply secrecy as a matter of course.

swellings Rather, puffings up (Wiclif, well, bolnyngis in pride). See 1 Corinthians 4:6; 1 Corinthians 4:18-19. The word and its cognates occur only in these two Epistles and in Colossians 2:18.

tumults See ch. 2 Corinthians 6:5.