2 Corinthians 12:20-21 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:11-21

In these verses the apostle addresses himself to the Corinthians two ways:? I. He blames them for what was faulty in them; namely, that they had not stood up in his defence as they ought to have done, and so made it the more needful for him to insist so much on his own vindication. They in manner compelled him to commend himself, who ought to have been commended of them 2 Cor. 12:11. And had they, or some among them, not failed on their part, it would have been less needful for him to have... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:19-21

12:19-21 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 am afraid, in case, when I come, I may find you not such as I wish that you should be, and that I should be found by you not such as you wish me to be. I am afraid that, when I come, there may be amongst you strife, envy, outbursts of anger, the factious spirit, slanderings,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:20

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 life and manners, zealous for God, Christ, and the Gospel, and hearty lovers of one another: and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not ; sharp in his reproofs and admonitions, severe in his corrections and censures, and lawfully using the authority he had from Christ, to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:21

And lest when I come again ,.... Another thing which he feared would be the case when he came again to them, that he himself should be afflicted and distressed, seeing them in a disorderly and dissolute course of life, be obliged to punish them, which would be an humiliation and matter of grief to him: my God will humble me ; instead of rejoicing in the fruit of his labours, that they were not in vain, he signifies that he should have great sorrow of heart; and whereas he had promised... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:20

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 to his former purposes, and why he sent Titus and his companion. He was afraid to come at that time lest he should have found them perverted from the right way, and he be obliged to make use of his apostolical rod, and punish the offenders; but, feeling towards them the heart of a tender father, he was unwilling to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:21

Lest, when I come again - And even after all that has been done for you, I fear that when I do come - when I pay you my second visit, my God will humble me - will permit me to be affected with deep sorrow through what I may see among you; as I have been by the buffetings of the apostle of Satan, who has perverted you. Humiliation is repeatedly used for affliction, and here ταπεινωσῃ has certainly that meaning. Have sinned already - Προημαρτηκοτων· Who have sinned before; who were... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:20

Verse 20 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 loosened reins. Now respect for him would have been a means of leading them to repentance, for they would have listened to his admonitions. I fear, says he. This fear proceeded from love, for, unless he had been concerned as to their welfare, he would very readily have overlooked all this,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 12:21

Verse 21 21.Lest, when I come, my God should humble me His abasement was reckoned to him as a fault. The blame of it he throws back upon the Corinthians, who, when they should have honored his Apostleship, loaded it, on the contrary, with disgrace; for their proficiency (941) would have been the glory and honor of Paul’s Apostleship. When, therefore, they were, instead of this, overrun with many vices, they heaped disgrace upon him to the utmost of their power. He does not, indeed, charge them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 12:1-21