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2 Corinthians 12:20

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps [there will be] strife, jealousy, angry tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances;
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— 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, swellings, tumults:
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— 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, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults;
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— 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, jealousy, wraths, factions, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults;
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and [that] I shall be found by you such as ye would not: lest [there be] debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— For I fear lest perhaps coming I find you not such as I wish, and that *I* be found by you such as ye do not wish: lest [there might be] strifes, jealousies, angers, contentions, evil speakings, whisperings, puffings up, disturbances;
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— For I fear—lest, by any means, when I come, not such as I wish, should I find you, and, I, should be found by you, such as ye do not wish;—lest, by any means, [I should find] strife, jealousy, outbursts of wrath, factions, railings, whisperings, puffed up pretensions, confusions;—
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— for I fear lest, having come, not such as I wish I may find you, and I—I may be found by you such as ye do not wish, lest there be strifes, envyings, wraths, revelries, evil-speakings, whisperings, puffings up, insurrections,
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— For I fear lest perhaps, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found by you such as you would not. Lest perhaps contentions, envyings, animosities, dissensions, detractions, whisperings, swellings, seditions, be among you.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— For I feare least when I come, I shall not finde you such as I would: and that I shalbe found vnto you such as ye woulde not, and least there be strife, enuying, wrath, contentions, backebitings, whisperings, swellings and discord.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— For I feare lest when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall bee found vnto you such as ye would not, lest there bee debates, enuyings, wraths, strifes, backebitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults,
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— For I fear, lest when I come to you, I shall not find you such as I wish to find you, and that you also will not find me as you wish to find me, lest there be controversies, envyings, angers, stubbornness, accusations, slanderings, boastings and disorders.
John Etheridge Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1849)
— For I fear lest, when I come to you, I should not find you as I wish, but should find you what you would not wish: lest there be contention and envy, and wrath and angry talk, and accusations and murmurings, and pompousness and agitation:
James Murdock Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1852)
— For I fear, lest I should come to you and not find you such as I would wish; and lest I also should be found by you, such as ye would not wish; lest [there should be] contention, and envying, and anger, and obstinacy, and slandering, and murmuring, and insolence, and commotion;

Strong's Numbers & Red-LettersGreek New TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
For 1063
{1063} Prime
γάρ
gar
{gar}
A primary particle; properly assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles).
I fear, 5399
{5399} Prime
φοβέω
phobeo
{fob-eh'-o}
From G5401; to frighten, that is, (passively) to be alarmed; by analogy to be in awe of, that is, revere.
z5736
<5736> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - Middle or Passive Deponent (See G5790)
Mood - Indicative (See G5791)
Count - 618
lest, 3381
{3381} Prime
μήπως
mepos
{may'-pos}
From G3361 and G4458; lest somehow.
y4458
[4458] Standard
-πώς
-pos
{poce}
Adverb from the base of G4225; an enclitic particle of indefiniteness of manner; somehow or anyhow; used only in compounds.
when I come, 2064
{2064} Prime
ἔρχομαι
erchomai
{er'-khom-ahee}
Middle voice of a primary verb (used only in the present and imperfect tenses, the others being supplied by a kindred [middle voice] word, ἐλεύθομαι [[eleuthomai]], {el-yoo'-thom-ahee}; or [active] ἔλθω [[eltho]], {el'-tho}; which do not otherwise occur); to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively).
z5631
<5631> Grammar
Tense - Second Aorist (See G5780)
Voice - Active (See G5784)
Mood - Participle (See G5796)
Count - 889
I shall y2147
[2147] Standard
εὑρίσκω
heurisko
{hyoo-ris'-ko}
A prolonged form of a primary word εὕρω [[heuro]], {hyoo'-ro}; which (together with another cognate form, εὑρέω [[heureo]], {hyoo-reh'-o}) is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect; to find (literally or figuratively).
z0
<0000> Grammar
The original word in the Greek or Hebrew is translated by more than one word in the English. The English translation is separated by one or more other words from the original.
not 3756
{3756} Prime
οὐ
ou
{oo}
A primary word; the absolutely negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not.
find 2147
{2147} Prime
εὑρίσκω
heurisko
{hyoo-ris'-ko}
A prolonged form of a primary word εὕρω [[heuro]], {hyoo'-ro}; which (together with another cognate form, εὑρέω [[heureo]], {hyoo-reh'-o}) is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect; to find (literally or figuratively).
z5632
<5632> Grammar
Tense - Second Aorist (See G5780)
Voice - Active (See G5784)
Mood - Subjunctive (See G5792)
Count - 449
you 5209
{5209} Prime
ὑμᾶς
humas
{hoo-mas'}
Accusative of G5210; you (as the object of a verb or preposition).
such x3634
(3634) Complement
οἷος
hoios
{hoy'-os}
Probably akin to G3588, G3739, and G3745; such or what sort of (as a correlation or exclamation); especially the neuter (adverb) with the negative not so.
as y3634
[3634] Standard
οἷος
hoios
{hoy'-os}
Probably akin to G3588, G3739, and G3745; such or what sort of (as a correlation or exclamation); especially the neuter (adverb) with the negative not so.
I would, 2309
{2309} Prime
θέλω
thelo
{thel'-o}
In certain tenses θελέω [[theleo]], {thel-eh'-o}; and ἐθέλέω [[etheleo]], {eth-el-eh'-o}, which are otherwise obsolete; apparently strengthened from the alternate form of G0138; to determine (as an active voice option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 properly denotes rather a passive voice acquiescence in objective considerations), that is, choose or prefer (literally or figuratively); by implication to wish, that is, be inclined to (sometimes adverbially gladly); impersonally for the future tense, to be about to; by Hebraism to delight in.
z5719
<5719> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - Active (See G5784)
Mood - Indicative (See G5791)
Count - 3019
and [that] I 2504
{2504} Prime
κἀγώ
kago
{kag-o'}
So also the dative (second form) and accusative (third form); from G2532 and G1473; and (or also, even, etc.) I, (to) me.
shall be found 2147
{2147} Prime
εὑρίσκω
heurisko
{hyoo-ris'-ko}
A prolonged form of a primary word εὕρω [[heuro]], {hyoo'-ro}; which (together with another cognate form, εὑρέω [[heureo]], {hyoo-reh'-o}) is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect; to find (literally or figuratively).
z5686
<5686> Grammar
Tense - Aorist (See G5777)
Voice - Passive (See G5786)
Mood - Subjunctive (See G5792)
Count - 219
unto you 5213
{5213} Prime
ὑμῖν
humin
{hoo-min'}
Irregular dative case of G5210; to (with or by) you.
such as 3634
{3634} Prime
οἷος
hoios
{hoy'-os}
Probably akin to G3588, G3739, and G3745; such or what sort of (as a correlation or exclamation); especially the neuter (adverb) with the negative not so.
ye would 2309
{2309} Prime
θέλω
thelo
{thel'-o}
In certain tenses θελέω [[theleo]], {thel-eh'-o}; and ἐθέλέω [[etheleo]], {eth-el-eh'-o}, which are otherwise obsolete; apparently strengthened from the alternate form of G0138; to determine (as an active voice option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 properly denotes rather a passive voice acquiescence in objective considerations), that is, choose or prefer (literally or figuratively); by implication to wish, that is, be inclined to (sometimes adverbially gladly); impersonally for the future tense, to be about to; by Hebraism to delight in.
z5719
<5719> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - Active (See G5784)
Mood - Indicative (See G5791)
Count - 3019
not: 3756
{3756} Prime
οὐ
ou
{oo}
A primary word; the absolutely negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not.
lest 3381
{3381} Prime
μήπως
mepos
{may'-pos}
From G3361 and G4458; lest somehow.
y4458
[4458] Standard
-πώς
-pos
{poce}
Adverb from the base of G4225; an enclitic particle of indefiniteness of manner; somehow or anyhow; used only in compounds.
[there be] debates, 2054
{2054} Prime
ἔρις
eris
{er'-is}
Of uncertain affinity; a quarrel, that is, (by implication) wrangling.
envyings, 2205
{2205} Prime
ζῆλος
zelos
{dzay'-los}
From G2204; properly heat, that is, (figuratively) 'zeal' (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband [figuratively of God], or an enemy, malice).
wraths, 2372
{2372} Prime
θυμός
thumos
{thoo-mos'}
From G2380; passion (as if breathing hard).
strifes, 2052
{2052} Prime
ἐριθεία
eritheia
{er-ith-i'-ah}
Perhaps from the same as G2042; properly intrigue, that is, (by implication) faction.
backbitings, 2636
{2636} Prime
καταλαλιά
katalalia
{kat-al-al-ee'-ah}
From G2637; defamation.
whisperings, 5587
{5587} Prime
ψιθυρισμός
psithurismos
{psith-oo-ris-mos'}
From a derivative of ψίθος [[psithos]] (a whisper; by implication a slander; probably akin to G5574); whispering, that is, secret detraction.
swellings, 5450
{5450} Prime
φυσίωσις
phusiosis
{foo-see'-o-sis}
From G5448; inflation, that is, (figuratively) haughtiness.
tumults: 181
{0181} Prime
ἀκαταστασία
akatastasia
{ak-at-as-tah-see'-ah}
From G0182; instability, that is, disorder.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

2 Corinthians 12:20

_ _ For — Assigning cause why they needed to be thus spoken to “for their edification”; namely, his fear that at his coming he should find them “not such as he would,” and so he should be found by them “such as they would not” like, namely, severe in punishing misconduct.

_ _ debatesGreek, “strifes,” “contentions.”

_ _ envyings — The oldest manuscripts read “envying,” singular.

_ _ strifes — “factions,” “intrigues,” “factious schemes” [Wahl]. Ambitious self-seeking; from a Greek root, “to work for hire.

_ _ backbitings, whisperingsopen “slanderings,” and “whispering backbitings” (Galatians 5:20).

_ _ swellings — arrogant elation; puffing up of yourselves. Jude 1:16, “great swelling words” (2 Peter 2:18).

Matthew Henry's Commentary

See commentary on 2 Corinthians 12:11-21.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

[[no comment]]

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

2 Corinthians 12:20

(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, whisperings, swellings, tumults:

(8) Having confirmed his authority to them, he rebukes them sharply, and threatens them also like an apostle, showing that he will not spare them from now on, unless they repent, seeing that this is the third time that he has warned them.

Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
I shall not:

2 Corinthians 12:21 [And] lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and [that] I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.
2 Corinthians 13:9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, [even] your perfection.

and that:

2 Corinthians 1:23-24 Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. ... Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
2 Corinthians 2:1-3 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. ... And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is [the joy] of you all.
2 Corinthians 10:2 But I beseech [you], that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
2 Corinthians 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
2 Corinthians 10:8-9 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: ... That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
2 Corinthians 13:2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:
2 Corinthians 13:10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction.
1 Corinthians 4:18-21 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. ... What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and [in] the spirit of meekness?
1 Corinthians 5:3-5 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, [concerning] him that hath so done this deed, ... To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

debates:

1 Corinthians 1:11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them [which are of the house] of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
1 Corinthians 3:3-4 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas [there is] among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? ... For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I [am] of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
1 Corinthians 4:6-8 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and [to] Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think [of men] above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. ... Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
1 Corinthians 4:18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
1 Corinthians 6:7-8 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather [suffer yourselves to] be defrauded? ... Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that [your] brethren.
1 Corinthians 11:16-19 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. ... For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
1 Corinthians 14:36-37 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? ... If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
Galatians 5:15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ... Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: ... And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
James 3:14-16 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. ... For where envying and strife [is], there [is] confusion and every evil work.
James 4:1-5 From whence [come] wars and fightings among you? [come they] not hence, [even] of your lusts that war in your members? ... Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
1 Peter 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

whisperings:

Psalms 41:7 All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.
Proverbs 16:28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

swellings:

2 Peter 2:18 For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.
Jude 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling [words], having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.
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Chain-Reference Bible SearchCross References with Concordance

Ps 41:7. Pv 16:28. Ro 1:29. 1Co 1:11; 3:3; 4:6, 18; 5:3; 6:7; 11:16; 14:36. 2Co 1:23; 2:1; 10:2, 6, 8; 12:21; 13:2, 9, 10. Ga 5:15, 19, 26. Ep 4:31. Jm 3:14; 4:1. 1P 2:1. 2P 2:18. Jde 1:16.

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