2 Corinthians 12:20
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:
Study Note
Study Note
Paul's fear that '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' — preceded by a list of 'debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults' — provides a concrete description of the specific interpersonal sins that threaten community life. The list notably places 'whisperings' (psithurismoi, secret slanders) alongside 'backbitings' (katalaliai, open slanders), indicating that Paul treats covert and overt forms of destructive speech as equally dangerous to ecclesial community. The mutual apprehension expressed — 'I shall not find you as I would, you shall not find me as you would' — reflects the relational fragility of the Corinthian situation and Paul's genuine pastoral anxiety. The passage remains a diagnostic inventory for communal pathologies in Christian communities.
Other Translations
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;
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,
For I have a fear that, when I come, you may not be answering to my desire, and that I may not be answering to yours; that there may be fighting, hate, angry feeling, divisions, evil talk about others, secrets, thoughts of pride, outbursts against authority;
Cross References
All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt.
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, …
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, …
For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye …
Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God …
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?