Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged. New Living Translation Yes, I am afraid that when I come again, God will humble me in your presence. And I will be grieved because many of you have not given up your old sins. You have not repented of your impurity, sexual immorality, and eagerness for lustful pleasure. English Standard Version I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced. Berean Standard Bible I am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery. Berean Literal Bible lest on my having come again, my God should humble me as to you⁺, and I should mourn many of those having before sinned and not having repented of the impurity and sexual immorality and sensuality that they have practiced. King James Bible 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. New King James Version lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced. New American Standard Bible I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and indecent behavior which they have practiced. NASB 1995 I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced. NASB 1977 I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced. Legacy Standard Bible I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality which they have practiced. Amplified Bible I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality and decadence which they formerly practiced. Berean Annotated Bible I am afraid that when I come again, my God {Theos} will humble me before you⁺, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity (uncleanness), sexual immorality {porneia}, and debauchery. Christian Standard Bible I fear that when I come my God will again humiliate me in your presence, and I will grieve for many who sinned before and have not repented of the moral impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality they practiced. Holman Christian Standard Bible I fear that when I come my God will again humiliate me in your presence, and I will grieve for many who sinned before and have not repented of the moral impurity, sexual immorality, and promiscuity they practiced. American Standard Version lest again when I come my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed. Contemporary English Version I am afraid God will make me ashamed when I visit you again. I will feel like crying because many of you have never given up your old sins. You are still doing things that are immoral, indecent, and shameful. English Revised Version lest, when I come again, my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they committed. GOD'S WORD® Translation I'm afraid that when I come to you again, my God may humble me. I may have to grieve over many who formerly led sinful lives and have not changed the way they think and act about the perversion, sexual sins, and promiscuity in which they have been involved. Good News Translation I am afraid that the next time I come my God will humiliate me in your presence, and I shall weep over many who sinned in the past and have not repented of the immoral things they have done--their lust and their sexual sins. International Standard Version I am afraid that when I come my God may again humble me before you and that I may have to grieve over many who formerly lived in sin and have not repented of their impurity, sexual immorality, and promiscuity that they once practiced. NET Bible I am afraid that when I come again, my God may humiliate me before you, and I will grieve for many of those who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and licentiousness that they have practiced. New Heart English Bible that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness and sexual immorality and lustfulness which they committed. Webster's Bible Translation And lest, when I come again, my God may humble me among you, and I shall bewail many who have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness, and lewdness, and lasciviousness, which they have committed. Weymouth New Testament and that upon re-visiting you I may be humbled by my God in your presence, and may have to mourn over many whose hearts still cling to their old sins, and who have not repented of the impurity, fornication, and gross sensuality, of which they have been guilty. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleI am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery. World English Bible that again when I come my God would humble me before you, and I would mourn for many of those who have sinned before now, and not repented of the uncleanness, sexual immorality, and lustfulness which they committed. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionlest again having come, my God may humble me in regard to you, and I may mourn many of those having sinned before, and having not changed their mind concerning the uncleanness, and whoredom, and licentiousness, that they practiced. Berean Literal Bible lest on my having come again, my God should humble me as to you⁺, and I should mourn many of those having before sinned and not having repented of the impurity and sexual immorality and sensuality that they have practiced. Young's Literal Translation lest again having come, my God may humble me in regard to you, and I may bewail many of those having sinned before, and not having reformed concerning the uncleanness, and whoredom, and lasciviousness, that they did practise. Smith's Literal Translation Lest, coming again, my God should humble me with you, and I shall mourn for many of them having sinned before, and not having repented for uncleanness, and fornication, and licentiousness which they committed. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleLest again, when I come, God humble me among you: and I mourn many of them that sinned before, and have not done penance for the uncleanness, and fornication, and lasciviousness, that they have committed. Catholic Public Domain Version If so, then, when I have arrived, God may again humble me among you. And so, I mourn for the many who sinned beforehand, and did not repent, over the lust and fornication and homosexuality, which they have committed. New American Bible I fear that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, immorality, and licentiousness they practiced. New Revised Standard Version I fear that when I come again, my God may humble me before you, and that I may have to mourn over many who previously sinned and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and licentiousness that they have practiced. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BiblePerhaps when I come to you, my God will humble me, and I will mourn over many who have sinned, and who have not repented of the impurity, immorality, and lasciviousness which they have committed. Aramaic Bible in Plain English Lest when I come to you, my God would humble me and I would grieve over many who have sinned and have not returned from defilement, from fornication and from lewdness which they have practiced. NT Translations Anderson New Testamentlest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn over many of those who have already sinned, and have not repented of the uncleanness and lewdness and wantonness which they have committed. Godbey New Testament lest, I again having come, my God will humble me before you, and I will mourn over many of those having previously committed sins, and not having repented over the uncleanness and the fornication and debauchery which they have done. Haweis New Testament and lest when I come to you again, my God should bow me down, and I should lament over many who have sinned before, and have not repented of the impurities, and whoredom, and lasciviousness which they have committed. Mace New Testament and I am afraid, God will humble me when I come again among you, and I shall bewail many who have formerly sinned, and have not yet repented of their impurity, their fornication, and dissoluteness. Weymouth New Testament and that upon re-visiting you I may be humbled by my God in your presence, and may have to mourn over many whose hearts still cling to their old sins, and who have not repented of the impurity, fornication, and gross sensuality, of which they have been guilty. Worrell New Testament lest, when I come again, my God should humble me before you, and I should mourn for many of those who have heretofore sinned, and repented not of the uncleanness, and fornication and lasciviousness which they practiced. Worsley New Testament when I come again, my God should humble me among you, and I should be grieved for many of those who have sinned heretofore, and have not repented of the impurity, and fornication, and lewdness which they have practised. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Concern for the Corinthians…20For I am afraid that when I come, I may not find you as I wish, and you may not find me as you wish. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, rage, rivalry, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder. 21I am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery. Cross References I am afraid that when I come again, 2 Corinthians 13:2 I already warned you the second time I was with you. So now in my absence I warn those who sinned earlier and everyone else: If I return, I will not spare anyone, 1 Corinthians 4:21 Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit? 2 Corinthians 10:2 I beg you that when I come I may not need to be as bold as I expect toward those who presume that we live according to the flesh. my God will humble me before you, 1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you. Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor. and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier 2 Corinthians 2:4 For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart, not to grieve you but to let you know how much I love you. 1 Corinthians 5:2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this? Romans 9:2 I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery. Revelation 2:21 Even though I have given her time to repent of her immorality, she is unwilling. Ephesians 5:3 But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. Galatians 5:19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 1 Corinthians 5:1-2 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. / And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken with grief and have removed from your fellowship the man who did this? Colossians 3:5-6 Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. / Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. Romans 1:24-27 Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. / They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen. / For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. … 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; / each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, / not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God; … Treasury of Scripture And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall mourn many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. my God. 2 Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 2 Corinthians 8:24 Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf. 2 Corinthians 9:3,4 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready: … that I. 2 Corinthians 2:1-4 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness… Exodus 32:31 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Deuteronomy 9:15,25 So I turned and came down from the mount, and the mount burned with fire: and the two tables of the covenant were in my two hands… sinned. 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: and have not. 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all… 2 Corinthians 7:9-11 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing… 2 Corinthians 10:6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. uncleanness. Romans 13:13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 1 Corinthians 5:1,9-11 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife… 1 Corinthians 6:15-18 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid… Jump to Previous Afraid Already Bewail Cling Committed Debauchery Desires Earlier Evil Fear Flesh Fornication Grieved Gross Guilty Hearts Heretofore Humble Humbled Humiliate Immorality Impurity Indulged Lasciviousness Lewdness Lustfulness Mourn Past Practiced Presence Regret Repented Sensuality Sexual Shame Sin Sinned Sins Unclean Uncleanness WaysJump to Next Afraid Already Bewail Cling Committed Debauchery Desires Earlier Evil Fear Flesh Fornication Grieved Gross Guilty Hearts Heretofore Humble Humbled Humiliate Immorality Impurity Indulged Lasciviousness Lewdness Lustfulness Mourn Past Practiced Presence Regret Repented Sensuality Sexual Shame Sin Sinned Sins Unclean Uncleanness Ways2 Corinthians 12 1. For commending of his apostleship, though he might glory of his wonderful revelations,9. yet he rather chooses to glory of his infirmities; 11. blaming the Corinthians for forcing him to this vain boasting. 14. He promises to come to them again; but yet altogether in the affection of a father; 20. although he fears he shall to his grief find many offenders, and public disorders there. I am afraid that when I come again Paul expresses a personal concern about his upcoming visit to the Corinthian church. This reflects his pastoral heart and the responsibility he feels for the spiritual well-being of the believers. His previous visits to Corinth were marked by challenges, as seen in Acts 18:1-11 and 1 Corinthians 16:5-9, where he dealt with issues of division and immorality. The phrase indicates a sense of apprehension, suggesting that Paul anticipates confronting unresolved issues. my God will humble me before you and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul the ApostleThe author of the letter, expressing his concern for the Corinthian church's spiritual state. 2. Corinthian Church The recipients of the letter, a Christian community in Corinth struggling with issues of sin and repentance. 3. God The divine authority whom Paul fears will humble him if the Corinthians have not repented. 4. Sinful Behaviors Impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery are specifically mentioned as issues within the church. 5. Repentance A key theme in the passage, highlighting the need for turning away from sin. Teaching Points The Necessity of RepentanceTrue repentance involves a heartfelt turning away from sin and a commitment to follow Christ. The Role of Church Discipline Addressing sin within the church is crucial for maintaining spiritual health and integrity. Humility Before God Recognize that God may use circumstances to humble us, leading to spiritual growth and repentance. The Grief of Unrepentant Sin Sin not only affects the individual but also grieves the community and its leaders. The Call to Holiness Believers are called to live lives of purity, reflecting the holiness of God in their conduct. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Corinthians 12:21?2. How does 2 Corinthians 12:21 address the need for repentance in our lives? 3. What sins are mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:21, and why are they significant? 4. How can we ensure our lives align with Paul's teachings in 2 Corinthians 12:21? 5. What other scriptures emphasize repentance and turning from sin like 2 Corinthians 12:21? 6. How can we help others avoid the sins listed in 2 Corinthians 12:21? 7. What does 2 Corinthians 12:21 reveal about Paul's concerns for the Corinthian church's behavior? 8. How does 2 Corinthians 12:21 address the issue of repentance in the Christian life? 9. What sins are highlighted in 2 Corinthians 12:21, and why are they significant? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Corinthians 12? 11. What does the Bible say about debauchery? 12. Why do drugs like DMT and LSD cause similar visions to religious experiences? 13. Is there a Heaven? 14. What does 'no condemnation in Christ' mean? What Does 2 Corinthians 12:21 Mean I am afraid that when I come again• Paul’s words reveal a genuine, personal fear. He is not doubting God’s power but acknowledging that believers can resist correction (see 2 Corinthians 13:2–3; 1 Corinthians 4:21). • “When I come again” points to a literal, upcoming visit. Paul intends to confront sin in person, echoing his earlier promise in 1 Corinthians 11:34 that unresolved matters would be set in order face-to-face. • His concern shows pastoral love. Like the shepherd in Luke 15:4–7, he is willing to leave comfort behind to recover straying sheep. my God will humble me before you • Paul foresees the possibility of being “brought low” if Corinth refuses to repent. God exalts the humble (James 4:10), yet He may humble His servants through painful ministry situations. • The phrase mirrors 2 Corinthians 10:1, where Paul appeals “in the meekness and gentleness of Christ,” proving that true authority is exercised through humility, not dominance. • By linking his humiliation to God’s action—“my God will humble me”—Paul admits that even an apostle remains under divine discipline (compare 1 Corinthians 9:27). and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier • “Grieved” (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:1–4) conveys deep sorrow, not irritation. Spiritual leaders feel heartache when believers persist in sin, just as Jesus wept over Jerusalem in Luke 19:41-44. • “Many who have sinned earlier” points back to issues addressed in 1 Corinthians 5:1-2 (incest) and 1 Corinthians 6:7-8 (lawsuits). Time has passed, yet some remain unchanged, underscoring that delay in repentance worsens sorrow (Psalm 119:136). and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery • Repentance is the dividing line. Without it, forgiveness is not applied (Acts 3:19). • The triple description broadens the charge: – Impurity: any moral uncleanness (Ephesians 5:3). – Sexual immorality: specific physical sins (1 Thessalonians 4:3–5). – Debauchery: unchecked indulgence, often public and shameless (Galatians 5:19-21). • Paul expects visible, practical change (Revelation 2:21-22). Grace never excuses sin; it empowers transformation (Titus 2:11-14). • Failure to repent will force Paul to exercise church discipline during his visit (2 Corinthians 13:10; Matthew 18:15-17). summary Paul fears that an unrepentant Corinth will force a painful meeting, not because God’s purpose falters, but because believers can stubbornly cling to impurity. He anticipates personal humiliation and grief, yet remains ready to confront sin in love. The verse calls every Christian to swift, sincere repentance and to honor God with lives free from impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery, knowing that unaddressed sin saddens faithful leaders and invites divine discipline. (21) And lest when I come again . . .--The words do not imply more than one previous visit (Acts 18:1), but it can scarcely be said that they exclude the supposition of another. (See Note on 2Corinthians 13:1.)My God will humble me among you.--We lose the force of the Greek verb by not seeing that it reproduces the word which has been so prominent in the Epistle, and which has appeared in 2Corinthians 7:6, as "cast down;" in 2Corinthians 10:1 as "base;" in 2Corinthians 11:7 as "abasing." There is something almost plaintive in the tone in which the Apostle speaks of the sin of his disciples as the only real "humiliation" which he has to fear. The readings vary; and one of them may be taken as a question: Will God humble me again? There is, however, it is believed, no adequate ground for altering the text. . . . Verse 21. - Humble me among you; rather, in my relation to you. Many which have sinned already, and have not repented; rather, who have sinned before and did not repent. Many had sinned (1 Corinthians 6:12-20); some only had repented.
Greek [I am afraid that]μὴ (mē) Adverb Strong's 3361: Not, lest. A primary particle of qualified negation; not, lest; also (whereas ou expects an affirmative one) whether. when I come ἐλθόντος (elthontos) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Singular Strong's 2064: To come, go. again, πάλιν (palin) Adverb Strong's 3825: Probably from the same as pale; anew, i.e. back, once more, or furthermore or on the other hand. my μου (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. God Θεός (Theos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. will humble ταπεινώσῃ (tapeinōsē) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Singular Strong's 5013: To make or bring low, humble, humiliate; pass: To be humbled. From tapeinos; to depress; figuratively, to humiliate. me με (me) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 1st Person Singular Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. before πρὸς (pros) Preposition Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. you, ὑμᾶς (hymas) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. I will be grieved over πενθήσω (penthēsō) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 1st Person Singular Strong's 3996: To mourn, lament, feel guilt. From penthos; to grieve. many πολλοὺς (pollous) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural Strong's 4183: Much, many; often. who τῶν (tōn) Article - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. have sinned earlier προημαρτηκότων (proēmartēkotōn) Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 4258: To sin previously. From pro and hamartano; to sin previously. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. have not repented μετανοησάντων (metanoēsantōn) Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Genitive Masculine Plural Strong's 3340: From meta and noieo; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. Reconsider. of ἐπὶ (epi) Preposition Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at. their acts of ἔπραξαν (epraxan) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural Strong's 4238: To do, perform, accomplish; be in any condition, i.e. I fare; I exact, require. impurity, ἀκαθαρσίᾳ (akatharsia) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 167: Uncleanness, impurity. From akathartos; impurity, physically or morally. sexual immorality, πορνείᾳ (porneia) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 4202: Fornication, whoredom; met: idolatry. From porneuo; harlotry; figuratively, idolatry. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely. debauchery. ἀσελγείᾳ (aselgeia) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular Strong's 766: From a compound of a and a presumed selges; licentiousness. Links 2 Corinthians 12:21 NIV2 Corinthians 12:21 NLT 2 Corinthians 12:21 ESV 2 Corinthians 12:21 NASB 2 Corinthians 12:21 KJV 2 Corinthians 12:21 BibleApps.com 2 Corinthians 12:21 Biblia Paralela 2 Corinthians 12:21 Chinese Bible 2 Corinthians 12:21 French Bible 2 Corinthians 12:21 Catholic Bible NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 12:21 That again when I come my God (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor) |
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