◄ 2 Corinthians 12:21 ►
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.
Study Bible
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.

2Co 13:2 I already warned you the second time I was with you.…
1Co 4:21 Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod…
2Co 10:2 I beg you that when I come I may not need to be as bold…

my God will humble me before you,

Paul acknowledges that God may use the situation to humble him, highlighting his submission to God's will. This humility is consistent with Paul's teachings in Philippians 2:3-8, where he emphasizes the importance of humility and servanthood, modeled by Christ. The potential humbling could involve Paul witnessing the spiritual failures of the Corinthians, which would be a source of personal sorrow and a reminder of his own limitations as a leader.

1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand,…
Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
Pro 29:23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit…

and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier

Paul anticipates sorrow over those who continue in sin despite previous admonitions. This reflects the ongoing struggle within the Corinthian church, as addressed in 1 Corinthians 5:1-13, where Paul dealt with issues of immorality. The grief Paul mentions is akin to the godly sorrow he describes in 2 Corinthians 7:9-10, which leads to repentance and salvation.

2Co 2:4 For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress…
1Co 5:2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been stricken…
Rom 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.

Paul lists specific sins that were prevalent in Corinth, a city known for its moral laxity and pagan practices. The call to repentance is central to Paul's message, as seen in Acts 17:30, where he declares that God commands all people to repent. The sins mentioned—impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery—are often linked in Paul's writings (Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 5:3-5) as behaviors that are incompatible with the kingdom of God. The emphasis on repentance underscores the transformative power of the gospel and the necessity of turning away from sin to live a life pleasing to God.

Rev 2:21 Even though I have given her time to repent…
Eph 5:3 But among you, as is proper among the saints,…
Gal 5:19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The 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 Repentance
True 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
1. What specific sins does Paul mention in 2 Corinthians 12:21, and why do you think these were prevalent in the Corinthian church?

2. How does Paul's fear of being humbled by God reflect his pastoral concern for the Corinthians?

3. In what ways can the church today address issues of impurity and immorality within its community?

4. How does the concept of repentance in 2 Corinthians 12:21 connect with other biblical teachings on repentance?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's humbling in your life. How did it lead to personal growth or repentance?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Corinthians 5
Paul previously addressed issues of sexual immorality in the Corinthian church, urging them to expel the immoral brother.

Galatians 5:19-21
Lists the works of the flesh, including sexual immorality and debauchery, similar to the sins mentioned in 2 Corinthians 12:21.

James 4:6-10
Discusses humility and repentance, emphasizing God's grace to the humble and the need to turn from sin.

Revelation 2:5
Calls for repentance and returning to the first works, warning of consequences if repentance is neglected.
Sermons
The Humbling of God's MinistersR. Tuck 2 Corinthians 12:21
A Sermon Upon One Nothing by Another NothingC. H. Spurgeon.2 Corinthians 12:11-21
Paul's State of Mind Concerning His Connection with the Church At CorinthD. Thomas, D. D.2 Corinthians 12:11-21
Expression of His FearsC. Lipscomb 2 Corinthians 12:20, 21
People
Corinthians, Paul, Titus
Places
Achaia, Corinth, Damascus
Topics
Afraid, Already, Bewail, Cling, Committed, Debauchery, Desires, Earlier, Evil, Fear, Flesh, Fornication, Grief, Grieve, Grieved, Gross, Guilty, Hearts, Heretofore, Humble, Humbled, Humiliate, Immorality, Impurity, Indulged, Lasciviousness, Lest, Lewdness, Licentiousness, Lustfulness, Mourn, Past, Practiced, Practise, Practised, Presence, Reformed, Regard, Regret, Repented, Re-visiting, Sensuality, Sexual, Shame, Sin, Sinned, Sins, Unclean, Uncleanness, Whoredom, Wrong
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Corinthians 12:21

     5835   disappointment
     6237   sexual sin, nature of
     8276   humility
     8821   self-indulgence

2 Corinthians 12:20-21

     6746   sanctification, means and results

Library
Not Yours but You
'I seek not yours, but you.'--2 COR. xii. 14. Men are usually quick to suspect others of the vices to which they themselves are prone. It is very hard for one who never does anything but with an eye to what he can make out of it, to believe that there are other people actuated by higher motives. So Paul had, over and over again, to meet the hateful charge of making money out of his apostleship. It was one of the favourite stones that his opponents in the Corinthian Church, of whom there were very …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Strength in Weakness
'For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.'--2 COR. xii. 8, 9. This very remarkable page in the autobiography of the Apostle shows us that he, too, belonged to the great army of martyrs who, with hearts bleeding and pierced through and through with a dart, yet did their …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Paradox
I. Perhaps I can expound the text best if I first TURN IT THE OTHER WAY UP, and use it as a warning. When I am strong, then am I weak. Perhaps, while thinking of the text thus turned inside out, we shall be getting light upon it to be used when we view it with the right side outwards, and see that when we are weak, then we are strong. I am quite sure that some people think themselves very strong, and are not so. Their proud consciousness of fancied strength is the indication of a terrible weakness. …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 34: 1888

The Collection for St Paul: the Farewell
PHILIPPIANS iv. 10-23 The Philippian alms--His sense of their faithful love--He has received in full--A passage in the Scriptural manner--The letter closes--"Christ is preached"--"Together with them" The work of dictation is nearly done in the Roman lodging. The manuscript will soon be complete, and then soon rolled up and sealed, ready for Epaphroditus; he will place it with reverence and care in his baggage, and see it safe to Philippi. But one topic has to be handled yet before the end. "Now …
Handley C. G. Moule—Philippian Studies

Introductory Note to Chapter iii. By the Editor
BY THE EDITOR THE readers, especially those not well acquainted with Scholastic philosophy, will, perhaps, be glad to find here a short explanation of the various kinds. of Vision and Locution, Corporal, Imaginary, and Intellectual. The senses of Taste, Touch, and Smell are not so often affected by mystical phenomena, but what we are about to say in respect of Sight and Hearing applies, mutatis mutandis, to these also. 1. A CORPORAL VISION is when one sees a bodily object. A Corporal Locution is …
Teresa of Avila—The Interior Castle, or The Mansions

That the Ruler Should be a Near Neighbour to Every one in Compassion, and Exalted Above all in Contemplation.
The ruler should be a near neighbour to every one in sympathy, and exalted above all in contemplation, so that through the bowels of loving-kindness he may transfer the infirmities of others to himself, and by loftiness of speculation transcend even himself in his aspiration after the invisible; lest either in seeking high things he despise the weak things of his neighbours, or in suiting himself to the weak things of his neighbours he relinquish his aspiration after high things. For hence it is …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Abram's Horror of Great Darkness.
"And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him." If we consider the sketch, given us in scripture, of the life of this patriarch, we shall find that few have had equal manifestations of the divine favor. But the light did not at all times shine on him. He had his dark hours while dwelling in this strange land. Here we find an horror of great darkness to have fallen upon him. The language used to describe his state, on this occasion, …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

"That which was from the Beginning, which we have Heard, which we have Seen with Our Eyes, which we have Looked Upon, and Our Hands Have
1 John i. 1.--"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life." It is the great qualification of a disciple, or hearer, to be attentive and docile, to be capable of teaching, and to apply the mind seriously to it. It is much to get the ear of a man. If his ear be gotten, his mind is the more easily gained. Therefore, those who professed eloquence, and studied to persuade men to any …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Answer to Mr. W's Fifth Objection.
5. The consideration that none of these raised persons did or could, after the return to their bodies, tell any tales of their separate existence; otherwise the Evangelists had not been silent in this main point, &c. p. 32. None of these persons, Mr. W. says, told any tales of their separate existence. So I suppose with him. As for the two first: How should they? being only, as Mr. W. says, an insignificant boy and girl, of twelve years of age, or thereabouts. Or if they did, the Evangelists were …
Nathaniel Lardner—A Vindication of Three of Our Blessed Saviour's Miracles

How Christ is to be Made Use of as Our Life, in Case of Heartlessness and Fainting through Discouragements.
There is another evil and distemper which believers are subject to, and that is a case of fainting through manifold discouragements, which make them so heartless that they can do nothing; yea, and to sit up, as if they were dead. The question then is, how such a soul shall make use of Christ as in the end it may be freed from that fit of fainting, and win over those discouragements: for satisfaction to which we shall, 1. Name some of those discouragements which occasion this. 2. Show what Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

That Man Hath no Good in Himself, and Nothing Whereof to Glory
Lord, what is man that Thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that Thou visitest him?(1) What hath man deserved, that Thou shouldest bestow thy favour upon him? Lord, what cause can I have of complaint, if Thou forsake me? Or what can I justly allege, if Thou refuse to hear my petition? Of a truth, this I may truly think and say, Lord, I am nothing, I have nothing that is good of myself, but I fall short in all things, and ever tend unto nothing. And unless I am helped by Thee and inwardly …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Extracts No. viii.
"In regard to the story reported among the Jews, respecting the body of Jesus, I admit there is a greater probability of there being such a report, especially if the body could not be found, and the apostles affirmed that he was risen from the dead, than there is that the resurrection, should be actually true: hence, perhaps, I was not so much on my guard in the expression as I ought to have been. What I particularly had in my mind was, that I might find it difficult to prove even the existence of …
Hosea Ballou—A Series of Letters In Defence of Divine Revelation

So Then we must Confess that the Dead Indeed do not Know what Is...
18. So then we must confess that the dead indeed do not know what is doing here, but while it is in doing here: afterwards, however, they hear it from those who from hence go to them at their death; not indeed every thing, but what things those are allowed to make known who are suffered also to remember these things; and which it is meet for those to hear, whom they inform of the same. It may be also, that from the Angels, who are present in the things which are doing here, the dead do hear somewhat, …
St. Augustine—On Care to Be Had for the Dead.

Introductory Note to the Epistle of Barnabas
[a.d. 100.] The writer of this Epistle is supposed to have been an Alexandrian Jew of the times of Trajan and Hadrian. He was a layman; but possibly he bore the name of "Barnabas," and so has been confounded with his holy and apostolic name-sire. It is more probable that the Epistle, being anonymous, was attributed to St. Barnabas, by those who supposed that apostle to be the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews, and who discovered similarities in the plan and purpose of the two works. It is with …
Barnabas—The Epistle of Barnabas

The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
Ver. 20. "And Noah began and became an husbandman, and planted vineyards."--This does not imply that Noah was the first who began to till the ground, and, more especially, to cultivate the vine; for Cain, too, was a tiller of the ground, Gen. iv. 2. The sense rather is, that Noah, after the flood, again took up this calling. Moreover, the remark has not an independent import; it serves only to prepare the way for the communication of the subsequent account of Noah's drunkenness. By this remark, …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Christ Our Life.
Colossians 3:4.--Christ who is our life. One question that rises in every mind is this: "How can I live that life of perfect trust in God?" Many do not know the right answer, or the full answer. It is this: "Christ must live it in me." That is what He became man for; as a man to live a life of trust in God, and so to show to us how we ought to live. When He had done that upon earth, He went to heaven, that He might do more than show us, might give us, and live in us that life of trust. It is as we …
Andrew Murray—The Master's Indwelling

Meditations for the Sick.
Whilst thy sickness remains, use often, for thy comfort, these few meditations, taken from the ends wherefore God sendeth afflictions to his children. Those are ten. 1. That by afflictions God may not only correct our sins past, but also work in us a deeper loathing of our natural corruptions, and so prevent us from falling into many other sins, which otherwise we would commit; like a good father, who suffers his tender babe to scorch his finger in a candle, that he may the rather learn to beware …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly
WE shall consider, first, what things work for good to the godly; and here we shall show that both the best things and the worst things work for their good. We begin with the best things. 1. God's attributes work for good to the godly. (1). God's power works for good. It is a glorious power (Col. i. 11), and it is engaged for the good of the elect. God's power works for good, in supporting us in trouble. "Underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deut. xxxiii. 27). What upheld Daniel in the lion's den? …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

Epistle xxv. To Gregoria.
To Gregoria. Gregory to Gregoria, Lady of the Bed-chamber (cubiculariæ) to Augusta. I have received the longed for letters of your Sweetness, in which you have been at pains all through to accuse yourself of a multitude of sins: but I know that you fervently love the Almighty Lord, and I trust in His mercy that the sentence which was pronounced with regard to a certain holy woman proceeds from the mouth of the Truth with regard to you: Her sins, which are many, are forgiven her, for she loved …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Let us Now Examine the Conditions under which a Revelation May be Expected To...
2. Let us now examine the conditions under which a revelation may be expected to be given to the original recipients. It may be observed in the first place that a revelation must possess some distinctive character. Even, if it should turn out that there is no such thing in reality at all, at least the notion which we form in our minds must possess such points of difference as to distinguish it from all other notions. It appears needful to bear this in mind, obvious though it is, because there …
Samuel John Jerram—Thoughts on a Revelation

Of the Corruption of Nature and the Efficacy of Divine Grace
O Lord my God, who hast created me after thine own image and similitude, grant me this grace, which Thou hast shown to be so great and so necessary for salvation, that I may conquer my wicked nature, which draweth me to sin and to perdition. For I feel in my flesh the law of sin, contradicting the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the obedience of sensuality in many things; nor can I resist its passions, unless Thy most holy grace assist me, fervently poured into my heart. 2. There …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Meditations of the Blessed State of a Regenerate Man in Heaven.
Here my meditation dazzles, and my pen falls out of my hand; the one being not able to conceive, nor the other to describe, that most excellent bliss, and eternal weight of glory (2 Cor. iv. 17; Rom. viii. 18)--whereof all the afflictions of this present life are not worthy--which all the elect shall with the blessed Trinity enjoy, from that time that they shall be received with Christ, as joint-heirs (Rom. viii. 17) into that everlasting kingdom of joy. Notwithstanding, we may take a scantling thereof. …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

And Many Monks have Related with the Greatest Agreement and Unanimity that Many Other...
65. And many monks have related with the greatest agreement and unanimity that many other such like things were done by him. But still these do not seem as marvellous as certain other things appear to be. For once, when about to eat, having risen up to pray about the ninth hour, he perceived that he was caught up in the spirit, and, wonderful to tell, he stood and saw himself, as it were, from outside himself, and that he was led in the air by certain ones. Next certain bitter and terrible beings …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

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