2 Corinthians 12:20
“For I am afraid that by any means, when I come, I might find you not the way I want to, and that I might be found by you as you don’t desire; that by any means there would be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, whisperings, proud thoughts, riots;”
What does 2 Corinthians 12:20 mean?
Paul is expressing real worry as he prepares to visit the Corinthian church, concerned that he'll find the community fractured and unhealthy. He's not afraid for his own sake, but dreading what the divisions and conflicts among them might reveal about their spiritual condition when they're all together face-to-face. The list of problems he mentions, strife, jealousy, anger, factions, and gossip, shows how sin ripples outward from pride and selfish ambition, poisoning relationships and community trust. What's striking is that Paul's concern cuts both ways: he worries about disappointing them too, suggesting he approaches them with genuine humility rather than just authority. If you're part of a community struggling with similar tensions, this verse reminds you that a pastor or leader who genuinely cares will be willing to address hard things, not because they're angry but because the health of the whole group matters deeply to them.