2 Corinthians 12:21

“And lest when I come again, etc..] Another thing which he feared would be the case when he came again to them, that he himself should be afflicted and distressed, seeing them in a disorderly and dissolute course of life, be obliged to punish them, which would be an humiliation and matter of grief to him: my God will humble me; instead of rejoicing in the fruit of his labours, that they were not in vain, he signifies that he should have great sorrow of heart; and whereas he had promised himself much pleasure and comfort in visiting them, it would be the reverse; and inasmuch as he had boasted of them to others, he should be ashamed: and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, or…”

“my God--his God, however trying the humiliation that was in store for him. will humble me--The indicative implies that the supposition will actually be so. The faithful pastor is "humbled" at, and "bewails" the falls of his people, as though they were his own. sinned already--before my last coming [BENGEL], that is, before the second visit which he paid, and in which he had much at Corinth to rebuke. have not repented--shall not have repented [ALFORD]. uncleanness--for example, of married persons (Th1 4:7). fornication--among the unmarried. Next: 2 Corinthians Chapter 13”

“And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me ... - Lest I should be compelled to inflict punishment on those whom I suppose to have been converted under my ministry. I had rejoiced in them as true converts: I had counted them as among the fruit of my ministry. Now to be compelled to inflict punishment on them as having no religion would mortify me and humble me. The infliction of punishment on members of the church is a sort of punishment to him who inflicts it as well as to him who is punished. Members of the church should walk uprightly, lest they overwhelm the ministry in shame. And that I shall bewail many ... - If they repented of their sin he could still rejoice in them. If they…”

“Who had sinned before - My last coming to Corinth. Uncleanness - Of married persons. Lasciviousness - Against nature. Next: 2 Corinthians Chapter 13”

“12:21 Paul fears that God will humble me in your presence—a reprise of the previous visit (2:1), when the Corinthians had rebuffed and humiliated Paul. • The vices listed were among the Corinthians’ old sins (see 6:14–7:1; 1 Corinthians Book Introduction, “Setting”).”

“my God: Co2 12:7, Co2 8:24, Co2 9:3, Co2 9:4 that I: Co2 2:1-4; Exo 32:31; Deu 9:15, Deu 9:25; Sa1 15:35; Ezr 9:3, Ezr 10:1; Psa 119:136; Jer 9:1, Jer 13:17; Luk 9:41, Luk 9:42; Rom 9:2; Phi 3:18, Phi 3:19 sinned: Co2 13:2 and have not: Co2 2:5-11, Co2 7:9-11, Co2 10:6; Co1 6:9-11; Rev 22:20 uncleanness: Rom 13:13; Co1 5:1, Co1 5:9-11, Co1 6:15-18; Gal 5:19; Eph 5:5, Eph 5:6; Col 3:5; Th1 4:3-7; Heb 13:4; Pe1 4:2, Pe1 4:3; Pe2 2:10-14, Pe2 2:18; Jde 1:7, Jde 1:23; Rev 21:8, Rev 22:15 2 Corinthians 12:1”