Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on 2 Corinthians 12:20
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
For I fear lest when I come, etc..] This fear arose from his fatherly affection for them, and care of them: I shall not find you such as I would; truly penitent for former sins, thoroughly reformed in life and manners, zealous for God, Christ, and the Gospel, and hearty lovers of one another: and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not; sharp in his reproofs and admonitions, severe in his corrections and censures, and lawfully using the authority he had from Christ, to punish incorrigible offenders: lest there be debates; or “strifes”, or contentions among them, about words to no profit, or about their ministers, as before; one being for Paul, and another for Apollos, and another for Cephas: envyings: at each other's gifts, or “jealousies” of one another, and evil surmisings: wraths; breaking out into words and actions, which discover hatred of mind, a malignant spirit, quite contrary to that of the Gospel: strifes: law suits before heathen magistrates; contentions in the church who shall be greatest; or about lesser matters of religion, or things indifferent, vain, and trifling, and kept up merely for the sake of victory: backbitings; speaking evil of one another, detracting from, hurting, or taking away each other's character and good name: whisperings; secretly sowing discords among friends, and privately suggesting evil things of each other: swellings; with pride and conceit of themselves, because of their riches, learning, and eloquence, and looking with disdain upon others: tumults; at church meetings, interrupting one another, going into parties, and making rents and schisms.
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This excerpt is attributed to its named commentary. It is included as a historical study resource and should be evaluated in light of Scripture and other relevant evidence.
