Knowing The Word in 2 Corinthians 12:19-21, Speaking in Christ

19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 21 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.

Paul is speaking the truth to the Corinthians since he is in Christ. He writes from a place of righteousness to build them up, a theme he repeats throughout this letter. Paul fears, however, that they have reverted to their old factious and immoral behaviors. They have recently come out of pagan lifestyles, and it appears many have found it quite easy to slip back into their former sins.

O God, bless and preserve thy Church dispersed over the face of the earth. Restore to it unity and concord, in the acknowledgement of the Truth and the practice of righteousness. Remove out of it all errors and dissensions, that they who profess the same faith may no longer persecute and destroy one another, but be kind and tender-hearted one towards another, as it becomes brethren and those that are heirs of the same common salvation.

King William III, 1650-1702