2 Corinthians 12:21

When I come again. Paul fears a repetition of the embarrassment and humiliation of a previous visit (see on v. 14), even though the decided majority of the members had repented of their ways (see on ch. 2:1).

Humble. Gr. tapeinoō, “to make low,” “to bring low,” “to abase.” The same word is translated “cast down” in ch. 7:6 and “abasing” in ch. 11:7. Even the embarrassing experiences of life Paul accepted as coming from God, in the sense that He permitted them to happen. There is no more humiliating experience for the Christian minister than to find his converts practicing sins such as those listed in ch. 12:20. Paul considered his converts his “crown of rejoicing” (1 Thess. 2:19; cf. 2 Cor. 1:14).

Bewail. Or, “mourn,” “lament.” Paul will mourn for those who are spiritually dead. To see sin triumph in the lives of professed believers always causes the gospel minister intense suffering and pain (cf. Matt. 23:37–39).

Many. This gives some indication of the widespread nature of misconduct in the Corinthian church.

Sinned already. Literally, “sinned before.” This refers, not to their manner of life prior to conversion, but since. The Greek implies that the evil practices of v. 21 have been going on unchecked for some considerable time, with no indication of true repentance. They were old offenders. Though members of the Christian church, they persisted in the depraved practices common in the pagan world of Corinth (see p. 656).

Uncleanness. Or, “impurity,” here used in a general sense of licentious, profligate living such as was common at Corinth (Rom. 1:24; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 4:19).

Fornication. Or, “immorality,” a vice lightly regarded among pagans (1 Cor. 5:1; 6:13, 18; 7:2).

Lasciviousness. Or, “unbridled lust,” “excess,” “licentiousness,” shameless and insolent expressions of passion (Rom. 13:13; Gal. 5:19; 2 Peter 2:7, 18).