READING TIME: 1-2 MINUTES
March 23, 2020
“In 2 Corinthians 12:21, are the “many” in Corinth believers, because it says they were practicing impurity, immorality, and sensuality?”
2 Corinthians 12:21: I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced (NASB).
Paul was afraid that when he came, the Corinthians would not be where he wanted them to be spiritual, that is, they would be carnal practicing sins such as contentions, etc.
If Paul arrived in Corinth and some of them were practicing these sins, he would be deeply grieved. If such sins were present when he came, then instead of coming in joy (cf. 2 Cor. 3:2), he would be coming in sorrow (cf. 2 Cor. 2:1-3). Even though in such a case he would say God used it to humble him, he didn’t want the humbling experience of lamenting unrepentant sin.
Some argue that the sins listed here were only being committed by a “minority” and it demonstrates that the people about whom Paul is speaking were not genuine believers, but in the verse being discussed, Paul speaks of “many who have sinned” and in light of what he says about this church (cf. 1 Cor 1:2, 4-7; 6:18-20; 12:13; 2 Cor 1:8; 6:14-7:1) it is hard to imagine that Paul considered “many” in the church to be unregenerate. These were believers who had continued to practice immorality “even after their conversion.” When we find a believer committing serious sin, the response should be grief, not criticism, condemnation, anger, or indifference.
What did Paul mean by repent here? Paul was afraid that they had not changed their attitudes toward the sins he lists.
Though some deny that Christians are capable of such sins, this passage indicates that believers can commit all kinds of iniquity. Though conversion itself is instantaneous, growth in grace is gradual.
Sources Used
Cocoris, G. Michael. Repentance: The Most Misunderstood Word in the Bible. Grace Gospel Press.
López, René A. “A Study of Pauline Passages with Vice Lists.” Bibliotheca Sacra 168 (2011): 305-307.
Wilkin, Robert N. “Repentance as a Condition of Salvation in the New Testament.” Th.D. dissertation, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1985, 130-131.
