2 Corinthians 12:21 (YLT)

Passage

lest again having come, my God may humble me in regard to you, and I may bewail many of those having sinned before, and not having reformed concerning the uncleanness, and whoredom, and lasciviousness, that they did practise.

Nearby Context

2 Corinthians 12:19 Again, think ye that to you we are making defence? before God in Christ do we speak; and the all things, beloved, <FI>are<Fi> for your up-building,

2 Corinthians 12:20 for I fear lest, having come, not such as I wish I may find you, and I--I may be found by you such as ye do not wish, lest there be strifes, envyings, wraths, revelries, evil-speakings, whisperings, puffings up, insurrections,

2 Corinthians 12:21 lest again having come, my God may humble me in regard to you, and I may bewail many of those having sinned before, and not having reformed concerning the uncleanness, and whoredom, and lasciviousness, that they did practise.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "lest", "again", "having", "come", "humble", "regard", and "bewail". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "lest" and "again", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The prior verse says "for I fear lest having come not...", giving immediate footing for "lest" and "again". In 2 Corinthians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "lest" and "again" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.