2 Corinthians 12:11-21 - Paul's Concern For The Christians At Corinth
11 I have become foolish boasting. You compelled me. For I ought to be commended by you. For I lacked nothing of the highest apostles, if even I am nothing. 12 Truly the signs of the apostle were worked out among you in all patience, in miracles and in wonders, and by works of power. 13 For what is it in which you were inferior to the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong.
14 Behold, a third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not burden you, for I do not seek your things, but you. For the children ought not to lay up treasure for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls, even if loving you more and more, I am loved the less. 16 But let it be so, I did not burden you. But being crafty, I caught you with bait. 17 By any whom I have sent to you, did I overreach you by him? 18 I begged Titus and sent with him the brother. Did Titus overreach you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?
19 Again, do you think we are defending ourselves to you? We speak before God in Christ, but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your building up. 20 For I fear, lest somehow coming I might not find you as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you might not wish; lest somehow there be strifes, envyings, angers, contentions, backbitings, whisperings, proud thoughts, tumults; 21 lest in my coming again my God will humble me with you; and I shall mourn many who have already sinned, and not repenting over the uncleanness, and fornication, and lustfulness which they have practiced.