For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: Paul voices pastoral anxiety about his upcoming third visit: mutual disappointment. I shall not find you such as I would—he fears finding them unchanged, still embracing false teaching and tolerating sin. Conversely, I shall be found unto you such as ye would not—they fear finding him stern, exercising apostolic discipline (13:2, "I will not spare") rather than the permissive teacher they prefer.
The vice catalog is devastating: eris (ἔρις, "debates," quarrels), zēlos (ζῆλος, "envyings," jealousies), thymoi (θυμοί, "wraths," outbursts of anger), eritheiai (ἐριθεῖαι, "strifes," selfish ambitions), katalalalai (καταλαλιαί, "backbitings," slander), psithyrismoi (ψιθυρισμοί, "whisperings," gossip), physioseis (φυσιώσεις, "swellings," arrogance), akatastasiai (ἀκαταστασίαι, "tumults," disorder). Eight relational sins—primarily speech sins (debates, backbitings, whisperings) and pride sins (envyings, swellings).
This list diagnoses the Corinthian church's ongoing dysfunction: they haven't resolved the factionalism from 1 Corinthians 1-4. Paul's fear is legitimate—without repentance, his third visit will require painful discipline instead of joyful fellowship.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Corinthian church struggled with division from its founding (1 Corinthians 1:10-17, 3:1-9). Despite Paul's severe letter and Titus's mission producing some repentance (7:8-11), deep-seated relational dysfunction persisted. Paul's catalog of sins (especially speech-related: backbiting, whispering, gossip) suggests the congregation remained fractious, gossipy, and proud—precisely the soil where false apostles thrived.