it is all with a view to your progress in goodness.
012:020 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may not find you to be
what I desire, and that you may find me to be what you do not desire;
that perhaps there may be contention, jealousy, bitter feeling,
party spirit, ill-natured talk, backbiting, undue eulogy, unrest;
012:021 and that upon re-visiting you I may be humbled by my God
in your presence, and may have to mourn over many whose
hearts still cling to their old sins, and who have not
repented of the impurity, fornication, and gross sensuality,
of which they have been guilty.
013:001 This intended visit of mine is my third visit to you.
"On the evidence of two or three witnesses every charge
shall be sustained."
013:002 Those who cling to their old sins, and indeed all of you,
I have forewarned and still forewarn (as I did on my second
visit when present, so I do now, though absent) that, when I
come again, I shall not spare you;
013:003 since you want a practical proof of the fact that Christ
speaks by my lips--He who is not feeble towards you,
but powerful among you.
013:004 For though it is true that He was crucified through weakness,
yet He now lives through the power of God. We also are weak,
sharing His weakness, but with Him we shall be full of life
to deal with you through the power of God.
013:005 Test yourselves to discover whether you are true believers:
put your own selves under examination. Or do you not know
that Jesus Christ is within you, unless you are insincere?
013:006 But I trust that you will recognize that we are not insincere.
013:007 And our prayer to God is that you may do nothing wrong;
not in order that our sincerity may be demonstrated,