2 Corinthians 12:18

I desired (RV 'exhorted') Titus] This visit of Titus must have been made at an earlier period than that referred to in 2 Corinthians 2:13 and 2 Corinthians 7:6 and that intimated in 2 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 8:17 as about to be made. There were evidently three visits of Titus to Corinth: (1) that here mentioned and referred to in 2 Corinthians 8:6 ('as he had begun'), during which he seems to have organised the collection; (2) that referred to in 2 Corinthians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 7:6, when he went to quell the rebellion, bearing this very letter (2 Corinthians 10-13); (3) that referred to in 2 Corinthians 8:6; 2 Corinthians 8:17, when he conveyed 2 Corinthians 1-9. See Intro.

(d) 12:19-13:10. Warnings against Evil and Exhortations to Holiness

The Apostle reminds them that he is not pleading his cause before them, but writing for their edification.

Paraphrase. '(19) Do you think that all I have been writing is a defence of my conduct to satisfy you? It is not you, but God, who will judge me. What I have written is for the purpose of helping you to strengthen character and raise the standard of Christian life. (20) I am afraid lest when I visit you I find you unrepentant and obstinate, and I have to use severity. I am afraid lest the dark passions and vices I reproved still disfigure the Church, (21) and lest I be distressed and humiliated by the impenitence and shamelessness of those who were given to sensual sins and still continue their evil habits.'