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:
For - cause why they needed to be thus spoken to "for their edification" - namely, his fear that at his coming he should find them 'not such as he would,' and so be found by them 'such as they would not' like-namely, severe in punishing misconduct.
Debates - `contentions' х ereis (G2046)], B Delta G f g, Vulgate. But 'Aleph (') A х eris (G2054), singular] 'contention.'
Envyings. So 'Aleph (') f g, Vulgate. But A B Delta G read 'envying.'
Strifes - `intrigues,' 'factious schemes' х eritheiai (G2052)] (Wahl). Ambitious self seeking [from erithos, 'a worker for hire'].
Backbitings, whisperings - open 'slanderings' х katalaliai (G2636)] and 'whispering backbitings' (Romans 1:29-30; Galatians 5:20).
Swellings - arrogant elation; puffing up of yourselves (Jude 1:16; 2 Peter 2:18).