For I fear lest somehow, coming, I not find you as I wish, and I be found by you such as you do not wish; lest somehow there be strifes, envyings, angers, intrigues, evil speakings, slanders, puffings up, disturbances;
Because of this, I write these things while absent, that being present I may not deal severelywith you according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for destruction.
Test yourselves, whether you are in the faith; examine yourselves. Or do you not yourselves perceive that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are disapproved?