2 Corinthians 6:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections.

NIV: We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.

NASB: You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.

CSB: We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us.

NLT: There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us.

KJV: Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

NKJV: You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.

In the previous verse, Paul declared that despite any conflict between him and the Corinthians—and the fact that he has spoken very frankly—his heart remains wide open to them. He has not lost any of his affection for them.

Now he writes that the same is not true of their feelings for him and his co-workers for Christ. They are restricted in their affections for Paul and the other ministers or the gospel. Paul insists such a decline is not coming from him and his associates. It is coming from the Corinthians. They have reduced their affection, likely based on the misinformation campaign of the false apostles or others among them.

Or, perhaps, some of the Corinthians simply resented Paul's corrections and rebukes. They might have been bitter over being challenged to turn back to the right belief and practice. The next chapter will show that at least some still long for Paul, value his ministry, and recognize his authority.

Second Corinthians 6:1–13 contains Paul commendation of himself and his co-workers to the Corinthians. He offers evidence that they have not been false apostles. They have faithfully represented Christ through every kind of suffering and God's power has been obvious in and through them. He declares that they have been faultless and urges the Corinthians not to miss the day of God's salvation through faith in Christ. He states warmly that his heart remains wide open to the church in Corinth and asks them to open their hearts to him again.

This passage appeals to the Corinthians not to miss the day of salvation. Paul insists that he and those who work with him have done nothing to keep anyone from believing in Christ. He points to the evidence that he has been a true apostle and representative of Christ and asks the Corinthians to open their hearts to him again. He commands them not to harness themselves to unbelievers since Christ can have nothing to do with Satan or darkness. God lives in them through the Holy Spirit, so they must separate from everything that is opposed to God.

Second Corinthians 6 is set up by the message of God's grace for sinners as spelled it out in the previous chapter. Paul begs the Corinthians not to receive it in vain. He declares that he and his team have done nothing to keep them from believing in Christ. Parallel to this, he commands the Corinthians not to be harnessed to unbelievers. This leads into a passionate discussion of affliction and comfort in chapter 7.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.

Accessed 4/27/2024 9:08:04 AM