2 Corinthians 6:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

NIV: As a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts also.

NASB: Now in the same way in exchange—I am speaking as to children—open wide your hearts to us, you as well.

CSB: I speak as to my children; as a proper response, open your heart to us.

NLT: I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!

KJV: Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

NKJV: Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.

Paul has written that his heart, and the heart of his fellow workers for Christ, is wide open to the Corinthians. He means they have as much love and affection for the Christians in Corinth as they have ever had. This is regardless of any conflict between them or how freely he has written to them to clear up any disagreements.

The same is not true of the Corinthians, Paul has said. They have restricted their hearts toward him and his ministry partners. Either in resentment for correcting their spiritual errors, or because of the false teaching of some among them, at least some Corinthians had lost at least some of their love for Paul.

Paul now urges them to widen, or fully open, their hearts to him, as well. Paul says he speaks as to children, likely meaning he considers the Corinthians his spiritual children (1 Corinthians 4:14–15; 2 Corinthians 12:14–15). He wants to have a close, honest, and loving relationship with them as a good father does with his kids.

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 5/4/2024 1:27:05 PM