2 Corinthians 6:13 kjv
Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
2 Corinthians 6:13 nkjv
Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.
2 Corinthians 6:13 niv
As a fair exchange?I speak as to my children?open wide your hearts also.
2 Corinthians 6:13 esv
In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.
2 Corinthians 6:13 nlt
I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!
2 Corinthians 6 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor. 6:11 | Our mouth is open unto you, O Corinthians, our heart is enlarged. | Direct reciprocal plea |
| Rom. 1:11 | For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; | Apostle's longing and purpose |
| Phil. 1:8 | For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ. | Deep affection and longing |
| Gal. 4:19 | My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, | Parental analogy for spiritual care |
| 1 Thess. 2:8 | So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you not the gospel of God only, but also our own lives, because ye were dear unto us. | Willingness to give all |
| Acts 16:14 | And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things spoken of Paul. | Divine enabling of receptive heart |
| Eph. 3:18 | May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; | Experiencing the full measure of Christ |
| 1 Cor. 2:10 | But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. | Spirit's revelation |
| John 14:23 | If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. | Reciprocal love and presence |
| 1 John 4:19 | We love him, because he first loved us. | Love originates from God |
| Jer. 31:33 | But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the LORD; I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. | New Covenant inward change |
| Eze. 11:19 | And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: | God's gift of a new heart |
| Heb. 8:10 | For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them on their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be my people: | New Covenant described |
| Song of Sol. 5:4 | My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him. | Passionate response of love |
| Acts 14:21 | And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many disciples, they returned again unto Lystra, and unto Iconium, and Antioch: | Evangelistic effort |
| 2 Cor. 1:4 | Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. | Comforting others |
| Col. 2:2 | That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, even Christ; | Unity in love |
| Eph. 4:31 | Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: | Call to put away negative emotions |
| Col. 3:14 | And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. | Love as the perfect bond |
| 1 Peter 4:8 | And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. | Fervent charity |
| Phil. 4:1 | Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. | Exhortation to stand firm |
| 2 Cor. 7:16 | I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things. | Paul's confidence in Corinthians |
| Rom. 12:15 | Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. | Empathy and shared experience |
2 Corinthians 6 verses
2 Corinthians 6 13 Meaning
This verse addresses a plea for open-heartedness and expanded capacity within the Corinthian believers towards the apostle Paul and his companions. It calls for a reciprocal affection, emphasizing that the apostle's own heart is not constricted but, rather, the believers' hearts are comparatively closed.
2 Corinthians 6 13 Context
Second Corinthians chapter 6 concludes Paul's impassioned defense of his apostolic ministry against severe opposition and slander in Corinth. He has detailed his sufferings, his integrity, and his fervent desire for reconciliation and spiritual growth among the believers. This specific verse follows the preceding encouragement for the Corinthians to separate themselves from pagan entanglements (6:14-17). It serves as a transition, appealing directly to their emotional and relational connection with him, highlighting a perceived imbalance where his heart is fully open to them, but theirs, by implication, is not as expansive toward him. The entire chapter, and indeed the letter, is situated in a volatile situation where Paul’s authority and authenticity are being challenged by “super-apostles” or false teachers who are offering a different gospel and projecting a superior image.
2 Corinthians 6 13 Word Analysis
"My children," (Greek: tekna - τέκνα)
- Signifies a deep, affectionate, paternal relationship, more than mere offspring.
- Highlights Paul's spiritual fatherhood, implying a deep personal investment and care.
- Similar usage in Galatians 4:19 and 1 Corinthians 4:14-15.
"I speak as to my children;" (Greek: lalo hymin oses eis tchna - λαλῶ ὑμῖν ὡς εἰς τέκνα)
- The phrasing underscores a tender and earnest communication, befitting a father speaking to his beloved children.
- This mode of address indicates Paul's desire for intimacy and acceptance.
"Open your hearts also to us." (Greek: anoixate kai hymeis tas kardias hymōn - ἀνοίξατε καὶ ὑμεῖς τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν)
- Anoixate (ἀνοίξατε): "open wide." It's an imperative, a command or a strong plea for action.
- Hymeis (ὑμεῖς): "you also," "you yourselves." Emphasizes that the action is expected reciprocally.
- Tasn (τὰς): definite article, "the."
- Kardias (καρδίας): plural of kardia (καρδία), meaning "heart." Here, it refers not just to a physical organ, but to the seat of affections, will, intellect, and inner life.
- The plea is for their inner disposition, their capacity for love and fellowship, to be enlarged and opened towards Paul and his associates.
Word-group analysis: The entire phrase "open your hearts also to us" conveys a direct appeal for a mirroring of the apostle’s own affection and openness. It’s a call to widen their emotional and spiritual receptivity.
2 Corinthians 6 13 Bonus Section
The reference to opening one's heart often involves divine enablement. In Acts 16:14, Lydia's heart was opened by the Lord to respond to Paul's message. This verse by Paul can be seen as a human appeal, encouraging the Corinthians to yield their hearts willingly to the Spirit's work of love and openness, aligning with God's desire for unity and mutual love within the body of Christ. It calls for active participation in spiritual growth, rather than passive reception. The "enlarged heart" mentioned in verse 11 implies a capacity created by God that Paul feels is not being fully utilized or directed towards him and his ministry by the Corinthians.
2 Corinthians 6 13 Commentary
Paul’s plea in this verse is rooted in his profound pastoral love for the Corinthian church. He contrasts his own unreserved affection and concern for them with what he perceives as a lack of reciprocal openness from their side. The imagery of "children" signifies his fatherly role, emphasizing the spiritual birth and nurture he provided. The core of the message is an urgent invitation for them to expand their hearts, meaning their capacity for love, understanding, and fellowship, to include him and his team. This open-heartedness is crucial for the healthy continuation of their spiritual relationship and the effective work of the gospel among them, especially given the challenging circumstances and the opposition they faced. It highlights that authentic Christian fellowship requires mutual affection and responsiveness.