2 Corinthians 7 3

2 Corinthians 7:3 kjv

I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

2 Corinthians 7:3 nkjv

I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.

2 Corinthians 7:3 niv

I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you.

2 Corinthians 7:3 esv

I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.

2 Corinthians 7:3 nlt

I'm not saying this to condemn you. I said before that you are in our hearts, and we live or die together with you.

2 Corinthians 7 verses

2 Corinthians 7 3 Meaning

Paul assures the Corinthians that his stern previous words were not intended to condemn or pass judgment on them, but rather stemmed from deep love and unwavering commitment. He reiterates his profound affection, stating that they are so intricately intertwined with his very being that he envisions a shared destiny with them, through life's joys and sorrows, even to the point of dying and living together for the sake of the Gospel. This declaration underscores his pastoral heart, aiming for their restoration and edification, not their destruction.

2 Corinthians 7 3 Context

This verse is situated in a pivotal section of Paul's second letter to the Corinthian church (chapters 2-7), which primarily deals with his reconciliation with them after a period of intense strain and misunderstanding. Earlier in the letter (likely chapter 2, and implicitly referencing a "painful letter" he had previously sent, perhaps a lost letter or parts of 1 Corinthians), Paul had expressed severe grief over the Corinthians' conduct and had delivered sharp rebukes. Their response, as reported by Titus, was godly sorrow leading to repentance, which brought immense joy to Paul (2 Cor 7:4-7).

In 2 Cor 7:2, Paul urges them to "make room for us in your hearts," indicating some remaining distance or misunderstanding. Verse 3 serves as Paul's clarification and re-affirmation of his unadulterated love and true intentions. He assures them that his strong words were never about final judgment or a desire to discredit them, but were born out of the deepest pastoral affection and an unbreakable bond he shared with them. The historical backdrop includes the volatile relationship between Paul, the founding apostle, and the often factious, spiritually immature, yet beloved Corinthian congregation. Paul sought to heal the breach, reaffirm his apostolic authority (which some questioned), and restore the church to sound doctrine and holy living, all while assuring them of his enduring commitment.

2 Corinthians 7 3 Word analysis

• I do not say this (Οὐ λέγω τοῦτο - Ou legō touto)
  • "I do not say": Paul explicitly clarifies his purpose and motivation. This phrase emphasizes his intention not to accuse or diminish their standing before God.
• to condemn you (πρὸς κατάκρισιν ὑμῖν - pros katakrisin hymin)
  • "condemn" (κατάκρισιν - katakrisin): This Greek term is strong, meaning a judgment against someone, a damnation, or a decisive legal conviction. Paul wants to ensure they understand that his admonition was not about their final standing, nor was it meant to pass a harsh, irreversible judgment on their spiritual state. Instead, it was corrective and restorative. It draws a clear boundary between pastoral rebuke and ultimate divine condemnation.
• for I have said before (προείρηκα γάρ - proeirēka gar)
  • "for" (γάρ - gar): Connects the two clauses, explaining the reason for his statement.
  • "have said before" (προείρηκα - proeirēka): This verb is in the perfect tense, suggesting an action completed in the past with ongoing effects. It likely refers to earlier statements in this letter (e.g., 2 Cor 6:11-13 where he says his "heart is wide open" to them) or possibly previous correspondence. It highlights the consistency of Paul's affection, despite the sternness of his temporary correction. He is reiterating a core, continuous truth about his relationship with them.
• that you are in our hearts (ὅτι ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν ἐστε - hoti en tais kardiais hēmōn este)
  • "in our hearts" (ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ἡμῶν - en tais kardiais hēmōn): The heart, in biblical and ancient Semitic/Greek thought, is the core of the human being – the seat of emotions, will, intellect, and character, not just a physical organ. When Paul says they are "in our hearts," he signifies a deep, integral affection and bond. This is a profound statement of identification and personal investment. The plural "our" implies Paul and his fellow workers (e.g., Timothy, Titus) share this unified affection.
• to die together and to live together (εἰς τὸ συναποθανεῖν καὶ συνζῆν - eis to synapothanein kai synzēn)
  • "to die together" (συναποθανεῖν - synapothanein): Formed from syn- (together with) and apothnēskō (to die). This powerfully conveys shared fate, absolute solidarity, and profound loyalty, even in the face of death. It could refer to facing persecution, suffering, or ultimate demise in their shared commitment to Christ.
  • "and to live together" (καὶ συνζῆν - kai synzēn): Formed from syn- (together with) and zaō (to live). This completes the sentiment of an inseparable bond in all aspects of life – shared joys, purposes, struggles, and the common hope in Christ.
  • Significance: This entire phrase is an ancient idiom expressing the highest level of devotion, common in deep friendships, marriage vows, or military loyalty pacts. Paul adapts this profound cultural understanding to the spiritual bond he shares with the Corinthian believers. It underscores the profound theological truth of believers being united with Christ, and thus with each other, in both His death and resurrection life. It effectively counters any suggestion that Paul considered them separate or expendable, reinforcing their eternal and mutual commitment.

Words-group analysis:

• "I do not say this to condemn you; for I have said before": This introductory statement is crucial for setting the tone. Paul quickly assures the Corinthians that his motive is pure and consistent. His firm past communications, while perhaps painful, were always aimed at their well-being and not for the purpose of eternal condemnation. This directly addresses any lingering mistrust or feeling of being harshly judged by him.
• "that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together": This declaration is the core of Paul's assurance. It conveys the extraordinary depth of his bond with them. It speaks of a permanent, unshakeable spiritual and emotional identification. "To die together and to live together" signifies a covenant-like commitment – an ultimate pledge of loyalty, shared destiny, and profound solidarity in every circumstance, from the deepest suffering to the fullest experience of life, all rooted in their mutual relationship with Christ.

2 Corinthians 7 3 Bonus section

• Apostolic Pattern of Love and Authority: This verse exemplifies Paul's consistent pattern of exercising his apostolic authority (including correction) always within the framework of profound, pastoral love. He was keen to distinguish his disciplinary actions, however painful, from those motivated by personal vendetta or an attempt to exercise unloving power.
• Significance of "Our Hearts": The use of the plural "our" indicates that Paul, Timothy, Titus, and other fellow laborers shared this collective and deep affection for the Corinthian church. It shows a unified front in their spiritual leadership and love for the believers, rather than it being just Paul's isolated sentiment.
• The Shared Destiny in Christ: While the idiom "die together, live together" is cultural, for Paul and believers, it gains deeper meaning in light of their spiritual union with Christ (Rom 6:8; Col 3:3-4). Their ultimate death and life are in Christ, and through Him, they are fundamentally connected to fellow believers, sharing in the Body of Christ.

2 Corinthians 7 3 Commentary

Paul's declaration in 2 Corinthians 7:3 serves as a deeply moving reaffirmation of his unconditional love and commitment to the Corinthian believers, despite their past failures and his own necessary, stern admonitions. He explicitly clarifies that his previous harsh words were not spoken to condemn or disgrace them (a clear polemic against any who would interpret his discipline as judgment), but sprang from an overflow of genuine affection. The phrase "you are in our hearts to die together and to live together" is a potent, almost covenantal expression of unwavering loyalty and shared destiny. It portrays an inseparable bond, where Paul and his companions view themselves as inextricably linked to the Corinthians, willing to face life's ultimate challenges, even death, alongside them. This profound solidarity is rooted in their shared identity in Christ and underscores the redemptive and restorative purpose of apostolic discipline. It’s a powerful illustration of a spiritual leader balancing truthful correction with enduring, self-sacrificial love, seeing the beloved not as subjects for condemnation but as co-heirs of an eternal life.