2 Corinthians 6:12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Corinthians 6:11-18

The apostle proceeds to address himself more particularly to the Corinthians, and cautions them against mingling with unbelievers. Here observe, I. How the caution is introduced with a profession, in a very pathetic manner, of the most tender affection to them, even like that of a father to his children, 2 Cor. 6:11-13. Though the apostle was happy in a great fluency of expressions, yet he seemed to want words to express the warm affections he had for these Corinthians. As if he had said, ?O... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:11-13

6:11-13 My dear Corinthians, we have spoken to you without keeping anything back. Our heart lies wide open to you. If there is any constraint between us, it lies, not in us, but in your hearts. Give me fair exchange. I speak as to children. Do you, too, open wide your hearts to us.... Make room for us in your hearts. Paul is speaking with the accents of purest love. The breaches are healed. The quarrels are all made up and love reigns supreme. The phrase that we have translated "Our heart... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 6:12

Ye are not straitened in us ,.... The meaning of which is, either you are not brought into straits and difficulties by us; we do not afflict and distress you, or fill you with anguish and trouble; but ye are straitened in your own bowels ; you are distressed by some among yourselves, who ought not to be with you, with whom you should have no fellowship and communion: or thus, you have room enough in our hearts, our hearts are so enlarged with love to you, that they are large enough to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:12

Ye are not straitened in us - That is, Ye have not a narrow place in our affections: the metaphor here is taken from the case of a person pent up in a small or narrow place, where there is scarcely room to breathe. Ye are straitened in your own bowels - I have not the same place in your affections which you have in mine. The bowels are used in Scripture to denote the most tender affections. See the note on Matthew 9:36 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:12

Verse 12 12.Ye are not straitened in us That is, “It is owing to your own fault that you are not able to share in this feeling of cheerfulness, which I entertain towards you. My mouth is opened, so that I deal familiarly with you, my very heart would willingly pour itself forth, (605) but you shut up your bowels.” He means to say, that it is owing to their corrupt judgment, that the things that he utters are not relished by them. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 6:1-18

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 6:11-18

An appeal to the Corinthians to reciprocate his love for them, and separate themselves from evil. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Corinthians 6:12

Ye are not straitened in us. Any narrowing of the sympathy or straining of the relations between us does not rise in any way from me. (For the verb, see 2 Corinthians 4:8 .) Ye are straitened in your own bowels; rather, in your own hearts . Any tightening or pressure of the feelings which should exist between us rises solely from your own hearts. Enlarge and open them, as I have done, and we shall once more love each other aright. The verb has already occurred in 2 Corinthians 4:8 ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:12

Ye are not straitened in us - That is, you do not possess a narrow or contracted place in our affections. We love you fully, ardently, and are ready to do all that can be done for your welfare. There is no lack of room in our affections toward you. It is not narrow, confined, pent up. It is ample and free.But ye are straitened in your own bowels - That is, in the affections of your hearts. The word used here (σπλάγχνα splangchna) commonly means in the Bible the tender affections. The Greek... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 2 Corinthians 6:11-13

2 Corinthians 6:11-13 . From the praise of the Christian ministry, which he began chapter 2 Corinthians 2:14, he now draws his affectionate exhortation. O ye Corinthians He seldom uses this appellation; but it has here a peculiar force. Our mouth is opened unto you With uncommon freedom, because our heart is enlarged In tenderness, which neither words nor tears can sufficiently express. Ye are not straitened in us Our heart is wide enough to receive you all; and all that we can do for... read more

Group of Brands