2 Corinthians 6:12 NIV

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

The power of love (5:11-6:13)Because Paul knows that he is accountable to Christ, he knows what it means to fear the Lord, and this makes him more diligent in his service. God knows that his motives are pure and he trusts that the Corinthians know also (11).In making these statements, Paul is not trying to write a recommendation for himself. He is trying to give his supporters reason to be bold in defending him against those who criticize him (12). They may have seen him display his feelings in... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 2 Corinthians 6:12

not . Greek. ou . App-105 . straitened. Greek. stenochoremai. See 2 Corinthians 4:8 . bowels . Greek. splanchnon. The inward parts. Metaphorically, of the affections, the seat of which we regard as the heart. Figure of speech Catachresis . App-6 . Occurs here, 2 Corinthians 7:15 .Luke 1:78 . Acts 1:18 . Philippians 1:1 , Philippians 1:3 ; 1 Chronicles 3:12; 1 Chronicles 3:12 . Phm. 2 Corinthians 7:12 , 2Co 7:20 . 1 John 1:3 , 1Jn 1:17 . All metaph. save Acts 1:18 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:12

2 Corinthians 6:12. Ye are not straitened, &c.— "There is no want of kindness in our souls toward you; but, alas! there is reason to fear, concerning some of you at least, that yourown hearts are too much shut up, through the workings of unbelief, carnality, and coolness of affection, against us, and against the consolations which are in Christ for you, which suit your circumstances, and of whichwe would fain have you partakers." read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:12

12. Any constraint ye feel towards me, or narrowness of heart, is not from want of largeness of heart on my part towards you, but from want of it on your part towards me. bowels—that is, affections (compare 2 Corinthians 12:15). not straitened in us—that is, for want of room in our hearts to take you in. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Corinthians 6:11-13

The appeal stated 6:11-13On the basis of his preceding openness with the Corinthians, Paul exhorted them, on the ground of fair play, to respond toward him as he had behaved toward them. His open speech (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:12; 2 Corinthians 4:2) reflected his open heart. They had shown reserve, not because Paul had put them under bondage but because they doubted his integrity. He urged them to become unrestrained in their affection toward him as he had demonstrated that he was unrestrained in... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 2 Corinthians 6:11-16

C. Appeal for restoration of the Corinthians’ confidence in Paul 6:11-7:16The apostle now turned to a direct appeal for the Corinthians to reconcile with him in their hearts."The call for reconciliation with Paul, therefore, stands in parallel with the call for reconciliation with God [2 Corinthians 5:20]. While it would be too much to say that these two forms of reconciliation are equally important, for Paul they are directly linked with one another." [Note: Beverly R. Gaventa, "Apostle and... read more

John Darby

Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament - 2 Corinthians 6:12

6:12 affections; (b-13) Lit. 'bowels.' read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Corinthians 6:1-18

I, 2. Paraphrase. ’Now it is as coöperators with God in this work that we exhort you not to make the grace of God fruitless in your life by continuing in sin. (2) For God has told us in Scripture of a time of grace and of a day of salvation; and this is that blessed time of grace and that day of salvation.’1. Workers together with him] For the idea cp. 1 Corinthians 3:9. In vain] i.e. by an unholy life.2. He (i.e. God) saith] The v. is a parenthesis. The reference is to Isaiah 49:8, God’s words... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 2 Corinthians 6:12

(12) Ye are not straitened in us.—The word presents a natural contrast to the expansion, the dilatation, of heart of the previous verse. There was no narrowness in him. In that large heart of his there was room for them and for a thousand others. It had, as it were, an infinite elasticity in its sympathies. The narrowness was found in their own “bowels”—i.e., in their own affections. They would not make room for him in those hearts that were so straitened by passions, and prejudices, and... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 2 Corinthians 6:1-18

Unreality 2 Corinthians 6:1 The Apostle is here warning us against what we fear is a very common fault in the present day. So many people seem to receive the grace of God, but it has no influence upon their lives, they receive that grace in vain. I want to say a word or two about the importance of sincerity and reality in religion. If we profess to have any religion at all, let us take great care that it is real. By 'real' I mean that which is not base, hollow, formal, counterfeit, sham,... read more