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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 2 Corinthians 6:11–18. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
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, Co2 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 ye Corinthians, to whom I am now writing, I would fain convince you how well I love you: we are desirous to promote the spiritual and eternal welfare of all to whom we preach, yet our mouth is open unto you, and our heart is enlarged unto you, in a special manner." And, because his heart was thus enlarged with love to them, therefore he opened his mouth so freely to them in kind admonitions and exhortations: "You are not," says he, "straitened in us; we would gladly do you all the service we can, and promote your comfort, as helpers of your faith and your joy; and, if it be otherwise, the fault is in yourselves; it is because you are straitened in yourselves, and fail in suitable returns to us, through some misapprehensions concerning us; and all we desire as a recompense is only that you would be proportionably affected towards us, as children should love their father." Note, It is desirable that there should be a mutual good affection between ministers and their people, and this would greatly tend to their mutual comfort and advantage.
II.The caution or exhortation itself, not to mingle with unbelievers, not to be unequally yoked with them, Co2 6:14. Either,
1.In stated relations. It is wrong for good people to join in affinity with the wicked and profane; these will draw different ways, and that will be galling and grievous. Those relations that are our choice must be chosen by rule; and it is good for those who are themselves the children of God to join with those who are so likewise; for there is more danger that the bad will damage the good than hope that the good will benefit the bad.
2.In common conversation. We should not yoke ourselves in friendship and acquaintance with wicked men and unbelievers. Though we cannot wholly avoid seeing, and hearing, and being with such, yet we should never choose them for our bosom-friends.
3.Much less should we join in religious communion with them; we must not join with them in their idolatrous services, nor concur with them in their false worship, nor any abominations; we must not confound together the table of the Lord and the table of devils, the house of God and the house of Rimmon. The apostle gives several good reasons against this corrupt mixture.
(1.)It is a very great absurdity, Co2 6:14, Co2 6:15. It is an unequal yoking of things together that will not agree together; as bad as for the Jews to have ploughed with an ox and an ass or to have sown divers sorts of grain intermixed. What an absurdity is it to think of joining righteousness and unrighteousness, or mingling light and darkness, fire and water, together! Believers are, and should be, righteous; but unbelievers are unrighteous. Believers are made light in the Lord, but unbelievers are in darkness; and what comfortable communion can these have together? Christ and Belial are contrary one to the other; they have opposite interests and designs, so that it is impossible there should be any concord or agreement between them. It is absurd, therefore, to think of enlisting under both; and, if the believer has part with an infidel, he does what in him lies to bring Christ and Belial together.
(2.)It is a dishonour to the Christian's profession (Co2 6:16); for Christians are by profession, and should be in reality, the temples of the living God - dedicated to, and employed for, the service of God, who has promised to reside in them, to dwell and walk in them, to stand in a special relation to them, and take a special care of them, that he will be their God and they shall be his people. Now there can be no agreement between the temple of God and idols. Idols are rivals with God for his honour, and God is a jealous God, and will not give his glory to another.
(3.)There is a great deal of danger in communicating with unbelievers and idolators, danger of being defiled and of being rejected; therefore the exhortation is (Co2 6:17) to come out from among them, and keep at a due distance, to be separate, as one would avoid the society of those who have the leprosy or the plague, for fear of taking infection, and not to touch the unclean thing, lest we be defiled. Who can touch pitch, and not be defiled by it? We must take care not to defile ourselves by converse with those who defile themselves with sin; so is the will of God, as we ever hope to be received, and not rejected, by him.
(4.)It is base ingratitude to God for all the favours he has bestowed upon believers and promised to them, Co2 6:18. God has promised to be a Father to them, and that they shall be his sons and his daughters; and is there a greater honour or happiness than this? How ungrateful a thing then must it be if those who have this dignity and felicity should degrade and debase themselves by mingling with unbelievers! Do we thus requite the Lord, O foolish and unwise?
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
"Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own affections." And this reproof, see it administered with forbearance, as is the wont of such as love exceedingly. He did not say, 'ye do not love us,' but, 'not in the same measure,' for he does not wish to touch them too sensibly. 'You receive one,' he says, 'but I a whole city, and so great a population.' And he said not, 'ye do not receive us,' but, 'ye are straitened;' implying indeed the same thing but with forbearance and without touching them too deeply.
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Summary
In 2 Corinthians 6:12, the Apostle Paul expresses his profound, unrestricted affection for the Corinthian believers, asserting that any perceived distance or limitation in their relationship does not originate from him. Instead, he poignantly attributes the constriction to their own internal disposition, specifically their "bowels," a term signifying their inner affections, compassion, or capacity for love and openness. This verse serves as a tender yet direct plea for reciprocity in spiritual communion, highlighting Paul's pastoral heart and his desire for the Corinthians to reciprocate his expansive love and trust.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is nestled within a deeply personal and impassioned section of Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, where he defends his apostolic ministry and appeals for reconciliation and genuine fellowship. Immediately preceding this verse, in 2 Corinthians 6:11, Paul declares, "O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged." This sets up a powerful contrast: Paul's heart is wide open, but he senses a constriction on their part. The very next verse, 2 Corinthians 6:13, acts as a direct appeal for them to reciprocate: "Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged." The entire passage from 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 forms a cohesive unit, emphasizing Paul's vulnerability and his longing for an unhindered relationship with the church he founded. This appeal for open hearts then transitions into a strong warning against unequal yoking with unbelievers in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, suggesting that their "straitened bowels" might be linked to external influences or divided loyalties.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Corinthian church was a complex and often challenging congregation for Paul. Located in a bustling, cosmopolitan port city, it was exposed to diverse philosophical ideas, pagan religious practices, and moral laxity. Paul had faced significant opposition and slander from false apostles and factions within the church who questioned his authority, sincerity, and even his personal character. This letter, particularly this section, reflects Paul's ongoing struggle to maintain his pastoral relationship with them amidst these challenges. In ancient Greco-Roman thought, the "bowels" (or inner organs) were often considered the seat of emotions, particularly deep affection, compassion, and tenderness, much like the "heart" in modern Western thought. Therefore, Paul's reference to their "bowels" would have been readily understood as a reference to their innermost feelings and capacity for love and empathy, rather than a literal physiological condition.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 2 Corinthians and Paul's broader theology. It highlights the theme of Authentic Apostolic Ministry, as Paul consistently presents himself as transparent, vulnerable, and deeply committed to the Corinthians, contrasting his genuine care with the superficiality of his detractors. It underscores the importance of Reciprocity in Spiritual Relationships, emphasizing that true fellowship requires mutual openness, trust, and affection, not just one-sided devotion. Furthermore, it touches upon the theme of Spiritual Freedom vs. Internal Bondage, suggesting that while Paul offers unrestricted love and truth, the Corinthians' own internal issues—perhaps pride, prejudice, or worldly entanglements—are hindering their ability to receive and respond. This internal constriction prevents them from experiencing the full spiritual enlargement Paul desires for them, a concept also seen in Paul's desire for them to be "enlarged" in 2 Corinthians 10:15.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From the same root as stenochōría (distress, anguish), this verb means "to hem in closely," "to be in a narrow place," or "to cramp." Figuratively, it conveys the idea of being restricted, confined, or distressed. Paul uses it here to assert that there is no restriction or narrowness on his side concerning his affection, willingness to serve, or capacity to embrace the Corinthians. The limitation is not in his "space" for them.
Literally referring to the intestines or inner organs (like the heart, liver, lungs, etc.), this word is used figuratively in ancient Greek and Hebrew thought to denote the seat of deep emotions, particularly tender affections, compassion, pity, and mercy. When Paul says they are "straitened in your own bowels," he means that their own inner capacity for love, empathy, and openness—their deepest affections—are restricted or closed off, preventing them from fully receiving his love and ministry.
Verse Breakdown
"Ye are not straitened in us,"
Paul emphatically states that the source of any perceived constraint or lack of intimacy in their relationship does not lie with him or his ministry. His heart, as declared in the preceding verse, is "enlarged" and open to them without reservation. There is no lack of space, affection, or willingness on his part to embrace them fully. He is ready to pour out his love and spiritual gifts without hindrance.
"but ye are straitened in your own bowels."
This clause presents a sharp contrast, pinpointing the true source of the problem. The limitation is internal to the Corinthians themselves. Their "bowels," representing their deepest affections, capacity for compassion, and emotional openness, are "straitened" or constricted. This implies that their own prejudices, suspicions, worldly attachments, or perhaps a lack of reciprocal love and trust are preventing them from fully embracing Paul and his message. It is a tender yet direct accusation, revealing Paul's insight into their spiritual condition.
Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several literary devices in this concise verse. The primary device is Antithesis, where a stark contrast is drawn between Paul's expansive love ("not straitened in us") and the Corinthians' restricted affections ("straitened in your own bowels"). This juxtaposition highlights the core issue in their relationship and serves to underscore Paul's blamelessness in the matter. Furthermore, the use of Metonymy is evident in "bowels," where the physical organs are used to represent the abstract concept of deep emotions, compassion, and tender affections. This is a common biblical idiom that conveys a profound sense of inner feeling. Paul also uses Pathos, appealing to the Corinthians' emotions by expressing his genuine, unhindered love and lamenting their reciprocal lack of openness, aiming to evoke a sympathetic response and a change of heart.
Theological and Thematic Connections
This verse powerfully articulates the divine principle that genuine spiritual communion and growth require an open and receptive heart. Paul's unrestricted love for the Corinthians mirrors God's own boundless love for humanity, which is never limited on His part, but often constrained by human unresponsiveness. The "straitening" in their "bowels" signifies a spiritual condition where internal barriers—such as pride, suspicion, or worldly attachments—hinder the free flow of divine love and truth. This concept aligns with the biblical emphasis on the heart as the wellspring of life and the primary locus of spiritual transformation, highlighting that true fellowship with God and others necessitates an inner posture of openness and vulnerability.
Reflection and Application
Paul's poignant words in 2 Corinthians 6:12 serve as a profound invitation for self-examination in our own relationships, both with God and with others. Are we, like the Corinthians, "straitened in our own bowels"? Do we harbor prejudices, past hurts, or a lack of forgiveness that prevents us from fully receiving love, grace, or truth from those who genuinely offer it? This verse challenges us to consider if our hearts are truly open to God's expansive love, to the messages He sends through His servants, and to the needs and affections of those around us. A closed heart, whether due to cynicism, pride, fear, or unresolved bitterness, creates a spiritual bottleneck, hindering not only our capacity to give love but also to receive it fully. Just as Paul longed for the Corinthians to "be enlarged" in their affections, we are called to cultivate an expansive, tender heart, ready to embrace, forgive, and love without reservation, allowing the Spirit of God to flow freely through us and into our relationships.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does Paul mean by "straitened in your own bowels"?
When Paul says, "Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels," he is using a vivid metaphor to explain the source of the relational distance between himself and the Corinthian church. "Straitened" (Greek: stenochōréō) means to be restricted, confined, or in a narrow place. Paul asserts that there is no restriction or lack of space in his heart or affection for them. The problem, he says, lies within their "bowels" (Greek: splánchnon). In ancient thought, the "bowels" referred to the inner organs and were considered the seat of deep emotions, particularly tender affections, compassion, and empathy. Therefore, "straitened in your own bowels" means that their own inner capacity for love, openness, and reciprocal affection was constricted or closed off. It implies that their own internal issues—perhaps suspicion, prejudice, or a lack of trust—were preventing them from fully embracing Paul's love and ministry. Paul's desire was for them to "be enlarged" in their hearts, as he states in 2 Corinthians 6:13.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The profound truth of 2 Corinthians 6:12—Paul's open heart contrasting with the Corinthians' constricted affections—finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect expression in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ's love for humanity is never "straitened"; it is boundless, unconditional, and offered without reservation. His "bowels of mercies" (a phrase used elsewhere, as in Colossians 3:12) were perfectly open, leading Him to the cross to reconcile a world that was "straitened" by sin and rebellion. Humanity, in its fallen state, is inherently "straitened in its own bowels," unable to fully receive or reciprocate God's love due to pride, self-sufficiency, and spiritual blindness. Yet, Christ's sacrifice on the cross broke down these internal barriers, offering a new covenant where hearts of stone are replaced with hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26). Through His Spirit, believers are empowered to have "the love of God shed abroad in their hearts" (Romans 5:5), enabling them to love God and one another with an enlarged, unhindered affection, reflecting the very heart of Christ, who "loved us and gave himself for us" (Ephesians 5:2).