2 Corinthians 6:13

KJV

Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto [my] children,) be ye also enlarged.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now {G1161} for a recompence {G489} in the same {G846},(I speak {G3004} as {G5613} unto my children {G5043},) be {G4115} ye {G5210} also {G2532} enlarged {G4115}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So, just to be “fair” (I am using the language of children), open wide your hearts too.

Berean Standard Bible

As a fair exchange, I ask you as my children: Open wide your hearts also.

American Standard Version

Now for a recompense in like kind (I speak as unto my children), be ye also enlarged.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Paul's concluding exhortation in 2 Corinthians 6:13 serves as a tender yet direct appeal for the Corinthian believers to reciprocate the open-hearted affection and spiritual generosity he has shown them. Framing his request with the intimate language of a father addressing his children, Paul urges them to expand their own hearts, removing any self-imposed constraints or suspicions that might hinder genuine fellowship and mutual love within the Christian community. This verse encapsulates a call for spiritual openness and relational reciprocity, essential for healthy church life.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse acts as the culmination of Paul's personal appeal to the Corinthians, immediately following his passionate declaration of open-heartedness in [2 Corinthians 6:11-12](/2_corinthians/6-11-12 "2 Corinthians 6:11-12 - Paul's Open Heart to the Corinthians"). In these preceding verses, Paul states, "O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels." He contrasts his own expansive affection with their perceived constriction, setting the stage for his plea in [2 Corinthians 6:13](/2_corinthians/6-13 "2 Corinthians 6:13 - Paul's Call for Reciprocity") for them to "be ye also enlarged." This section transitions directly into a strong exhortation against being unequally yoked with unbelievers in [2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1](/2_corinthians/6-14-7-1 "2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 - The Call to Separation and Purity"), suggesting that their "straitened" hearts might be linked to their entanglements with the world. Thus, [2 Corinthians 6:13](/2_corinthians/6-13 "2 Corinthians 6:13 - Paul's Call for Reciprocity") serves as a bridge, inviting them to relational openness as a prerequisite for spiritual purity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan port city, notorious for its wealth, diverse population, and prevalent immorality, including various pagan cults and philosophical schools. The Corinthian church, though gifted, struggled with internal divisions, pride, immorality, and a tendency to evaluate spiritual leaders based on worldly wisdom and rhetorical skill rather than spiritual authenticity. Paul's ministry among them had faced criticism and challenge from rival teachers, leading to a strained relationship. His letters, including [2 Corinthians](/2_corinthians/1 "2 Corinthians - Paul's Second Letter to the Corinthians"), reflect his ongoing efforts to defend his apostolic authority, clarify his motives, and restore genuine fellowship. The cultural emphasis on rhetoric and social status likely contributed to the Corinthians' critical stance toward Paul, who often presented himself in humility and weakness, contrary to their expectations of a powerful leader. His appeal for an "enlarged" heart is thus a call to transcend these cultural biases and embrace a spiritual understanding of relationships.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Corinthians 6:13](/2_corinthians/6-13 "2 Corinthians 6:13 - Paul's Call for Reciprocity") significantly contributes to several overarching themes in the epistle. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **reconciliation and restoration** within the church, as Paul seeks to mend the fractured relationship between himself and the Corinthians. His open heart and call for reciprocity are central to this. Secondly, it highlights **authentic Christian fellowship**, emphasizing mutual love, trust, and vulnerability as foundational elements, echoing the unity Paul often champions (e.g., [1 Corinthians 1:10](/1_corinthians/1-10 "1 Corinthians 1:10 - Call for Unity")). Thirdly, the verse reinforces Paul's **paternal affection and spiritual authority** as he addresses them as "my children," a recurring motif that emphasizes his deep care for their spiritual maturity and well-being (e.g., [1 Corinthians 4:15](/1_corinthians/4-15 "1 Corinthians 4:15 - Paul as a Spiritual Father")). Finally, the concept of "enlargement" points to the theme of **spiritual growth and maturity**, urging believers to expand their capacity for love, understanding, and acceptance, moving beyond narrow-mindedness or suspicion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **recompence (Greek, _antimisthía'_):** This noun, derived from a compound meaning "in return for" and "wages/reward," signifies a requital or correspondence. In this context, it's not about earning a reward, but about a reciprocal action. Paul is asking for a "return" or "correspondence" in the same measure of openness and love he has already extended to them. It implies a mutual exchange, a fitting response to his own enlarged heart.
* **children (Greek, _téknon'_):** This term literally means "a child as produced," emphasizing a direct relationship of spiritual parentage. Paul uses this intimate and affectionate address to highlight his deep, paternal care and spiritual authority over the Corinthian believers, whom he had brought to faith. It underscores the tenderness and genuine concern underlying his exhortation, appealing to their filial duty and love.
* **enlarged (Greek, _platýnō'_):** Derived from a root meaning "wide" or "broad," this verb means "to widen, to make broad, to enlarge." Paul uses it to describe his own heart in [2 Corinthians 6:11](/2_corinthians/6-11 "2 Corinthians 6:11 - Paul's Open Heart") and here as an imperative for the Corinthians. It metaphorically refers to expanding one's capacity for love, affection, understanding, and acceptance, moving away from a state of constriction, narrow-mindedness, or suspicion. It's a call to open their hearts fully to Paul, to one another, and ultimately to God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now for a recompence in the same":** Paul initiates his appeal by stating the purpose of his request: he desires a "recompense" or "return" in the same manner that he has already demonstrated. Having opened his heart and spoken freely to them, he expects a corresponding openness from their side. This sets up the expectation of reciprocity in their relationship.
* **"(I speak as unto [my] children,)":** Paul interjects a parenthetical statement, clarifying the nature of his appeal. By addressing them as "my children," he emphasizes his spiritual fatherhood and the deep, tender affection he holds for them. This softens the command, framing it not as a demand from an authority figure, but as a loving request from a concerned parent for the well-being and maturity of his offspring. It also implicitly reminds them of their spiritual debt to him as the one who brought them the gospel.
* **"be ye also enlarged.":** This is the core exhortation. Following his own example of an "enlarged heart" ([2 Corinthians 6:11](/2_corinthians/6-11 "2 Corinthians 6:11 - Paul's Open Heart")), Paul commands the Corinthians to likewise "be enlarged." This passive imperative suggests that they should allow their hearts to be expanded, implying a removal of self-imposed limitations, suspicions, or prejudices that were "straitening" them. It is a call to broaden their affections, deepen their trust, and fully embrace Paul and one another in mutual love and fellowship.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Parenthesis** is evident in the phrase "(I speak as unto [my] children,)", which interjects a personal and relational clarification into the main exhortation, softening the command and emphasizing Paul's genuine affection. **Metaphor** is central to the concept of the "enlarged" heart, which is not a literal physical expansion but a figurative representation of an expanded capacity for love, understanding, and acceptance. This imagery contrasts with the "straitened" or constricted heart mentioned in [2 Corinthians 6:12](/2_corinthians/6-12 "2 Corinthians 6:12 - Corinthians' Straitened Hearts"), creating a powerful **antithesis** between Paul's open heart and their closed one. The phrase "for a recompence in the same" also implies **reciprocity**, highlighting the mutual nature of healthy relationships and the expectation of a corresponding response to Paul's demonstrated love.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[2 Corinthians 6:13](/2_corinthians/6-13 "2 Corinthians 6:13 - Paul's Call for Reciprocity") powerfully articulates the New Testament's emphasis on genuine, reciprocal love and open fellowship within the body of Christ. Paul's appeal for the Corinthians to "be enlarged" reflects a foundational theological truth: that Christian maturity involves an ever-expanding capacity for love, grace, and acceptance, mirroring God's boundless love for humanity. This enlargement is not merely emotional but spiritual, enabling believers to overcome divisions, suspicion, and self-centeredness, fostering true unity and mutual edification. It underscores that authentic Christian relationships are characterized by vulnerability, trust, and a willingness to extend and receive affection, moving beyond superficial interactions to deep, Spirit-empowered communion.

* [Romans 12:10](/romans/12-10 "Romans 12:10 - Brotherly Love")
* [Philippians 2:1-4](/philippians/2-1-4 "Philippians 2:1-4 - Humility and Unity")
* [1 John 4:7-8](/1_john/4-7-8 "1 John 4:7-8 - God is Love")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's heartfelt plea in [2 Corinthians 6:13](/2_corinthians/6-13 "2 Corinthians 6:13 - Paul's Call for Reciprocity") remains profoundly relevant for believers today, challenging us to cultivate a spirit of radical openness and generous love. In a world often marked by suspicion, divisiveness, and emotional guardedness, the call to "be enlarged" is a counter-cultural imperative. It urges us to actively dismantle the walls we build around our hearts—walls of prejudice, past hurts, fear of vulnerability, or self-protection—and instead, to embrace a posture of expansive affection towards God, fellow believers, and even those outside the faith. This means extending grace, offering forgiveness, seeking understanding, and being willing to be known, just as Paul was known to the Corinthians. An enlarged heart is a Spirit-filled heart, capable of reflecting the boundless love of Christ and fostering genuine, life-giving community.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or relationships do I find my heart "straitened" or constricted, and what might be the underlying reasons?**
* **How can I intentionally practice extending an "enlarged" heart to those I find difficult to love or understand?**
* **What practical steps can I take to foster greater openness, trust, and reciprocity in my relationships within the church community?**
* **How does an "enlarged heart" contribute to my spiritual growth and my capacity to receive and share God's love?**

### FAQ

**What does Paul mean by "enlarged" in this context?**

Answer: When Paul asks the Corinthians to "be enlarged," he is using a metaphor to describe an expansion of their capacity for love, affection, understanding, and acceptance. Just as he states his own heart is "enlarged" in [2 Corinthians 6:11](/2_corinthians/6-11 "2 Corinthians 6:11 - Paul's Open Heart"), he is urging them to remove any self-imposed emotional or spiritual constraints, such as suspicion, prejudice, or narrow-mindedness, that might be hindering their full fellowship with him and with one another. It's a call to open their hearts fully to reciprocal love and trust within the Christian community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While [2 Corinthians 6:13](/2_corinthians/6-13 "2 Corinthians 6:13 - Paul's Call for Reciprocity") is a direct pastoral appeal for relational reciprocity, it finds its ultimate fulfillment and pattern in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Christ Himself is the embodiment of the "enlarged heart," demonstrating boundless love, acceptance, and self-giving. His incarnation was the ultimate act of God's heart being "enlarged" towards humanity, bridging the infinite gap between Creator and created ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World")). On the cross, Jesus's heart was fully "enlarged" in suffering love, taking upon Himself the sin of the world to reconcile us to God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). His resurrection and ascension signify His continued, expansive reign, inviting all to come to Him with open hearts ([Matthew 11:28](/matthew/11-28 "Matthew 11:28 - Come to Me")). As believers, our capacity to "be enlarged" is a direct result of Christ's work in us through the Holy Spirit, enabling us to love with His love and extend the same grace and acceptance we have received from Him ([Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - Love Poured Out")). Thus, Paul's exhortation is not merely a humanistic call for niceness, but a Spirit-empowered invitation to participate in the very expansive, reconciling love of Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 John 3:18

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

3 John 1:4

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

1 Thessalonians 2:11

As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father [doth] his children,

1 Corinthians 4:14

¶ I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn [you].

1 Corinthians 4:15

For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet [have ye] not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

1 John 3:7

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

1 John 2:1

¶ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: