“I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.”
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 — Paul clarifies: his statements are not condemnatory but affectionate. The Corinthians are inscribed on his heart (sy chōreisthe en tais kardiais hēmōn); he is willing to die with them. Extreme devotion.
Church Fathers on 2 Corinthians 7:3
Again he raises the discourse about love, mitigating the harshness of his rebuke. For since he had convicted and reproached them as being beloved indeed, yet not loving in an equal degree, but breaking away from his love and mixing up with other pestilent fellows; again he softens the vehemence of his rebuke, saying, “Make room for us,” that is, “love us;” and prays to receive a favor involving no burden, and advantaging them that confer above them that receive it. And he…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
Publish a reflection on this verse
No reflections on this verse yet. Be the first to write one!