2 Corinthians 6:11
Verse
Context
Sermons
Stewart Ruch
David Wilkerson
A.B. Simpson
Phil Beach Jr.
Daniel SteeleSummary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you - I speak to you with the utmost freedom and fluency, because of my affection for you. Our heart is enlarged - It is expanded to take you and all your interests in; and to keep you in the most affectionate remembrance. The preceding verses contain a very fine specimen of a very powerful and commanding eloquence.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
mouth . . . open unto you--I use no concealment, such as some at Corinth have insinuated (Co2 4:2). I use all freedom and openness of speech to you as to beloved friends. Hence he introduces here, "O Corinthians" (compare Phi 4:15). The enlargement of his heart towards them (Co2 7:3) produced his openness of mouth, that is, his unreserved expression of his inmost feelings. As an unloving man is narrow in heart, so the apostle's heart is enlarged by love, so as to take in his converts at Corinth, not only with their graces, but with their many shortcomings (compare Kg1 4:29; Psa 119:32; Isa 60:5).
John Gill Bible Commentary
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 hold you all; an expression, setting forth the exceeding great love, and strong affection the apostle bore to the Corinthians; when, on the other hand, they had but very little love to him comparatively; he had a heart to hold them all without being straitened for room; and among all them they could scarce find room enough in their hearts and affections for him.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
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?
Tyndale Open Study Notes
6:11-13 Paul’s impassioned plea reveals his inner feelings. • our hearts are open to you . . . Open your hearts to us! These sentiments are continued in 7:2 (see study notes on 6:14–7:1; 7:2-4).
2 Corinthians 6:11
Paul’s Hardships and God’s Grace
10sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.11We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are open wide.12It is not our affection, but yours, that is restrained.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Become Little Children to Love One Another
By Ian Robson66519:00PSA 127:3PRO 22:6MAT 18:3JHN 13:331CO 13:42CO 6:11EPH 5:33EPH 6:4COL 3:141JN 4:7
This sermon emphasizes the importance of learning from children, particularly in their humility, love, and openness. It highlights Jesus' endearing words to his disciples as 'little children' and the commandment to love one another. The message stresses the significance of creating a loving and peaceful atmosphere in our homes, where children witness and experience genuine love and affection between parents, fostering a secure and nurturing environment for their growth.
Impossible Prayer
By Stewart Ruch15027:32PrayerMAT 6:33ACT 2:422CO 6:11EPH 6:181TH 5:17In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about driving through harvested fields with friends and feeling a sense of freedom and adventure. He then relates this experience to the need for Christians to "off-road" in their spiritual lives, breaking free from the control and isolation of the suburban lifestyle. The speaker emphasizes the importance of being open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and participating in the Kingdom of God, even if it disrupts our schedules and comfort. He warns against idolatry of control and isolation, which can hinder our communion with God and with others.
Enlargement of Heart
By David Wilkerson0RestorationCompassionMAT 5:44ROM 15:12CO 6:11GAL 6:1EPH 4:32David Wilkerson emphasizes the concept of 'enlargement of heart,' inspired by the spirit of compassion demonstrated by Paul and the evangelists George Whitefield and John Wesley. He reflects on the importance of removing barriers in our hearts to better connect with and restore those who are hurting, rather than judging them. Wilkerson urges believers to seek God's help in cultivating a heart that is gentle, forgiving, and filled with love for others, especially those who have stumbled in sin. He expresses a deep desire for a heart that mirrors Christ's compassion and a willingness to embrace all, including enemies, with divine love.
The Larger Life
By A.B. Simpson0Fullness in ChristSpiritual Growth2CO 6:11EPH 3:16A.B. Simpson emphasizes the necessity of spiritual growth and enlargement in the Christian life, urging believers to move beyond stagnation and embrace a deeper relationship with Christ. He illustrates that true growth requires a larger vision, faith, love, joy, experience, work, and hope, all rooted in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Simpson encourages Christians to let go of past limitations and human standards, and to seek God's divine ideal for their lives. He highlights the importance of being filled with the Spirit to expand one's capacity for God's grace and purpose. Ultimately, he calls for a commitment to live in the fullness of Christ, reflecting His glory and love in every aspect of life.
How Much Room Is in Your Heart?
By Phil Beach Jr.0MAT 13:22ROM 12:101CO 6:112CO 6:11GAL 5:13PHP 2:3COL 3:231PE 4:101JN 2:151JN 3:16Phil Beach Jr. reflects on Paul's grief over the church in Corinth, emphasizing the danger of closing our hearts to the Lord's interests and the consequences of falling away from His Word. Paul's open heart and mouth towards the Corinthians reveal his deep care and willingness to share God's love and truth. The lack of room in the Corinthians' hearts led to division, envy, and a departure from God's wisdom to human wisdom, causing suffering and deception. Beach urges listeners to examine their hearts, ensure they prioritize the Lord's interests, and be filled with the love of God to serve selflessly and sacrificially.
Enlargement of Heart.
By Daniel Steele02CO 6:11Daniel Steele preaches about the importance of experiencing the crisis of the enlargement of the heart, symbolizing perfect love and the love of God shed abroad by the Holy Ghost. Many Christians struggle with spiritual development, facing opposition within and often on the verge of surrender, not fully grasping the promises and power of God. Steele emphasizes the need for believers to dwell on the promises of Scripture, study the extent of Christ's saving power, and pray for God's exceeding abundance in all things.
- Adam Clarke
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
- John Gill
- Matthew Henry
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you - I speak to you with the utmost freedom and fluency, because of my affection for you. Our heart is enlarged - It is expanded to take you and all your interests in; and to keep you in the most affectionate remembrance. The preceding verses contain a very fine specimen of a very powerful and commanding eloquence.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
mouth . . . open unto you--I use no concealment, such as some at Corinth have insinuated (Co2 4:2). I use all freedom and openness of speech to you as to beloved friends. Hence he introduces here, "O Corinthians" (compare Phi 4:15). The enlargement of his heart towards them (Co2 7:3) produced his openness of mouth, that is, his unreserved expression of his inmost feelings. As an unloving man is narrow in heart, so the apostle's heart is enlarged by love, so as to take in his converts at Corinth, not only with their graces, but with their many shortcomings (compare Kg1 4:29; Psa 119:32; Isa 60:5).
John Gill Bible Commentary
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 hold you all; an expression, setting forth the exceeding great love, and strong affection the apostle bore to the Corinthians; when, on the other hand, they had but very little love to him comparatively; he had a heart to hold them all without being straitened for room; and among all them they could scarce find room enough in their hearts and affections for him.
Matthew Henry Bible Commentary
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?
Tyndale Open Study Notes
6:11-13 Paul’s impassioned plea reveals his inner feelings. • our hearts are open to you . . . Open your hearts to us! These sentiments are continued in 7:2 (see study notes on 6:14–7:1; 7:2-4).