Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 6:11
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are open wide.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The apostle addresses the Corinthian church immediately after cataloging his paradoxical hardships and spiritual abundance. He speaks at a moment of pastoral correction, preparing to rebuke their emotional withdrawal.
The words — The Greek terms stoma (mouth) and aneōgen (has been opened) literally render the phrase "the mouth of us has been opened to you, Corinthians." This phrasing establishes the foundation for the immediate declaration about his unreserved affection.
The thread — The motif of opened capacity and mutual devotion recurs in Psalms 119:32, 2 Corinthians 7:3, and 2 Corinthians 12:15. These passages collectively frame apostolic ministry as a shared emotional and spiritual economy rather than a one-sided imposition.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of the speaker’s unreserved communication before addressing the reader’s restrained affection. It requires the audience to drop their hesitation and reciprocate the openness that has already been demonstrated.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
Cross-references
- Psalms 119:32 I run in the path of Your commandments, for You will enlarge my heart.
- 2 Corinthians 7:3 I do not say this to condemn you. I have said before that you so occupy our hearts that we live and die together with you.
- 2 Corinthians 12:15 And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?
- Philippians 1:8 God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
- 2 Corinthians 2:4 For through many tears I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart, not to grieve you but to let you know how much I love you.
- 1 Samuel 2:1 At that time Hannah prayed: “My heart rejoices in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth speaks boldly against my enemies, for I rejoice in Your salvation.
- Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.
- Philippians 4:15 And as you Philippians know, in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church but you partnered with me in the matter of giving and receiving.
- Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done.
- Job 32:20 I must speak and find relief; I must open my lips and respond.