Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 6:13
As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian believers, clarifying that their affection for him, not his, is restrained. He frames his appeal as a father speaking to his children, urging them to respond in kind.
The words — The Greek term ἀντιμισθίαν (antimisthian) denotes a reciprocal recompense or fair exchange, while πλατύνθητε (platunthēte) issues a direct command to open wide their hearts.
The thread — This call for unreserved reciprocity aligns with Paul’s pastoral warning in 1 Corinthians 4:14 and the Johannine emphasis on loving in action and truth found in 1 John 3:18 and 3 John 1:4.
Why it lands — The text requires the Corinthians to replace their restrained affection with immediate, unreserved openness. It asks readers to match divine initiative with practical, unhesitating commitment.
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
Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.
Cross-references
- 1 John 3:18 Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.
- 3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
- 1 Corinthians 4:14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
- 1 John 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
- 1 John 3:7 Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:11 For you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children—
- 2 Kings 13:14 When Elisha had fallen sick with the illness from which he would die, Jehoash king of Israel came down to him and wept over him, saying, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!”
- Psalms 81:10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth, and I will fill it.
- Matthew 9:28 After Jesus had entered the house, the blind men came to Him. “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” He asked. “Yes, Lord,” they answered.
- Matthew 17:19 Afterward the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”