2 Corinthians 6:11 Commentary and Bible Study

The church in Corinth had grown cold. They had got over it by the time Paul writes this letter, but it had been very serious. The apostle exclaims, ‘O ye Corinthians’, and that actually in those days would have been a very affectionate form of address. To mention the Corinthians halfway through the letter in name in this way – it was an endearment, it was an embrace. To us it sounds rather cold. Our use of language has changed, but then it indicates the great affection of the apostle Paul for them, although they had been very stony and cold towards him. We will look at why in a moment, but he overlooks all of this. He says in effect, ‘I speak very freely to you and openly as you would only speak to somebody within the family, or somebody who was your closest friend.’ To such a person you might speak quite uninhibitedly and openly about things and how they were between you. ‘Our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged’, which simply means, ‘Our affections are very warm towards you. We remember our time with you so, with such love.’