2 Corinthians 7:3 Commentary and Bible Study

‘I speak not this to condemn you.’ Well certainly not, because they had repented and regretted that they had fallen for all this. ‘For I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.’ That is how a pastor should be. ‘I would if it were the will of God,’ Paul seems to say, ‘have remained with you permanently as pastor, even if it meant great persecution, even if it had led to my death, so great is my regard for you.’ And he meant it. He did not use words meaninglessly.