It is not our affection, but yours, that is restrained.
Parallel translations
- WEB You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
- KJV Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
- NKJV You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections.
- NASB You are not restrained by us, but you are restrained in your own affections.
- NLT There is no lack of love on our part, but you have withheld your love from us.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Any distance between Paul and the Corinthians comes from their own withheld affections, not from him. The barrier is on their side, not his.
Overview
Paul assures the Corinthians that he has placed no restriction on his love; if there is coolness, it lies in their own hearts. He gently exposes that the relational strain originates with them. The verse calls them to examine and open their own affections.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- 2 Cor 7:2Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.
- Mic 2:7Should it be said, O house of Jacob, “Is the Spirit of the LORD impatient? Are these the things He does?” Do not My words bring good to him who walks uprightly?
- Phil 1:8God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
- 1 Jn 3:17If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
- Job 36:16Indeed, He drew you from the jaws of distress to a spacious and broad place, to a table full of richness.
- Eccl 6:9Better what the eye can see than the wandering of desire. This too is futile and a pursuit of the wind.
- Prov 4:12When you walk, your steps will not be impeded; when you run, you will not stumble.
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Christ at the center
In Christ all God's promises are 'Yes and Amen'; though rich, he became poor to make us rich, and in him God reconciles the world, making us new creations.
How 2 Corinthians 6:12 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.