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.
Parallel translations
- WEB I say this not to condemn you, for I have said before, that you are in our hearts to die together and live together.
- KJV I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.
- NKJV I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.
- NASB I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.
- NLT I’m not saying this to condemn you. I said before that you are in our hearts, and we live or die together with you.
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
Paul speaks not to condemn but out of deep love, holding the Corinthians in his heart to live and die together. His correction flows from steadfast affection.
Overview
Paul clarifies that his defense is not an accusation against them; rather, he cherishes them so deeply that he is committed to them in life and death. This expresses the bond of pastoral love that endures hardship and conflict. Genuine love undergirds even his frank speech.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Phil 1:8–9God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
- 2 Cor 6:11–12We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians. Our hearts are open wide.
- 2 Cor 12:15And 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?
- Ruth 1:16–17But Ruth replied: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.
- 1 Th 2:8We cared so deeply that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our own lives as well. That is how beloved you have become to us.
- 2 Cor 7:12So even though I wrote to you, it was not on account of the one who did wrong or the one who was harmed, but rather that your earnestness on our behalf would be made clear to you in the sight of God.
- 2 Cor 13:10This is why I write these things while absent, so that when I am present I will not need to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.
- 2 Cor 3:2You yourselves are our letter, inscribed on our hearts, known and read by everyone.
- 2 Cor 2:4–5For 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 Cor 4:14–15I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
- 2 Cor 11:11Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 7:3 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.