2 Corinthians 6:12; Ye Are Not Straitened In Us

2 Corinthians 6:12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

The Corinthian Christians do not occupy a little or restricted portion of the Apostle Paul’s heart, he loved them dearly. He unequivocally tells them. The word “straitened” literally means confine, squeeze into a narrow tight place, restrict; figuratively in the passive, as having a cramped or narrow feeling be restricted, be severely limited.  [Friberg]  

MacDonald said well, “Any restriction in affections between the Corinthians and Paul is not in himself but in them. They might have limited love toward him, so that they were not sure whether they should receive him or not, but he was not at all limited in his love toward them. The lack of love was on their side, not Paul’s.”

The fact that he has come such a long way and endured many sufferings, he explained, is proof of his sincere love for them. He has to explain himself so that he may help them see that their affections toward him have been compromised.

As Jill explained, “… you are distressed by some among yourselves, who ought not to be with you, with whom you should have no fellowship and communion.” As the psalmist warned in Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

May the Lord help us to choose godly friends who love God and love us sincerely. Amen.