2 Corinthians 6:13
New International Version
As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

New Living Translation
I am asking you to respond as if you were my own children. Open your hearts to us!

English Standard Version
In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.

Berean Standard Bible
As a fair exchange, I ask you as my children: Open wide your hearts also.

Berean Literal Bible
Now as the same recompense, I speak as to children, be you expanded also.

King James Bible
Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

New King James Version
Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.

New American Standard Bible
Now in the same way in exchange—I am speaking as to children—open wide your hearts to us, you as well.

NASB 1995
Now in a like exchange— I speak as to children— open wide to us also.

NASB 1977
Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now in a like exchange—I speak as to children—open wide to us also.

Amplified Bible
Now in the same way as a fair exchange [for our love toward you]—I am speaking as [I would] to children—open wide [your hearts] to us also.

Christian Standard Bible
I speak as to my children; as a proper response, open your heart to us.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I speak as to my children. As a proper response, you should also be open to us.

American Standard Version
Now for a recompense in like kind (I speak as unto my children), be ye also enlarged.

Contemporary English Version
I speak to you as I would speak to my own children. Please make room in your hearts for us.

English Revised Version
Now for a recompense in like kind (I speak as unto my children), be ye also enlarged.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I'm talking to you as I would talk to children. Treat us the same way we've treated you. Make a place for us in your hearts too.

Good News Translation
I speak now as though you were my children: show us the same feelings that we have for you. Open your hearts wide!

International Standard Version
Do us a favor—I ask you as my children—and open wide your hearts.

Majority Standard Bible
As a fair exchange, I ask you as my children: Open wide your hearts also.

NET Bible
Now as a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts to us also.

New Heart English Bible
Now in return, I speak as to my children, you also be open wide.

Webster's Bible Translation
Now for a recompense in the same (I speak as to my children,) be ye also enlarged.

Weymouth New Testament
And in just requital--I speak as to my children--let your hearts expand also.

World English Bible
Now in return—I speak as to my children—you also open your hearts.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and [as] a repayment of the same kind (as to children I say [it]), be enlarged—also you!

Berean Literal Bible
Now as the same recompense, I speak as to children, be you expanded also.

Young's Literal Translation
and as a recompense of the same kind, (as to children I say it,) be ye enlarged -- also ye!

Smith's Literal Translation
And for the same recompense, (I speak as to children,) be ye yourselves also enlarged.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But having the same recompense, (I speak as to my children,) be you also enlarged.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But since we have the same recompense, (I am speaking as if to my own sons), you, too, should be enlarged.

New American Bible
As recompense in kind (I speak as to my children), be open yourselves.

New Revised Standard Version
In return—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I speak as to my children, render me my reward which is with you, increase your love toward me.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But I speak as to children: “Pay me my remuneration which is with you, and enlarge your love to me.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
That you may repay me in like manner, (I speak as to children,) be you also enlarged.

Godbey New Testament
But as I speak to children, you indeed receive this reward.

Haweis New Testament
Let us have a like return; I speak as unto children; be ye also enlarged.

Mace New Testament
I address myself to you as a parent, be not you wanting in the returns of filial respect to me.

Weymouth New Testament
And in just requital--I speak as to my children--let your hearts expand also.

Worrell New Testament
Now, for a recompense in like kind (I am speaking as to my children), be ye also enlarged.

Worsley New Testament
Now as a return of our love (I speak as to my children) be ye also enlarged towards us.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Paul's Hardships and God's Grace
12It is not our affection, but yours, that is restrained. 13As a fair exchange, I ask you as my children: Open wide your hearts also. 14Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?…

Cross References
Galatians 4:12
I beg you, brothers, become like me, for I became like you. You have done me no wrong.

1 Corinthians 4:14-16
I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. / Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. / Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

Philippians 1:8
God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 2:7-8
On the contrary, we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother caring for her children. / We 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.

1 John 3:18
Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.

Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.

Ephesians 4:15
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ Himself, who is the head.

Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. / Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. / And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.

1 Peter 1:22
Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a genuine love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.

Hebrews 13:1
Continue in brotherly love.

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. / By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Proverbs 23:26
My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes delight in my ways.

Isaiah 49:15-16
“Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the son of her womb? Even if she could forget, I will not forget you! / Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are ever before Me.

Jeremiah 31:3
The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion.


Treasury of Scripture

Now for a recompense in the same, (I speak as to my children,) be you also enlarged.

I speak.

1 Corinthians 4:14,15
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you

Galatians 4:19
My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

1 Thessalonians 2:11
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,

be.

2 Kings 13:14-19
Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof…

Psalm 81:10
I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Matthew 9:28,29
And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord…

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Children Enlarged Exchange Expand Fair Heart Hearts Itself Kind Open Payment Recompence Recompense Requital Sort Speak Wide Widen
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Children Enlarged Exchange Expand Fair Heart Hearts Itself Kind Open Payment Recompence Recompense Requital Sort Speak Wide Widen
2 Corinthians 6
1. That he has approved himself a faithful minister of Christ by his exhortations,
3. and by integrity of life,
4. and by patiently enduring all kinds of affliction and disgrace for the gospel.
10. Of which he speaks the more boldly amongst them because his heart is open to them,
13. and he expects the like affection from them again;
14. exhorting them to flee the society and pollutions of idolaters,
17. as being themselves temples of the living God.














As a fair exchange
This phrase suggests a reciprocal relationship, emphasizing fairness and mutuality. In the Greek, the word "antimisthia" conveys the idea of recompense or a return for something given. Paul is appealing to the Corinthians to reciprocate the love and openness he has shown them. Historically, this reflects the Greco-Roman cultural value of reciprocity in relationships, where mutual exchange was a foundation of social interaction. Paul is not demanding but inviting them to respond in kind to his genuine affection and concern.

I ask you
The Greek verb "parakalo" is used here, which can mean to urge, exhort, or beseech. It carries a tone of earnest appeal rather than command. Paul’s approach is pastoral and gentle, reflecting his deep care for the Corinthian believers. This aligns with the broader scriptural context where leaders are encouraged to shepherd their flock with love and humility, as seen in 1 Peter 5:2-3.

as my children
Paul often uses familial language to describe his relationship with the churches he founded. The Greek word "tekna" denotes children, emphasizing a relationship of care, guidance, and affection. This reflects the spiritual fatherhood Paul feels towards the Corinthians, akin to the nurturing role he describes in 1 Thessalonians 2:7-11. It underscores the depth of his commitment and the personal nature of his appeal.

Open wide your hearts also
The phrase "open wide" translates the Greek "platynō," which means to enlarge or expand. Paul is urging the Corinthians to broaden their emotional and spiritual capacity to receive and reciprocate love. The heart, "kardia" in Greek, is often used in Scripture to denote the center of one's being, encompassing emotions, will, and intellect. Paul’s call is for an expansive, generous spirit, mirroring the openness he has shown them. This exhortation is a timeless reminder of the Christian call to love abundantly, as seen in Jesus’ teaching in John 13:34-35, where love is the hallmark of discipleship.

(13) Now for a recompence in the same.--Better, perhaps, as a return, as expressing the idea of reciprocity. Children should requite the care and love of parents. (Comp. 2Corinthians 12:14.) They, the Corinthians, are his spiritual children. (Comp. 1Corinthians 4:15.) What does he demand of them, but that they should love him in return for his love? What they needed in their spiritual life was breadth and expansiveness of affection.

Verse 13. - Now, for a recompense in the same. He begs them to give him "a reward in kind;" in other words, he wishes them to be as frank with him as he has been to them. As unto my children. And therefore, as a spiritual father, I may surely ask for sympathy. St. Paul uses the same metaphor in 1 Corinthians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 2:11. Be ye also enlarged. Treat me as I have treated you (comp. "Be as I am," Galatians 4:12).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[As]
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

a fair
αὐτὴν (autēn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

exchange,
ἀντιμισθίαν (antimisthian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 489: A reward, recompense, retribution. From a compound of anti and misthos; requital, correspondence.

I ask [you]
λέγω (legō)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

as
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

[my] children:
τέκνοις (teknois)
Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 5043: A child, descendent, inhabitant. From the base of timoria; a child.

Open wide
πλατύνθητε (platynthēte)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4115: To enlarge, make broad; met: of the growth of tenderness and love. From platus; to widen.

your [hearts]
ὑμεῖς (hymeis)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

also.
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.


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NT Letters: 2 Corinthians 6:13 Now in return I speak as (2 Cor. 2C iiC 2Cor ii cor iicor)
2 Corinthians 6:12
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