2 Corinthians 6:11-13
We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also.
Tag: Openness Should Produce Openness
Being transparent and vulnerable should produce transparency and vulnerability in others. At least this is Paul’s plea in the above verses. Paul has been making his case with the Corinthian believers about the authority of his apostleship and the recent letter he sent them (1 Corinthians). He corrected some sinful behavior in the first letter (1 Corinthians 5) and that, apparently, produced grief and some repentance in the hearts of the believers there. But, it also produced some resistance and some challenges to his apostleship and authority to correct them. In the opening chapters of this letter he has attempted to demonstrate both his love AND authority to address the believers in the manner he did. In our society this is a like a second email to clarify and fix the hurt and difficulty of the first email. Paul is saying, above, that the Corinthians now have heard his heart ... Paul as been transparent with them. If they have a problem now (he uses the word, “restriction” above) it is on them, not on him. He wants them to know his heart. He has been willing to be afflicted for them. He loves them. Although some were caused to repent by his recent letter, others rose up to challenge him. He is making his case that since he was open and vulnerable, they, too, should be open and vulnerable. HE wants them to make their hearts “wide” (Greek word for “broad”), just as he has made his heart wide to them. Paul believes in open and transparent leadership that will allow those who follow him to be as equally open. We can’t force follower-ship to be open and vulnerable. But, we can’t expect it, either, if we are not, ourselves, open and hones and vulnerable.
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