2 Corinthians 7:2
What does 2 Corinthians 7:2 mean?
A plain-English look at 2 Corinthians 7:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 2 Corinthians 7:2 means
Paul asks the Corinthians to make room for him again in their hearts. He insists his team has not injured, misled, or exploited anyone among them. This is not a self-serving boast but a pastoral defense against rumors that undermined his ministry. He wants them to evaluate his conduct: he wronged no one through injustice, corrupted no one by false teaching, and took advantage of no one financially. By clearing the ground of suspicion, Paul seeks to restore open fellowship. Spiritual growth includes relational integrity; the gospel calls leaders and churches alike to uprightness. With a clear conscience, Paul invites them to renew their affection and trust, so that partnership in the gospel can flourish.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Open your hearts to us: we wronged no man, we corrupted no man, we took advantage of no man.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Open your hearts to us: we wronged no man, we corrupted no man, we took advantage of no man.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Let your hearts be open to us: we have done no man wrong, no man has been damaged by us, we have made no profit out of any man,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862receive us; no one did we wrong; no one did we waste; no one did we defraud;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Receive us. We have injured no man: we have corrupted no man: we have overreached no man.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Receive us: we have injured no one, we have ruined no one, we have made gain of no one.
Context
After urging holiness, Paul turns to the strained relationship with the Corinthians. He begins with a plea for affection and a brief defense of his integrity. This sets the tone for the chapter’s theme of reconciliation. The next verse will show that Paul is not condemning them but speaking out of deep love. Soon he will recount his distress in Macedonia and the comfort God supplied through Titus’s report, which confirms that the Corinthians’ hearts have indeed turned back toward him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Numbers 16:15
And Moses was very wroth, and said unto Jehovah, Respect not thou their offering: I have not taken one ass from them, neither have I hurt one of them.
- Acts 20:33
I coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:10
Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and righteously and unblamably we behaved ourselves toward you that believe:
- 3 John 1:8
We therefore ought to welcome such, that we may be fellow-workers for the truth.
- 2 Corinthians 11:9
and when I was present with you and was in want, I was not a burden on any man; for the brethren, when they came from Macedonia, supplied the measure of my want; and in everything I kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
- Romans 16:18
For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.
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