2 Corinthians 7:3

3 Don't think I'm finding fault with you. I told you earlier that I'm with you all the way, no matter what.

2 Corinthians 7:3 Meaning and Commentary

2 Corinthians 7:3

I speak not this to condemn you
Referring either to the exhortations before given, to have no sinful conversation with unbelievers, and to cleanse themselves from all impurity, external and internal; and to go on in a course of holiness, in the fear of God, to the end of life; or to the account just given of himself and fellow ministers; and his sense is this, the exhortations I have given must not be so understood, as though I charged and accused you with keeping company with unbelievers, or as though you were not concerned for purity of life and conversation; or when I remove the above mentioned things from myself and others, I mean not to lay them upon you, as if I thought that you had wronged, corrupted, or defrauded any; when I clear myself and others, I do not design to accuse or condemn you; my view is only to the false apostles, who have done these things, when we have not, and therefore we have the best claim to your affections:

for I have said before, you are in our hearts;
you are inscribed on our hearts, engraven there, "ye are our epistle written in our hearts", ( 2 Corinthians 3:2 ) ye are not straitened in us, ( 2 Corinthians 6:12 ) you have a place and room enough in our affections, which are strong towards you, insomuch that it is our desire and resolution

to die and live with you;
or together: neither death nor life shall separate our love, or destroy our friendship; there is nothing we more desire than to live with you; and should there be any occasion for it, could freely die with you, and for you.

2 Corinthians 7:3 In-Context

1 With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let's make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let's make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God. More Passionate, More Responsible
2 Trust us. We've never hurt a soul, never exploited or taken advantage of anyone.
3 Don't think I'm finding fault with you. I told you earlier that I'm with you all the way, no matter what.
4 I have, in fact, the greatest confidence in you. If only you knew how proud I am of you! I am overwhelmed with joy despite all our troubles.
5 When we arrived in Macedonia province, we couldn't settle down. The fights in the church and the fears in our hearts kept us on pins and needles. We couldn't relax because we didn't know how it would turn out.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.