2 Corinthians 7:3

3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you.

2 Corinthians 7:3 in Other Translations

3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

3 I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.

3 I’m not saying this to condemn you. I said before that you are in our hearts, and we live or die together with you.

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.

3 I don't say this to condemn you, for I have already said that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together.

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 Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

2 Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.

3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you.

4 I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

5 For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Corinthians 6:11,12; Philippians 1:7