11: Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians—we are hiding nothing, keeping nothing back; and our heart is expanded wide for you!
12: There is no lack of room for you in our hearts, but you lack room in your own affections for us.
13: By way of return then, do this for me—I speak as to children—open wide your hearts also to us. (Amplified Bible)

He says to open wide their hearts toward Paul and those who worked in the ministry with him.  In chapter 6 verses 3-12 Paul talks about all that they go through for the sake of the gospel.  They go out of their way to remain true so they don’t discredit the Word of God.  So they don’t put obstructions in anyone’s way from receiving the gospel of Jesus Christ.

He lists a lot of what they went through to accomplish that.  So then in verse 11 he says, ‘our heart is expanded wide for you!’  But in verse 12 he feels they lack in their affection towards Paul & Co.  He encourages them to open wide their hearts toward them.

Those who are ministers of the gospel and anyone who stands up for the Word and suffers for the gospel’s sake needs our love, appreciation and support.  We may not realize all that a person goes through to bring us the Word of God.  But there is a price to pay and battles to be fought and won in order to bring the Word of God to people and to minister life to them.

Confession: