Paul’s expression of love

Here, Paul directly addresses the readers of the letter as “Corinthians.” It was not Paul’s usual practice to address his readers directly. However, when his emotions were stirred, he sometimes departed from that practice. (1) Galatians 3:1 is one such example. To the Christians in Galatia who were being drawn to a different gospel, he says, “You foolish Galatians.” (2) Philippians 4:15 is another example. There, Paul writes to the Christians in Philippi who had supported his ministry: “You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone” (Phil. 4:15). The reason Paul had written so sternly and frankly to the Corinthian Christians was not because he hated them, but because he felt a deep love for them.

Open wide your hearts

Paul sensed that something was not quite right between himself and the Corinthian Christians, but he says that the responsibility did not lie on his side. (1) It was not Paul who was restraining them; rather, they themselves were being restrained by their own hearts. In other words, the cause of the problem was that they had closed their hearts to Paul. (2) Paul speaks to them as though giving advice to his own children. He asks them to respond to the love he has shown them by opening their hearts to him. Love is not something that can be taken by force. Unless the other person gives it to you, it cannot become yours. This is a principle of human relationships. This principle also applies to our relationship with God. God loved us so much that He gave His only Son (Jesus Christ) to be crucified. A Christian is a person who has opened his or her heart to that love. Is your heart open to this God? Is it also open to your parents, friends, and neighbors who love you?