Now the same requital He softens his reproof by addressing them kindly as his sons, and also by this exhortation, by which he intimates that he still entertains good hopes of them. By the same requital he means -- mutual duty, for there is a mutual return of duty between a father and his sons. For as it is the duty of parents to nourish their children, to instruct them, to direct them by their counsel, and to defend them, so it is the dictate of equity, that children should requite their parents. (1-Timothy 6:4.) In fine, he means what the Greeks call antipelargian -- affection exercised in return. [1] "I cherish," says he, "towards you paternal affection: show yourselves then to be my sons by affection and respect in return." At the same time there is a particular circumstance that must be noticed, That the Corinthians, having found so indulgent a father, may also show gentleness in their turn, and may requite his kind condescension by their docility, he exhorts them with this view to be enlarged in their own bowels. The Old Interpreter, not having caught Paul's meaning, has added the participle having, and has thus expressed his own view rather than Paul's. In our exposition, on the other hand, (which is Chrysostom's, also,) there is nothing forced. [2]

Footnotes

1 - The term antipelargia is compounded of anti over against, and largos, a stork. It is employed to denote reciprocal affection, from an interesting peculiarity in the disposition of the stork. "This bird," says Paxton, in his Illustrations of Scripture, (Edin. 1842,) volume 2, p. 432, "has long been celebrated for her amiable and pious dispositions, in which she has no rival among the feathered race. Her kind benevolent temper she discovers in feeding her parents in the time of incubation, when they have not leisure to seek their food, or when they have become old, and unable to provide for themselves." The English word stork is derived from storge, affection, while the Hebrew name for this animal, chsydh, (chasidah,) is derived from chsd (chesed,) beneficence, because, says Bythner, "the stork nourishes, supports, and carries on its back, when weary, its aged parents." See Calvin on the Psalms, [43]vol. 4, p. 158, n. 2 Calvin, when commenting on [44]1Timothy 5:4, says, "Ips' quoque ciconi' gratitudinem suo exemplo nos docent. Unde et nomen antipelargia;" -- "The very storks, too, teach us gratitude by their example. Hence the term antipelargia -- affection in return." -- Ed.

2 - The rendering of the Vulgate -- "Eandem remunerationem habentes;" -- "Having the same reward," -- is followed by. Wiclif, (1380,) ye that haw the same reward and also in the Rheims version, (1582,) hauing the same reward. -- Ed.

Now for a recompence in the same - "By way of recompence, open your hearts in the same manner toward me as I have done toward you. It is all the reward or compensation which I ask of you; all the return which I desire. I do not ask silver or gold, or any earthly possessions. I ask only a return of love, and a devotedness to the cause which I love, and which I endeavor to promote."
I speak as unto my children - I speak as a parent addressing his children. I sustain toward you the relation of a spiritual father, and I have a right to require and expect a return of affection.
Be ye also enlarged - Be not straitened in your affections. Love me as I love you. Give to me the same proofs of attachment which I have given you. The idea in this verse is, that the only compensation or remuneration which he expected for all the love which he had shown them, and for all his toils and self-denials in their behalf 2-Corinthians 6:4-5, was, that they would love him, and yield obedience to the laws of the gospel requiring them to be separate from the world, 2-Corinthians 6:14-18. One ground of the claim which he had to their affection was, that he sustained toward them the relation of a father, and that he had a right to require and to expect such a return of love. The Syriac renders it well: "Enlarge your love toward me." Tyndale renders it: "I speak unto you as unto children, which have like reward with us; stretch yourselves therefore out; bear not the yoke with unbelievers."

Now for a recompense in the same - That you may, in some sort, repay me for my affection towards you, I speak to you as unto my children, whom I have a right to command, be ye also enlarged - love me as I love you.

Now for a recompence in the same,.... That your love to me may answer mine to you; that as you have my heart, I may have yours, and the same room in your heart, as you have in mine. The Vulgate Latin version reads, "having the same recompence"; and the Arabic version renders it, "grant to me the same recompence"; and the Syriac version, "recompense to me my usuries that are with you"; that is, repay me with affection, let love be returned for love.
I speak as unto my children; which relation subsisting between us requires mutual affection; for as a father should love his children, so children should love their father:
be ye also enlarged; in your love to me, as I am to you; and then, as if he should say, you will bear with, and take in good part the following exhortation and advice.

Translate, "As a recompense in the same kind . . . be enlarged also yourselves" [ELLICOTT]. "In the same way" as my heart is enlarged towards you (2-Corinthians 6:11), and "as a recompense" for it (Galatians 4:12).
I speak as unto my children--as children would naturally be expected to recompense their parents' love with similar love.

Now for a recompence of the same - Of my parental tenderness. I speak as to my children - I ask nothing hard or grievous. Be ye also enlarged - Open your hearts, first to God, and then to us, so 2-Corinthians 8:5, that God may "dwell in you," 2-Corinthians 6:16; 2-Corinthians 7:1; and that ye may "receive us," 2-Corinthians 7:2.