What does the word 'bowels' mean in the King James Bible?
In the King James Bible, 'bowels' is a Hebraism meaning the innermost being, which refers to the heart, soul, and inner man—not literal intestines. It denotes the inner spiritual center or soul of a person rather than physical organs.
Les explains that in 2 Corinthians 6, Paul writes, 'Our mouth is open unto you,' and 'Our heart is enlarged,' then says, 'You are not straightened in us, but you are straightened in your own bowels.' Les points out that the word 'bowels' in the King James, and even in the literal translation, is 'bowels,' but it is a Hebraism that really means the innermost being. That innermost being boils down to the heart, to the heart of man, to the soul. So Paul is saying the Corinthians were not restrained by him, but restrained in their own heart. Les notes that these Corinthians were carnal babes in Christ; the gospel had taken hold enough to bring them out of paganism to a degree, but they still had a long way to go.
Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
More Questions
What does it mean that the Corinthians were 'straitened in their own bowels' but not in Paul?
Paul's statement 'you are not straightened in us, but you are straightened in your own bowels' means the gospel had taken hold of the Corinthians enough to bring them out of their paganism and separate them from their pagan background to a degree, but they were still carnal and had a long way to go.
What does it mean to be 'straitened in your own bowels' in 2 Corinthians 6:12?
Paul's statement 'you are not straitened in us, but you are straitened in your own bowels' means the Corinthians were not restricted by Paul but were restricted in their own heart.