John Calvin Commentary 2 Corinthians 6:13

"Now for a recompense in like kind (I speak as unto [my] children), be ye also enlarged." — 2 Corinthians 6:13 (ASV)

Now the same requital. He softens his reproof by addressing them kindly as his sons, and also by this exhortation, through which he intimates that he still entertains good hopes for them. By the same requital he means mutual duty, for there is a mutual return of duty between a father and his sons. As it is the duty of parents to nourish their children, instruct them, direct them by their counsel, and defend them, so it is the dictate of equity that children should requite their parents (1 Timothy 6:4). In short, he means what the Greeks call ἀντιπελαργίαν—affection exercised in return.

“I cherish,” he says, “paternal affection toward you; then show yourselves to be my sons by affection and respect in return.” At the same time, a particular circumstance must be noted: namely, that the Corinthians, having found such an indulgent father, should also show gentleness in return and repay his kind condescension with their teachableness; it is with this view that he exhorts them to be enlarged in their own bowels.

The Old Interpreter, not having caught Paul’s meaning, added the participle having, and thus expressed his own view rather than Paul’s. In our exposition, on the other hand (which is also Chrysostom’s), there is nothing forced.