2 Corinthians 7:1-3

Applebury's Comments

Appeal for Purity
Scripture

2 Corinthians 7:1-3. Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Open your hearts to us: we wronged no man, we corrupted no man, we took advantage of no man. 3 I say it not to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die together and live together.

Comments

Having therefore these promises.Paul now draws his conclusion from the argument which proved the absolute incompatibility between righteousness and iniquity. There follows a two-fold appeal: (1) That which involved cleansing and purity with reverence for God; (2) the appeal for the Corinthians to accept Paul.

The promises as indicated in this context are: (1) that the living God would dwell in them and walk in them; and that He would be their God and they would be His people; (2) that the living God would be their Father and that they would be His sons and daughters. These promises conditioned upon the separation from the defilement of sin were first made to the nation of Israel. The history of that nation shows how God in a remarkable way was in the midst of His people, giving them victories and blessing when they consecrated themselves to Him, but bringing affliction and punishment upon them when they failed to walk according to their agreement with Him. Because that nation, with the exception of a small number of faithful ones, ultimately failed to appreciate the promises that God had made to them, He made a new covenant that involved believers whether Jews or Gentiles. And to this new nation He said, I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a people (Hebrews 8:10). Then He promised, I will be merciful to their iniquities, and their sins I will remember no more (Hebrews 8:12). These blessings were involved in the promise that God had made to Abraham. See Galatians 3:8-14; Galatians 3:29. This was made known on the Day of Pentecost to those who repented of their sins and got themselves baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Peter said, To you is the promise and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him (Acts 2:39). Peter speaks of these precious and exceeding great promises by which the Christians have escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust that they may become partakers of Deity. 2 Peter 1:4.

let us cleanse ourselves for all defilement of flesh and spirit.Are we to assume when Paul says Let us that he was guilty of the same defiling sins which the Corinthians had been practicing? This could scarcely harmonize with the appeal that he had made for the Corinthians to imitate him even as he imitated Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1. Nor does it harmonize with the fact that he had buffeted his body and brought it into bondage lest after having preached to others he should become disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:27. Neither does it harmonize with his claim that Christ lived in him. Galatians 2:20. Those who hold that he was defiled just as the Corinthians are fond of quoting his remarks: For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh dwelleth no good thing Romans 7:18. But Paul had said in Romans 6:12, Let not sin therefore reign in your body, that you should obey the lust thereof. The only possible way to harmonize these two statements is to regard the first one as a reference to Paul before he became a Christian. At one time he like the Romans before they became Christians had been a servant of sin, but they became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto they were delivered and were made free from sin that they might become servants of righteousness. Romans 6:17-18. Why then does Paul say, Let us cleanse ourselves? Two reasons: (1) because such a thing was possible since he himself had done so; (2) Paul was aware that it was necessary for him as well as the Corinthians to be constantly on guard lest he should fall. He had written to them saying Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall (1 Corinthians 10:12). But he also indicated that there is no temptation which they could not endure by following the way which God has provided. With the shield of faith the Christian can quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. Ephesians 6:16. Not even the apostle Paul could afford to lay down the armor of God until he had fought the good fight of the faith, being faithful unto death.

from all defilement of flesh and spirit.By flesh and spirit Paul meant the whole life, body and mind. While he used flesh and spirit in a figurative sense as he discussed the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:16-24, here he is using it in the literal sense referring to the physical body. The Corinthians lived in an environment of immorality. He had written to them that they should in no way get themselves mixed up with those who practiced such things. 1 Corinthians 5:8. He had reminded them that their bodies were to be considered as a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Those who hold that there is inherent sin in the body are at variance with what Paul teaches on the subject, for one can, and many do, give their bodies to God as instruments of righteousness. Romans 6:13. In the list of the works of the flesh, Paul not only mentions immorality which defiles the body, but he also lists such things as strife, faction, jealousy, division and the like which defile the spirit. Those who belong to Christ, however, are to be characterized by love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control. Galatians 5:22-24. To the Colossians, he said, Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. (Colossians 3:2). To the Philippians, he wrote, Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8).

How can the Christian who has become defiled cleanse himself? Is he to be baptized again for the remission of his sins? The case of Simon answers the problem. Along with the other Samaritans, he had been baptized into Christ; but he fell into serious sin when he thought that he could obtain the gift of God with money. Peter said to him, Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee (Acts 8:22).John, writing to Christians, says If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). The blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7-10; 1 John 2:1-2). We have an obligation to one another in this matter. Paul wrote to the Galatians saying, Brethren, if man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted (Galatians 6:1). James wrote to his brethren to say, If any among you err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins (James 5:19-20).

perfecting holiness in the fear of God.Holiness as used in this context is the state of the one who separates himself from sin and its defilement, touching no unclean thing. It clearly means the life of purity that follows the cleansing from sin. The object of the cleansing is a life of purity. Paul urges the Corinthians to make their life complete by conducting themselves in God's sight as His children who refuse to be defiled by sinful practices.

Perfecting holiness does not mean perfectionism, for that assumes that it is possible for the individual to reach the state in which it is impossible for him to commit an act of sin. While John makes it clear that it is impossible for a man to go on sinning while he is conducting himself in harmony with the Word of God, he also recognizes the possibility of a sin being committed by any man who does not walk in the light of God's Word (1 John 3:9; 1 John 2:1).

In this day of low moral standards, the church must not only return to the truth of God's Word but also to the purity of genuine Christian living. In this day it is imperative that Christians present their bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God (Romans 12:1). Peter said, As God is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living (1 Peter 1:15). Then he explained it, Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking, as new born babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation (1 Peter 2:1-2).

Open your hearts to us.Paul asked the Corinthians to open their hearts to him and welcome him as a guest. He wanted them to let him come in and abide in their affections. There are certain types of people who cannot be welcomed as guests in one's home. Those who would injure, destroy, or cheat cannot be admitted. But Paul declared that he had accused no one unjustly; he had injured no one; he had not corrupted or destroyed anyone; he had not taken advantage of or cheated anyone. There was, therefore, no reason why they should not receive him into their hearts. Some of Paul's enemies may have been making such charges against him, but it is probably better to consider this as a general characterization of unwanted guests which in no way applied to him.

I say it not to condemn you.This could mean that some had brought these charges against Paul, but, more likely, he was simply showing that he was not the type of individual that would be excluded from the home and heart of a Christian. He had reminded them (2 Corinthians 6:11) that his heart was enlargedthere was room in it for all the Corinthians. Now he urges them to make room for him in their hearts and affections. He considered the Corinthians as permanent guests in his affections, for they were in his heart to die together and to live together. This was no temporary thing; they were in his heart to stay.

Remembering all that he had done for them as their spiritual father, how could they refuse to open their hearts and welcome him into their lives?