2 Corinthians 7:1-7

1: Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2: Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one.
3: I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together.
4: Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.

5: For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within.
6: But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7: and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.

*** 

Since they had such great promises of God dwelling in them, walking among them, and being a father to them if they would keep themselves from unholy alliances, Paul said to let them cleanse themselves from all defilement of the flesh and spirit—perfecting holiness in the fear of God. These promises are conditional and require action—keeping oneself separate from joining with what might defile.

Notice Paul encouraged a cleansing of both the flesh and spirit. We have been given a new heart, made new creatures in Christ by our faith in the Lord, but we are to still keep ourselves clean—keep ourselves apart from all sin. This requires attention and effort on our part. Thankfully, He gave us the Holy Spirit to help us.

Paul appealed once again to those who had opposed him, asking them to make room for him, and the others with him, in their hearts for they had not done anything wrong to anyone. To be sure they didn’t misunderstand and think he was condemning them, Paul reassured them of his love, saying they were in his heart. He spoke of his great confidence in them and boasting on their behalf.

He told them of his reaction when he finally met up with Titus and heard of their response to his letter which addressed the sin, particularly of 1 Corinthians 5. It brought him great joy and comfort, even though they were in the midst of troubles in Macedonia. Paul mentioned back in 2 Corinthians 2:12-13 that he had not found Titus in Troas where they had arranged to meet, so he was happy to finally find him in Macedonia and rejoiced even more when he was told of the Corinthian's response to his last letter. They had corrected what Paul addressed and done so quite sincerely.


 

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