2 Corinthians 7:1
What is written? (ESV)
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
What does it say?
Brethren, due to these promises let’s remove any sin from our body and spirit in order to perfect holiness in the fear of God.
What is its immediate context?
Paul has dealt with numerous issues that have sown division and discord among the Christians in Corinth. In this chapter/section, he addresses yet another problem — apparently, some have negatively influenced the church to the extent that they were false teaching. This verse concludes the argument Paul was making (6:14-18) about them maintaining fellowship with “unbelievers” (6:14) and that contradicts God’s desire and the promises He made to:
- “make my dwelling among them” (6:16)
- “be separate” so that “I will welcome you” (6:17)
- “be a father to you” (6:18)
How 2 Corinthians 7:1 is applied across Bible answers
What is the promise of the Holy Spirit?
Paul includes God's promise to dwell with His people as integral to a Christian's walk.
"These promises" relate to the previous few verses where Paul quotes from several prophets expressing God's desire to "make my dwelling among them...and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." (6:16)
Why does God give the non-miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit? (Acts 2:38-39)
Continuing his thought,6 Paul confirms God's "dwelling" as a promise from God and integral to a Christian's motivation to "cleanse ourselves from every defilement".
