2 Corinthians 7:1
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Study Note
Study Note
The exhortation to 'cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God' draws together the preceding promises of 6:16-18 (God dwelling among his people, the new Exodus of 'come out from them') into a practical demand. The Levitical purity language — 'defilement,' 'cleansing,' 'holiness' — is applied to the whole person (body and spirit), refusing the Corinthian dualism that would restrict spiritual concerns to the inner life alone. The phrase 'perfecting holiness in the fear of God' (epitelountes hagiōsynēn) implies process rather than achievement: holiness is being completed, not yet complete. The verse is important for understanding Pauline ethics as temple theology: the Spirit-indwelt community is the new temple (6:16), and temple purity is therefore obligatory.
Other Translations
Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Having, then, these promises, beloved, may we cleanse ourselves from every pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting sanctification in the fear of God;
Because God, then, will give us such rewards, dear brothers, let us make ourselves clean from all evil of flesh and spirit, and become completely holy in the fear of God.
Cross References
And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully, and with a perfect …
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, …
By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.
Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and …