“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.”
My Notes
What Does 2 Corinthians 7:1 Mean?
Paul appeals to the Corinthians: having these promises — the promises of God dwelling in them, being their God, and receiving them as children (2 Corinthians 6:16-18) — let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit.
The cleansing is twofold: flesh (external behavior) and spirit (internal attitudes). Paul addresses both dimensions because defilement operates in both. You can have clean hands and a dirty heart, or vice versa.
"Perfecting holiness in the fear of God" describes the process: ongoing, not instantaneous. Perfecting means bringing to completion — holiness is a work in progress, not a switch that flips. And it is motivated by the fear of God — reverent awareness of who he is.
The logic connects promise to practice: because God has promised to dwell in you and be your Father, you cleanse yourself. The identity drives the behavior. You are clean because he lives in you. Now live like it.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does cleansing 'flesh and spirit' cover both external behavior and internal attitudes?
- 2.Why does Paul ground the command to cleanse in the promises rather than in threats?
- 3.What does 'perfecting holiness' as an ongoing process mean for your expectations of growth?
- 4.What filthiness of flesh or spirit are you currently tolerating?
Devotional
Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. Both. Not just the visible sins or just the internal ones. All filthiness — the behavior and the attitude. The actions and the motives.
Having therefore these promises. The cleansing is not legalistic duty. It is a response to promises — the promise that God dwells in you, walks in you, calls you his child. Because you are his temple, you clean the temple. Not to earn his presence but because his presence demands it.
Perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Perfecting — working toward completion. Holiness is not an event. It is a direction. You are moving toward it, not arriving at it. And the fuel for the journey is not guilt but fear — the holy, reverent awareness of who God is.
In the fear of God. Not terror. Reverence. The sobering awareness that the God who lives in you is holy — and that holiness is both a gift and a responsibility.
What filthiness — of flesh or spirit — are you tolerating because it has not been confronted yet? The promises are already yours. The cleansing is the appropriate response. Not to earn the promises. Because you already have them.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Having therefore these promises,.... That God will walk in his temple, and dwell in his churches, be their God, and they…
Having therefore these promises - The promises referred to in 2Co 6:17-18; the promise that God would be a Father, a…
Having therefore these promises - The promises mentioned in the three last verses of the preceding chapter, to which…
These verses contain a double exhortation: -
I. To make a progress in holiness, or to perfect holiness in the fear of…
2Co 7:1. Having therefore these promises Literally, promises such as these (soche promeses, Tyndale and Cranmer), i.e.…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture