2 Corinthians 7:1 kjv
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.
2 Corinthians 7:1 nkjv
Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 7:1 niv
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
2 Corinthians 7:1 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.
2 Corinthians 7:1 nlt
Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.
2 Corinthians 7 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Cor 6:1 | As God's partners, we urge you not to accept God's grace in vain. | Exhortation for the present |
| 1 Cor 6:19-20 | Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, whom you received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. | Holiness of the body, honoring God |
| Phil 2:12-13 | ...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. | Human responsibility and divine action |
| Heb 12:14 | Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. | Necessity of holiness |
| 1 Peter 1:15-16 | But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." | Command for holiness |
| Eph 4:23 | ...be made new in the attitude of your minds. | Renewal of the mind |
| Rom 12:1-2 | ...present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. | Transformed by renewing the mind |
| Col 1:10 | ...so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. | Living worthy of the Lord |
| Titus 2:11-14 | For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all people. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from alllessness and to purify for himself a people that are his own, eager to do good works. | Grace teaches self-control, purity |
| 1 John 3:3 | Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure. | Hope leads to purification |
| Ps 51:10 | Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. | Prayer for a pure heart |
| Matt 5:8 | Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. | Beatitudes, purity of heart |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. | Fruit of the Spirit aligns with purity |
| Eph 5:26-27 | ...that he might sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. | Christ's work of purification of the church |
| Acts 20:32 | "Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified." | Word of grace builds and sanctifies |
| Heb 6:1 | Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, | Moving on to maturity |
| James 4:7-8 | Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. | Submission to God, purification of hearts |
| Jude 1:20-21 | But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God's love. | Building up in faith, praying in the Spirit |
| John 15:3 | You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. | Cleansing through Christ's word |
| 1 John 1:9 | If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. | Confession and purification |
2 Corinthians 7 verses
2 Corinthians 7 1 Meaning
Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates the flesh and the Spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.
2 Corinthians 7 1 Context
This verse comes after Paul has expressed his immense joy over the repentance and reconciliation of the Corinthian church (recorded in the preceding chapters, particularly chapter 6 where he had spoken of their reception by God and his own ministry as an ambassador). Having received encouraging news from Titus about their response to his previous letter, Paul is now deeply encouraged. Chapter 7 functions as a reflective conclusion to the extended section where Paul defends his apostolic authority and expresses his heart for the Corinthians. The promises referred to are God's promises to His people, such as His indwelling presence, His role as their Father, and their identity as His children. In light of these great spiritual blessings, Paul calls them to a life of practical holiness. This is a pastoral encouragement to continue in a corrected path of godliness and to strive for perfection in their walk of faith, demonstrating true reverence for God's character and His covenant relationship with them.
2 Corinthians 7 1 Word Analysis
- Since ( echontes - ἐχοντες ): Present active participle of echo (ἔχω), meaning "to have," "to hold," "to possess." Here it indicates possession or having these promises.
- we have : This "have" points to a current reality and possession of these divine assurances.
- these : Refers to the promises mentioned previously, particularly in the context of God’s covenant faithfulness and His promises of blessing and presence to His people.
- promises ( epaggelias - ἐπαγγελίας ): The accusative plural of epaggelia (ἐπαγγελία), meaning a "promise," "a pledge," "a proclamation." It refers to divine assurances or declarations.
- , dear friends, ( agapētoi - ἀγαπητοί ): Vocative plural of agapētos (ἀγαπητός), meaning "beloved," "dear." A term of affectionate address, signifying a deep, Christ-like love.
- let us purify ourselves ( katharisōmen heautous - καθαρίσωμεν ἑαυτούς ): First person plural, aorist subjunctive active of katharizō (καθαρίζω), meaning "to cleanse," "to purify." The subjunctive mood indicates a call to action, a self-exhortation. The reflexive pronoun heautous (ἑαυτούς) shows the action is directed back to the subject, meaning "ourselves." This implies an active and ongoing participation in the process of becoming pure.
- from every ( apo pantos - ἀπὸ παντός ): Preposition apo (ἀπὸ) indicating separation or removal, followed by the genitive singular of pas (πᾶς), meaning "all" or "every."
- contamination ( molysmou - μολυσμοῦ ): Genitive singular of molysmos (μόλυσμος), meaning "a stain," "a pollution," "a defilement," "impurity." It refers to anything that taints or spoils, particularly in a moral or spiritual sense.
- of the flesh ( tēs sarkos - τῆς σαρκός ): Genitive singular feminine of sarx (σάρξ), meaning "flesh." This refers to the human body and its desires, as well as the sinful nature, in contrast to the Spirit.
- and of the Spirit. ( kai tou pneumatos - καὶ τοῦ πνεύματος ): Conjunction kai (καὶ), "and," followed by the genitive singular neuter of pneuma (πνεῦμα), meaning "Spirit" (referring to the Holy Spirit). This phrase indicates a purifying from defilements associated with both the physical/sinful nature and potentially things that hinder the work or influence of the Holy Spirit, or perhaps errors in doctrine and practice. The puritanical view sees this as anything that carnally corrupts the spiritual.
- perfecting holiness ( epitelete tou hagiwsmou - ἐπιτελεῖτε τοῦ ἁγιασμοῦ ): Present tense active indicative of epiteleo (ἐπιτελέω), meaning "to bring to an end," "to accomplish," "to perfect," "to fulfill." Coupled with the genitive noun hagiwmos (ἁγιασμός), which means "sanctification," "holiness," "dedication." This phrase conveys the ongoing process of moving towards complete holiness, a continuous pursuit of sanctification. It’s an active work.
- out of reverence for God. ( en phobō theou - ἐν φόβῳ θεοῦ ): Preposition en (ἐν), "in," "with," "by," followed by the noun phobos (φόβος), meaning "fear," "awe," "reverence," "respect." Combined with theou (θεοῦ), genitive singular of theos (θεός), "God." This describes the manner or motivation behind perfecting holiness – a reverential awe and respect for God. It’s not a cowering fear but a profound respect born of understanding God's majesty and holiness.
Group Analysis:The imperative, "let us purify ourselves," emphasizes the believer's active participation, enabled by God's grace, in cooperation with the Holy Spirit’s work of sanctification. The object of purification is twofold: "from everything that contaminates the flesh" (referring to sinful actions and desires arising from the fallen human nature) and "the Spirit" (interpreted as impurities that hinder or grieve the Holy Spirit, or spiritual corruptions in understanding or practice). The purpose and manner are "perfecting holiness out of reverence for God," underscoring the goal of becoming more Christ-like and acting with profound respect for the divine.
2 Corinthians 7 1 Bonus Section
The structure of the verse emphasizes cause and effect: because we have these promises, therefore we should purify ourselves and perfect holiness. This links the believer's new identity and status in Christ to their resulting conduct. The participle "having" suggests the promises are the present basis and impetus for this practical outworking of faith. The idea of "perfecting holiness" suggests a continuous, directional movement toward maturity and Christlikeness, not necessarily absolute perfection in this life, but an unwavering, purposeful pursuit. The "reverence for God" captures a balanced view of our relationship with God—loving Him while deeply respecting His holiness and authority.
2 Corinthians 7 1 Commentary
This verse is a powerful call to ongoing sanctification. Paul is reminding believers that their salvation, bought with Christ's blood, positions them to live a life set apart. The "promises" Paul mentions refer to God's covenantal assurances and His presence through the Spirit. Because we possess these, we are motivated and empowered to cleanse ourselves. This purification targets both the grosser sins of the flesh (carnal desires and actions) and more subtle impurities that mar our spiritual lives, potentially affecting our relationship with the Holy Spirit or our understanding of God's truth. The goal is not a one-time cleansing, but a progressive "perfecting" of holiness. This is not about earning salvation but about living out the salvation we have received, demonstrating a deep reverence for God’s holy character and His love for us. It’s a call to mindful self-discipline and a pursuit of God’s will with earnest devotion.
Practical examples:
- Consciously avoiding gossip and slander ("contamination of the flesh").
- Rejecting pride and envy in personal or ministry dealings ("contamination of the Spirit").
- Actively engaging in prayer, Bible study, and fellowship to grow in godliness ("perfecting holiness").
- Doing good works with humility, recognizing all ability comes from God ("out of reverence for God").