2 Corinthians 7:1 - Meaning and Application

These verses give a twofold appeal.

First, they call believers to keep growing in holiness, or to complete holiness in the fear of God (2 Corinthians 7:1). Paul speaks with deep affection to those he dearly loves, and he backs up his appeal with strong reasons. One reason is the great and precious promises he has just spoken of in the previous chapter, promises that belonged to the Corinthians as well. God’s promises are powerful reasons to pursue holiness in both of its parts.

Holiness means dying to sin and living to righteousness. We must cleanse ourselves from every kind of defilement, both of body and mind. Sin is pollution, and there are sins of the flesh, done through the body, and sins of the spirit, which are inward and hidden. We must turn from both, because God is to be honored with both body and soul. At the same time, we must live in righteousness and holiness. If we claim God as our Father, we should seek to share in his holiness, to be holy as he is holy, and to aim at the perfection our Father in heaven sets before us.

Paul says we must keep on perfecting holiness. We should not settle for being sincere, even though sincerity is gospel perfection in one sense, if we can still aim higher. We will not reach sinless perfection in this life, but we should still press toward it. All of this must be done in the fear of God, which is the root of true religion, and without which there can be no holiness. Faith and hope in God’s promises must never weaken our reverence for him. He takes pleasure in those who fear him and hope in his mercy.

Second, Paul calls the Corinthians to regard the ministers of the gospel properly: “Receive us” (2 Corinthians 7:2). Those who labor in teaching and preaching should be honored and highly valued for their work. That kind of respect also helps believers grow in holiness. If ministers are treated as unworthy because of their office, the gospel itself may soon be treated the same way. Paul does not think it beneath him to ask for the Corinthians’ good opinion. He never flatters people, but he does act with gentleness toward everyone.

He first says that he had done nothing to lose their respect or love. He had wronged no one, harmed no one, and had always meant their good (2 Corinthians 7:2). In the same spirit he had told the Ephesian elders, “I have coveted no one’s silver, gold, or clothing” (Acts 20:33). He had also not corrupted anyone by false teaching or by pleasing words. He had not cheated anyone or pursued his own gain through crafty or greedy methods at another person’s expense. This is much like Samuel’s appeal in 1 Samuel 12. Ministers can more confidently expect respect from people when they can honestly say they have done nothing worthy of blame.

Paul also says that he is not speaking this way because he lacks affection for them (2 Corinthians 7:3, 4). He handled the Corinthians very carefully and tenderly, because some among them would gladly find an excuse to attack him and turn others against him. So he makes sure they do not misunderstand him. He loves them so much that he could spend his last breath with them and live and die among them, if his work among the other churches allowed it. His bold speech came from love, and his love led him to boast about them wherever he could. Even in their troubles, he was filled with comfort and overflowed with joy.