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.

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Ambrosiaster

AD 400

What Paul is saying is clear, but “defilement of the flesh” is to be interpreted in a complex way. Notice that he did not say “from defilement of the flesh” but “from every defilement of the flesh” in order to encourage us to flee from all carnal vices—everything which the law prohibits—so that we might perfect holiness of the Spirit in the fear of God. We do this by pursuing the things which are right in the fear of God and which are therefore holy, abstaining from sins in the name of Christ. People who restrain themselves from vices without professing Christ may seem to be set apart according to the world but not according to the Spirit of God. Only those who believe are made clean. Others, whatever they may be like, remain unclean. Commentary on Paul’s Epistles.

1 min1/10

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Basil the Great

AD 379

Here we are instructed to marvel at the unspeakable benevolence of God in Christ Jesus and with the greater fear to cleanse ourselves of every defilement of the flesh and the spirit.

< 1 min2/10

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Clement Of Alexandria

AD 215

Has ergo habentes promissiones, mundemus nos ipsos ab omni inquinamento carnis et spiritus, perficientes sanctitatem in timore Dei.". ""And I "He says, "will receive you; and I will be to you for a Father, and ye shall be to Me for sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.". For this same thing that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what earnestness it wrought in you; yea, what clearing of yourselves; yea, what compunction; yea, what fear; yea, what desire; yea, what zeal; yea, revenge! In all things ye have showed yourselves clear in the matter."

< 1 min3/10

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Cornelius a Lapide

AD 1637

Having therefore these promises. The promises that, Christians should be the temples of God, should be His sons and daughters, and should have God dwelling in them and walking in them. Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. From this passage theologians draw the division of sin into that which is fleshly and that which is spiritual. The first has to do with a carnal object, and makes man like a beast, as, e.g, gluttony, lust, and drunkenness. The second has to do with a spiritual object, and makes man like a devil, as e.g, anger, pride, envy. S. Basil (Reg53) says appropriately that "filthiness of the flesh denotes carnal actions, and filthiness of the spirit is having intercourse with them that do such things, as, e.g, the Corinthians had with the fornicator whom the Apostle bade them wholly to avoid." Perfecting holiness. So that the mind, purged from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, may be perfectly holy and pure, given in the fear of God to good... Read More

1 min4/10

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Cornelius a Lapide

AD 1637

SYNOPSIS OF THE CHAPTER i. He declares his love, sincerity, and his confidence in the Corinthians. ii. He declares (ver6) his joy at their repentance and amendment. iii. He states (ver10) the signs and acts of true repentance. iv. He names (ver13) Titus as his witness for the repentance, love, and obedience of the Corinthians.

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George Leo Haydock

AD 1849

Having, therefore, these promises, mentioned just before, that God would be a father to us let us cleanse ourselves from all filth or defilement of the flesh, and of the spirit, that is, from all kind of sins. It is not without good grounds, that St. Thomas Aquinas, and the divines in the schools, tell us, that some sins, as those of impurity, gluttony, and drunkenness, may be called carnal sins, bring disorders that in a particular manner affect and defile the body: and that (though all sins whatsoever defile the soul, and when they are such as are called mortal, bring a spiritual death to the soul, by depriving her of the grace of God) other kinds of sins may be called spiritual sins, their malice and disorder affecting, and residing, as it were, in the mind or spirit of man; such are all the sins of pride, envy, idolatry (Witham)

1 min6/10

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John Chrysostom

AD 407

Not touching unclean things is not enough to make us clean. Something else is needed for us to become holy—earnestness in faith, heedfulness and piety.

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John Chrysostom

AD 407

Having therefore these promises, beloved. What promises? That we should be temples of God, sons and daughters, have Him indwelling, and walking in us, be His people, have Him for our God and Father. Let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit. Let us neither touch unclean things, for this is cleansing of the flesh; nor things which defile the soul, for this is cleansing of the spirit. Yet he is not content with this only, but adds also, Perfecting holiness in the fear of God. For not to touch the unclean thing does not make clean, but there needs something else besides to our becoming holy; earnestness, heedfulness, piety. And he well said, In the fear of God. For it is possible to perfect chasteness, not in the fear of God but for vainglory. And along with this he implies yet another thing, by saying, In the fear of God; the manner, namely, whereafter holiness may be perfected. For if lust be even an imperious thing, still if you occupy its territory w... Read More

8 mins8/10

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Tertullian of Carthage

AD 220

When also he (in a later passage) enjoins us "to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and blood". This (thread of discourse) also you spin out, O apostle, when at the very moment you yourself are offering your hand to so huge a whirlpool of impurities; nay, you super add yet further, 'Having therefore this promise, beloved, cleanse we ourselves out from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting chastity in God's fear.'"

< 1 min9/10

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The Apostolic Constitutions

AD 375

Let him that offers himself to baptism learn these and the like things during the time that he is a catechumen; and let him who lays his hands upon him adore God, the Lord of the whole world, and thank Him for His creation, for His sending Christ His only begotten Son, that He might save man by blot-ring out his transgressions, and that He might remit ungodliness and sins, and might "purify him from all filthiness of flesh and spirit". Es in His law day and night; strengthen them in piety, unite them to and number them with His holy flock; vouchsafe them the layer of regeneration, and the garment of in corruption, which is the true life; and deliver them from all ungodliness, and give no place to the adversary against them; "and cleanse them from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, and dwell in them, and walk in them, by His Christ; bless their goings out and their comings in, and order their affairs for their good.". cleanse them from all filthiness of flesh and spirit. And let the bi... Read More

2 mins10/10

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