ACC ~ 2 Corinthians 7 v1

EVERY DEFILEMENT. AMBROSIASTER: 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.

CLEANSING OURSELVES. BASIL: 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. CONCERNING BAPTISM 1.2.

MAKE HOLINESS PERFECT. CHRYSOSTOM: 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. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 13.

BODY AND SPIRIT. THEODORET OF CYR: Paul uses the word spirit in this verse to mean “soul.” COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 322.

2 Cor