Let Us Cleanse Ourselves from Every Defilement of Flesh and Spirit

 

Let Us Cleanse Ourselves from Every Defilement of Flesh and Spirit

 

2 Corinthians 7:1–2: "Therefore, beloved (*agapetoi*), having these promises, let us perfect holiness in the fear of God and cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit (*molysmos sarkos kai pneumatos*). Make room for us in your hearts (*chōrēsate*); we have wronged no one (*ephtheiramen*), harmed no one, and exploited no one (*epleonektēsamen*)."

*Agapetoi* refers to those loved by the Lord—meaning us, including Paul and the saints of the Corinthian church. *Molysmos sarkos kai pneumatos* refers to that which defiles both the flesh and the spirit. Here, *sarkos* does not mean the physical body (*sōma*), but rather the "body of sin" (flesh).

The "defilement of flesh and spirit" relates to the state where the spirit is dead due to the body of sin; the remedy is believing that the body of sin has died through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Romans 6:6–7 states: "We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been freed from sin."

We do not achieve holiness by striving to kill the body of sin through our own efforts; rather, God acknowledges the saint as holy because we believe that the body of sin died with Jesus on the cross. It is about believing that we have become godly and holy, and then engaging in the struggle against the fleshly body.

This is a matter of identity. Within the believer's heart, the "old self" exists, and the "new self" has also emerged. This old self signifies the "body of sin," whereas the believer's true identity is now the new self—one who is born again of the Holy Spirit and follows the Spirit.

Yet, manifestations of the old self still appear within the believer's heart. Although a fundamental change in identity has occurred, the old self keeps surfacing, much like weeds among the wheat. This mirrors the situation of the Israelites who, after entering Canaan, lived alongside the Canaanite people; they were called to reject the Canaanites' lifestyles, cultures, and religions. Nevertheless, some Israelites were swept up in those religious and cultural practices and turned to idol worship.

Believers, too, harbor an inherent tendency within their hearts to follow the "body of the flesh." This tendency persists until the physical body dies. Romans 8:3–5 states: "For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."

Paul urges us to break free from the flesh; this is a spiritual battle. We face daily attacks from the flesh. If a believer succumbs to the flesh and falls, they become vulnerable to "Satan's thorn." Therefore, one must remain vigilant and remember the call to "die daily."

The word *Chōrēsate* (Χωρήσατε) means "to make room" or "to prepare a place" for God to dwell. Because the Corinthians had become narrow-minded, they were attempting to distance themselves from Paul and his companions. *Ephtheiramen* (ἐφθείραμεν) means that one did not weaken another person's faith. *Epleonektēsamen* (ἐπλεονεκτήσαμεν) refers to exploiting others for one's own selfish desires.

2 Corinthians 7:3 states, "I do not say this to condemn you; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together (*synapothanein*) and to live together." *Synapothanein* (συναποθανεῖν) signifies dying with Jesus Christ, while *syzēn* (συζῆν) signifies living together.

The core of the Gospel lies in the death on the cross and the resurrection. Such situations can arise daily. Therefore, believers must seek *ho Logos*—the Word—who dwells within their spirits each day. Through this daily seeking, God reveals the believer's spiritual state and directs the path forward.

2 Corinthians 7:5–6 states, "For even when we came to Macedonia, our bodies (*sarx*) had no rest (*anesin*); we were troubled (*thlibomenoi*) on every side—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts (*parakalōn*) the downcast (*tapeinous*), comforted us by the coming of Titus (*tē parousia Titou*)."

The word *sarx*, translated here as "body" or "flesh," refers to the physical body. It signifies a body that has been reborn after the old physical body has died. This newly emerged *sarx* faces intense external pressure during evangelism, preventing it from finding rest. *Anesin* carries the meaning of "rest." Facing tribulation from every side places one in a position where one has no choice but to turn daily to the Christ who dwells within the spirit. It is a state of persisting uncertainty, where one does not know what to do.

Drawing on his own experience, Paul urges the believers in Corinth to likewise experience and move forward with the presence of Christ within their spirits; he does this by calling upon his disciple, Titus. He explains how Titus, too, faced great difficulties in this regard but ultimately resolved all issues after experiencing the presence of God.

*Parakalon* (παρακαλῶν) means "to exhort" or "to comfort," while *tapeinous* (ταπεινοὺς) refers to the lowly or humble. It is God who exhorts the lowly. *Parousia* (παρουσίᾳ) signifies the Lord's presence. The phrase *tē parousia Titou* (τῇ παρουσίᾳ Τίτου) implies that Titus had come to embody the presence of the Lord; thus, it is the Lord who offers exhortation through Titus. This exhortation was directed at the members of the Corinthian church, specifically addressing their spiritual condition.

If someone like Titus were to appear in a church community today and offer counsel regarding the believers' spiritual state, he would likely be immediately rejected. They refuse to accept such counsel because their hearts have become hardened. Modern church communities are tainted by legalism, prosperity theology, and Gnosticism; consequently, they make no effort to break free from these influences and refuse to listen when their spiritual condition is addressed.