Bible Strands
2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian congregation from Macedonia, urging them to respond to the new-covenant promises he has just enumerated (6:14–18) by turning from defilement.
The words — καθαρισώμεν (katharisōmen), aorist subjunctive imperative: "let us cleanse," a single decisive act, not a gradual process.
The thread — James 4:8 pairs hand-cleansing with heart-purification; 1 Peter 2:11 calls believers to abstain from fleshly desires that war against the soul; 1 Thessalonians 4:7 grounds the call in God's own purpose.
Why it lands — Paul includes himself in the command ("we"), making it a shared obligation rather than a charge laid on the reader alone. The demand is active: the reader must do the cleansing, not await it.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness.
- 1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.
- James 4:8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
- Proverbs 8:13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.
- Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
- 1 John 3:3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as Christ is pure.
- Ezekiel 36:25 I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.
- 2 Peter 1:4 Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.