2 Corinthians 7:1-7
Q.1. Why did Paul turn God’s promise of ‘sonship’ into a call for cleansing? What attitude toward God helps us to press on to holiness? – (2 Cor.7:1 c.f. 2 Cor.6:17-18)
Paul had explained in the previous chapter that sonship demands “being IN the world, but not OF the world”. He continued – having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor.7:1). In other words, we should live holy lives, to reflect that we are God’s children. We all fear something. Paul identified the fear of God as the basic attribute that produces holiness.
Q.2. What made Paul lack confidence in his relationship with the Corinthians? How great was his discomfort? What was his defence? How did his trial turn out? – (2 Cor.7:2-7 c.f. 2 Cor.7:8-9)
A cursory reading of the Corinthian letters shows that the church was afflicted by false teachers, division, unresolved sin, and false doctrine. This forced Paul to have to defend his authority (1 Cor.1:11-13; 11:17-18; 2 Cor.2:10:7-11; 11:1-6, 12-15; 12:11-13). He revealed that he and his companions could not escape anxiety from these trials, and that – we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within (2 Cor.7:5 c.f. 2 Cor.11:28). He claimed that the Corinthians could verify, that – we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, and we took advantage of no one (2 Cor.7:2). He was not condemning them, for he was confident in the genuineness of the work that God had done in their hearts (2 Cor.7:3-4). He had certainly struggled and suffered. Nonetheless he reported – 6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more (2 Cor.7:6-7). What a difference that positive report made for Paul and his companions.