Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
These promises (tautav tav epaggeliav). So many and so precious (II Peter 2:4 epaggelmata; Hebrews 11:39 f.).
Let us cleanse ourselves (kaqariswmen eautouv). Old Greek used kaqairw (in N.T. only in John 15:2, to prune). In Koin‚ kaqarizw occurs in inscriptions for ceremonial cleansing (Deissmann, Bible Studies, p. 216f.). Paul includes himself in this volitive aorist subjunctive.
From all defilement (apo pantov molusmou). Ablative alone would have done, but with apo it is plainer as in Hebrews 9:14. Molusmov is a late word from molunw, to stain (see on I Corinthians 8:7), to pollute. In the LXX, Plutarch, Josephus. It includes all sorts of filthiness, physical, moral, mental, ceremonial, "of flesh and spirit." Missionaries in China and India can appreciate the atmosphere of pollution in Corinth, for instance.
Perfecting holiness (epitelountev agiosunhn). Not merely negative goodness (cleansing), but aggressive and progressive (present tense of epitelew) holiness, not a sudden attainment of complete holiness, but a continuous process (I Thessalonians 3:13; Romans 1:4; Romans 1:6).
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing 2 Corinthians 7:1:
Romans 1:4
1 Peter 5:9
Jude 1:23
Revelation 19:7
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