NOTES for Co2 7:1-9

Summing up everything that has been said about the Kingdom, witness, and relationships between the inhabitants of the Kingdom, Paul concludes that he should not regret what he had previously said about some of the Corinthian brothers (vv. 1-4). Indeed, if, as the apostle learned, they were completely sincere in their concern for him when he faced serious difficulties in Macedonia (vv. 5-7), then they understood him correctly and did not take offence at reproaches that were entirely justified in this case. Paul can therefore rest assured that if there is no offence, then the problem has evidently been recognised and there is repentance for the sin to which the apostle had drawn the Corinthian church's attention.

Of course, no one can take pleasure in having such a thing pointed out to them, but the outcome can differ depending on the reaction of those whose sin is identified, and Paul is glad that on this occasion the reaction was appropriate (vv. 8-9). The point is probably not only that they listened to his words and followed his advice, but that in doing so the Corinthian brothers bore witness to their trust in the apostle, both spiritually and on the purely human level.

Indeed, one can heed criticism only if, first, one trusts the experience and knowledge of the person offering it, assuming that he can be relied upon in this regard, and second, which is no less important, one trusts him as a person, being certain that his advice and criticism are prompted neither by self-interest nor by a desire for self-assertion, but by concern for one's neighbours. The relationships formed between the inhabitants of the Kingdom certainly allow for criticism, but in every case they presuppose the sincerity, integrity, and goodwill of the person offering it. Thus for Paul, the appropriate response of the Corinthian brothers becomes a sign that they received his words as Christians receiving them from a Christian, in the manner proper to the inhabitants of the Kingdom.

In today’s reading the apostle Paul emphasizes that holiness is the norm of life to which all Christians are called. The logic of his words rests on what he wrote in the preceding lines, at the end of chapter 6 (although the original letter, like all manuscripts of the first centuries, was not divided into chapters, so the thought was not interrupted). Thus, the apostle spoke of God’s promise to adopt the disciples of Christ as His children. Then, in today’s reading, he continues: precisely because this promise has been given to us, we should cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit. Not for the sake of the state of the body or spirit in itself, but for the sake of the promise, because God receives us. The words “perfecting holiness (άγιοσύνη, holiness) in the fear of God” speak precisely of reverent awe before the unmerited and immeasurable love of the Almighty. This is important because we are prone to succumb to the temptation of asceticism for its own sake. That is not what is needed at all. As the Lord Himself says: if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. Only then will we find the desire, the strength, and the ability to do so. This is why the central theme of the apostles’ preaching is Christ’s self-giving love on the cross, not threats of retribution.