2 Corinthians 7 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Let us cleanse ourselves — This is the latter part of the exhortation, which was proposed, 2 Corinthians 6:1, and resumed, 2 Corinthians 6:14. From all pollution of the flesh — All outward sin. And of the spirit — All inward. Yet let us not rest in negative religion, but perfect holiness — Carrying it to the height in all its branches, and enduring to the end in the loving fear of God, the sure foundation of all holiness.

Receive us — The sum of what is said in this, as well as in the tenth and following chapters. We have hurt no man — In his person. We have corrupted no man — In his principles. We have defrauded no man — Of his property. In this he intimates likewise the good he had done them, but with the utmost modesty, as it were not looking upon it.

I speak not to condemn you — Not as if I accused you of laying this to my charge. I am so far from thinking so unkindly of you, that ye are in our hearts, to live and die with you — That is, I could rejoice to spend all my days with you.

I am filled with comfort — Of this he treats, 2 Corinthians 7:6, &c.; of his joy, 2 Corinthians 7:7, &c.; of both, 2 Corinthians 7:13.

Our flesh — That is, we ourselves. Had no rest from without — From the heathens. Were fightings — Furious and cruel oppositions. From within — From our brethren. Were fears — Lest they should be seduced.

Your earnest desire — To rectify what had been amiss. Your grief — For what had offended God, and troubled me.

I did repent — That is, I felt a tender sorrow for having grieved you, till I saw the happy effect of it.

The sorrow of the world — Sorrow that arises from worldly considerations. Worketh death — Naturally tends to work or occasion death, temporal, spiritual, and eternal.

How great diligence it wrought in you — Shown in all the following particulars. Yea, clearing of yourselves — Some had been more, some less, faulty; whence arose these various affections. Hence their apologizing and indignation, with respect to themselves; their fear and desire, with respect to the apostle; their zeal and revenge, with respect to the offender, yea, and themselves also. Clearing of yourselves — From either sharing in, or approving of, his sin. Indignation — That ye had not immediately corrected the offender. Fear — Of God's displeasure, or lest I should come with a rod. Vehement desire — To see me again. Zeal — For the glory of God, and the soul of that sinner. Yea, revenge — Ye took a kind of holy revenge upon yourselves, being scarce able to forgive yourselves. In all things ye — As a church. Have approved yourselves to be pure — That is, free from blame, since ye received my letter.

It was not only, or chiefly, for the sake of the incestuous person, or of his father; but to show my care over you.