2 COR 7:1 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Dear brothers and sisters, because we have those promises we should avoid doing anything that would defile our bodies or our spirits, thus staying pure due to our respect for God.

Key: khaki:verbs, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object, magenta:vocative.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT Therefore, beloved, having these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

UST So then, fellow believers whom I love, because God has promised these things to us, we should get rid of everything that defiles us on the outside and on the inside. We should become completely holy as we fear God.

BLB Therefore having these promises, beloved, we should cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

AICNT Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

OEB With these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that pollutes either body or spirit, and, in deepest respect for God, aim at perfect holiness.

WEBBE Having therefore these promises, beloved, let’s cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that could defile the body and the spirit, and thus accomplish holiness out of reverence for God.

LSV Having, then, these promises, beloved, may we cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting sanctification in the fear of God;

FBV Dear friends, since we have these promises, we should wash ourselves clean from all that makes both body and spirit dirty, aiming for complete holiness out of reverence for God.

TCNT Therefore, since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of the flesh and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

T4T My friends, whom I love, because God has promised to accept us(inc) as his children, we (inc) must stop doing anything that is sinful. We must not do sinful things with our bodies, and we must not think sinful thoughts. Because we greatly revere God, we must strive to live a completely pure life. By doing that we will become the kind of people that he wants us to be.

LEB Therefore since we[fn] have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of body and spirit, accomplishing holiness in the fear of God.

7:1 *Here “since” is supplied as a component of the participle (“have”) which is understood as causal

BBE Because God, then, will give us such rewards, dear brothers, let us make ourselves clean from all evil of flesh and spirit, and become completely holy in the fear of God.

Moff As these great promises are ours, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates either flesh or spirit; let us be fully consecrated by reverence for God].

Wymth Having therefore these promises, beloved friends, let us purify ourselves from all defilement of body and of spirit, and secure perfect holiness through the fear of God.

ASV Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

DRA Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and of the spirit, perfecting sactification in the fear of God.

YLT Having, then, these promises, beloved, may we cleanse ourselves from every pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting sanctification in the fear of God;

Drby Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us purify ourselves from every pollution of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in [fn]God's fear.

7.1 Elohim

RV Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

SLT Therefore having these declarations, dearly let us cleanse ourselves from all defilements of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Wbstr 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.

KJB-1769 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.

KJB-1611 ¶ Hauing therefore these promises (dearely beloued) let vs cleanse our selues from all filthines of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holinesse in the feare of God.
(¶ Having therefore these promises (dearely beloved) let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.)

Bshps Seyng that we haue these promises (dearely beloued) let vs clense our selues from all fylthynesse of the flesshe & spirite, and growe vp to full holynesse in the feare of God.
(Seeing that we have these promises (dearely beloved) let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and grow up to full holiness in the fear of God.)

Gnva Seing then we haue these promises, dearely beloued, let vs clense our selues from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit, and finish our sanctification in the feare of God.
(Seing then we have these promises, dearely beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, and finish our sanctification in the fear of God. )

Cvdl Seynge now that we haue soch promyses (dearly beloued) let vs clense oureselues from all fylthynes of the flesh and sprete, and growe vp to full holynes in ye feare of God.
(Seeing now that we have such promises (dearly beloved) let us cleanse ourselves from all fylthynes of the flesh and spirit, and grow up to full holiness in ye/you_all fear of God.)

TNT Seynge that we have soche promeses derely beloved let vs clense oure selves from all fylthynes of the flesshe and sprete and growe vp to full holynes in the feare of God.
(Seeing that we have such promeses derely beloved let us cleanse our selves from all fylthynes of the flesh and spirit and grow up to full holiness in the fear of God. )

Wycl Therfor, most dereworthe britheren, we that han these biheestis, clense we vs fro al filthe of the fleische and of the spirit, doynge holynesse in the drede of God.
(Therefore, most dear/precious brethren/brothers, we that have these behests/promises, cleanse we us from all filth of the flesh and of the spirit, doing holiness in the dread of God.)

Luth Dieweil wir nun solche Verheißung haben, meine Liebsten, so lasset uns von aller Befleckung des Fleisches und des Geistes uns reinigen und fortfahren mit der Heiligung in der Furcht Gottes.
(Dieweil we/us now such promise(n) have, my Liebsten, so let us/to_us/ourselves from all Befleckung the fleshes and the spirit us/to_us/ourselves clean(v) and fortfahren with the/of_the Holyung in the/of_the fear(n) God’s.)

ClVg Has ergo habentes promissiones, carissimi, mundemus nos ab omni inquinamento carnis et spiritus, perficientes sanctificationem in timore Dei.[fn]
(Has therefore having promises, carissimi, mundemus us away all inquinamento of_flesh and spirit, perficientes sanctification in/into/on with_fear of_God. )

7.1 Ab omni iniquitate. Scilicet mentis: quod tunc fit, si timorem Dei sequimur, quia qui sine Deo hæc agit, sanctus mundi est, non Dei. Ab omni inquinamento carnis. Id est carnalis observantiæ, et perficientes sanctificationem quæ est tantum Spiritus sancti.

7.1 From all iniquity. Of_course of_the_mind: that then fit, when/but_if fear of_God to_followmur, because who/which without to_God these_things acts, holy world it_is, not/no of_God. From all inquinamento of_flesh. That it_is carnal/bodily observantiæ, and perficientes sanctification which it_is only Spirit holy.

UGNT ταύτας οὖν ἔχοντες τὰς ἐπαγγελίας, ἀγαπητοί, καθαρίσωμεν ἑαυτοὺς ἀπὸ παντὸς μολυσμοῦ σαρκὸς καὶ πνεύματος, ἐπιτελοῦντες ἁγιωσύνην ἐν φόβῳ Θεοῦ.
(tautas oun eⱪontes tas epangelias, agapaʸtoi, katharisōmen heautous apo pantos molusmou sarkos kai pneumatos, epitelountes hagiōsunaʸn en fobōi Theou.)

SBL-GNT ταύτας οὖν ἔχοντες τὰς ἐπαγγελίας, ἀγαπητοί, καθαρίσωμεν ἑαυτοὺς ἀπὸ παντὸς μολυσμοῦ σαρκὸς καὶ πνεύματος, ἐπιτελοῦντες ἁγιωσύνην ἐν φόβῳ θεοῦ.
(tautas oun eⱪontes tas epangelias, agapaʸtoi, katharisōmen heautous apo pantos molusmou sarkos kai pneumatos, epitelountes hagiōsunaʸn en fobōi theou.)

RP-GNT Ταύτας οὖν ἔχοντες τὰς ἐπαγγελίας, ἀγαπητοί, καθαρίσωμεν ἑαυτοὺς ἀπὸ παντὸς μολυσμοῦ σαρκὸς καὶ πνεύματος, ἐπιτελοῦντες ἁγιωσύνην ἐν φόβῳ θεοῦ.
(Tautas oun eⱪontes tas epangelias, agapaʸtoi, katharisōmen heautous apo pantos molusmou sarkos kai pneumatos, epitelountes hagiōsunaʸn en fobōi theou.)

TC-GNT Ταύτας οὖν ἔχοντες τὰς ἐπαγγελίας, ἀγαπητοί, καθαρίσωμεν ἑαυτοὺς ἀπὸ παντὸς μολυσμοῦ σαρκὸς καὶ πνεύματος, ἐπιτελοῦντες ἁγιωσύνην ἐν φόβῳ Θεοῦ.
(Tautas oun eⱪontes tas epangelias, agapaʸtoi, katharisōmen heautous apo pantos molusmou sarkos kai pneumatos, epitelountes hagiōsunaʸn en fobōi Theou. )

Key for above GNTs: yellow:punctuation differs (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 6:11–7:4: Paul urged them to love him and live holy lives

In this section, Paul told the believers in Corinth that he loved them completely (6:11), but the believers did not love him completely (6:12). He urged them to love him completely (6:13).

Then he urged them to avoid partnerships with unbelievers (6:14a) and used five rhetorical questions (6:14b–16a) to support this exhortation. He also supported this exhortation with quotes from the Old Testament (6:16b–18). On the basis of these quotes, he then urged them to live pure lives (7:1).

He again urged them to love him (7:2a) and explained that he had not wronged anyone (7:2b). He explained that his love was complete (7:3) and he was very confident in them and very happy for them (7:4).

Other examples of headings for this section are:

Open your hearts to us, and live holy lives

Love us as we love you and live pure lives

7:1a

Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises,

Therefore, my loved friends, having those promises,
You^(plur) whom I love, since God promised those things to us^(incl),

Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises: Here the term of address, beloved, comes after Paul begins saying something to the Corinthians. In Greek the term of address is literally at the end of this clause, and some English versions translate it that way. For example:

Since we have these promises, beloved (ESV)

In some languages it is more natural to have the term of address first. For example:

Dear friends, since we have these promises

Therefore…since we have these promises: The Greek words are literally “Therefore, having these promises” (as in the NASB). The conjunction Therefore indicates that the exhortation of 7:1b–c is based on the promises in Scripture that Paul quoted in 6:16c–18. The phrase since we have these promises reminds the reader of what Paul just said and prepares him for the exhortation in 7:1b–c. Other ways to translate this clause are:

God has made us these promises. So… (CEV)

Those are the promises that were made to us, therefore

these promises: The word these is emphasized in the Greek. It is not possible to emphasize this word in English in the same way. If possible, emphasize this word in your language. Here is one way that you may be able to emphasize this:

These are the promises we have, beloved, so let us…

This phrase refers to the promises in 6:16–18. Clearly refer to them here. For example:

those promises

beloved: The Greek word that the BSB translates as beloved refers to people who are loved. Paul loved the believers in Corinth, so he addressed them with this Greek word. Other ways to translate this Greek word are:

You^(plur) whom I love

my loved friends

7:1b

let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit,

we^(incl) must cleanse ourselves from every practice that defiles body and spirit,
let us avoid all practices that make any part of us bad/disgusting before God.

let us cleanse ourselves from: Here the verb cleanse refers figuratively to no longer sinning. Sin figuratively contaminates body and spirit. Other ways to translate this are:

let us separate from

we should stay away from (CEV)

we ought to turn our backs on

we must stop doing

let us: By saying let us, Paul included himself in this exhortation to the Corinthians to purify themselves. This grammar reminded the believers that Paul had a relationship with them and would do things with them.

everything that defiles body and spirit: The phrase body and spirit refers to the whole person. All practices that go against God’s desires can hurt the body or the spirit of a person. Other ways to translate this are:

every defilement of body and spirit (RSV)

everything that makes body or soul/spirit religiously unclean

all things that make any part of us bad/disgusting before God

7:1c

perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

and we must make holiness perfect by means of fearing and revering God.
Let us also work to be completely holy by living in awe of God.

perfecting holiness in the fear of God: There are several ways to interpret how 7:1c is connected to 7:1b:

This is the second thing that Paul exhorts himself and the believers to do. For example:
and make holiness perfect in the fear of God (RSV) (RSV, GNT, NLT, GW, CEV, REB, NCV)
7:1c is the result or purpose of Paul and the believers purifying themselves (7:1b). For example:
and thus accomplish holiness out of reverence for God (NET) (NJB, NRSV, NET, ESV)
7:1c explains how Paul and the believers are to purify themselves (7:1b). For example:
perfecting holiness in the fear of God (NASB) (BSB, NIV, NABRE, NASB, KJV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).Harris (p. 496), Kistemaker (p. 233), and Hughes (on TW) translate according to interpretation (1).

perfecting holiness: This phrase refers to the believer becoming more and more holy until he is completely holy. The believer makes himself more holy by following God’s holy ways. Here is another way to translate this:

make holiness perfect (RSV)

holiness: This word refers to living without doing evil or sinning. The person separates himself from everything that contaminates body and spirit. Other ways to translate this word are:

consecration (REB)

pure/righteous/spotless life

without any blemish/wrong-doing

in the fear of God: This phrase probably indicates that believers were to become perfectly holy by fearing God. For example:

by living in awe of God (GNT)

the fear of God: The Greek word that the BSB translates as fear is sometimes translated as “reverence” (as in the NIV). Here the Greek word means to “respect” or “revere.” People who fear God are humble before God and are in awe of him. They also realize he is all-powerful and does as he chooses. So they respect and honor him. In some languages the word fear only means “be afraid of.” If that is true in your language, you may want to:

Include the meaning of “respect” or “venerate.” For example:
fear and respect/revere God
Translate the meaning of fear as “respect” or “venerate.” For example:
honor God

See how you translated this word (fear) in 5:11.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

οὖν

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ταύτας Οὖν ἔχοντες τάς ἐπαγγελίας ἀγαπητοί καθαρίσωμεν ἑαυτούς ἀπό παντός μολυσμοῦ σαρκός καί πνεύματος ἐπιτελοῦντες ἁγιωσύνην ἐν φόβῳ Θεοῦ)

Here, the word Therefore introduces an inference from what Paul has already said, especially what he said in [6:16–18](../06/16.md) about being God’s temple and family. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces an inference from a previous section. Alternate translation: [Because of that] or [On account of those things]

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

ἔχοντες

having

Here, the word having introduces a reason why believers should cleanse themselves. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make the relationship more explicit. Alternate translation: [since we have]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ταύτας & ἔχοντες τὰς ἐπαγγελίας

these & having (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ταύτας Οὖν ἔχοντες τάς ἐπαγγελίας ἀγαπητοί καθαρίσωμεν ἑαυτούς ἀπό παντός μολυσμοῦ σαρκός καί πνεύματος ἐπιτελοῦντες ἁγιωσύνην ἐν φόβῳ Θεοῦ)

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of promises, you could express the idea by using a verb such as “promise” or “pledge.” Alternate translation: [having been promised these things] or [God having pledged these things]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ταύτας & τὰς ἐπαγγελίας

these & (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ταύτας Οὖν ἔχοντες τάς ἐπαγγελίας ἀγαπητοί καθαρίσωμεν ἑαυτούς ἀπό παντός μολυσμοῦ σαρκός καί πνεύματος ἐπιτελοῦντες ἁγιωσύνην ἐν φόβῳ Θεοῦ)

Here Paul is referring to the promises from the Old Testament that he quoted in [6:16–18](../06/16.md), which indicate that believers are God’s people, that God will welcome them, and that they are God’s sons and daughters. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a form that clearly refers back to those promises. Alternate translation: [the promises that I have quoted] or [those promises]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

καθαρίσωμεν ἑαυτοὺς

˱we˲_˓may˒_cleanse (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ταύτας Οὖν ἔχοντες τάς ἐπαγγελίας ἀγαπητοί καθαρίσωμεν ἑαυτούς ἀπό παντός μολυσμοῦ σαρκός καί πνεύματος ἐπιτελοῦντες ἁγιωσύνην ἐν φόβῳ Θεοῦ)

By us and ourselves, Paul means himself, his fellow workers, and the Corinthians, so use the inclusive form of those words in your translation if your language marks that distinction.

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

παντὸς μολυσμοῦ σαρκὸς

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of defilement, you could express the idea by using a verb such as “defile” or “corrupt.” Alternate translation: [anything that corrupts flesh]

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

σαρκὸς καὶ πνεύματος

Here Paul uses the word flesh to refer to the outward part of people, particularly the body. He uses the word spirit to refer to the inward part of people, the part that thinks, feels, and makes decisions. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use words that refer to similar parts of a person. Alternate translation: [of body and soul] or [of the physical and the spiritual]

ἐπιτελοῦντες

accomplishing

The word perfecting could introduce: (1) another thing that believers should do while they are cleansing themselves. Alternate translation: [and let us perfect] or [as we perfect] (2) the result of the “cleansing.” Alternate translation: [so that we perfect] (3) how they “cleanse” themselves. Alternate translation: [by perfecting]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐπιτελοῦντες ἁγιωσύνην

accomplishing holiness

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of holiness, you could express the idea by using an adjective such as “holy.” Alternate translation: [perfecting how holy we are] or [growing to be perfectly holy]

Note 9 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

φόβῳ Θεοῦ

˓the˒_reverence ˱of˲_God

Here Paul uses the possessive form to identify fear that is directed toward God. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the idea in another way. See how you translated the similar phrase “fear of the Lord” in [5:11](../05/11.md). Alternate translation: [the fear that is directed to God] or [the fear that we experience for God]

Note 10 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ἐν φόβῳ Θεοῦ

in ˓the˒_reverence ˱of˲_God

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of fear, you could express the idea by using a verbal form of “fear.” Alternate translation: [in how we fear God] or [through fearing God]

Parallel 2 COR 7:1

Section 6:11–7:4: Paul urged them to love him and live holy lives

7:1a

7:1b

7:1c

Parallel 2 COR 7:1