2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Exhortation to set aside all suspicion and to confide in the Apostle's love and zeal for their spiritual well-being

2. Receive us Literally, Make room for us (-capaces estote nostri," Erasmus and Calvin. Tyndale and Cranmer, incorrectly, understonde us). The word here used is to be found in the sense of having room forin Mark 2:2; John 2:6; John 21:25. These words have reference to ch. 2 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 6:14, where see notes. The connection of what follows with what has just preceded is to be found in the thought which underlies the whole, that St Paul's only desire is the spiritual advancement of his flock.

we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man Perhaps these words should be rendered -we wronged, corrupted, defrauded no man," i.e. during the course of our ministry at Corinth. St Paul here refers to the charges brought against him. He had been accused of wrongingthe Corinthians by claiming an authority to which he had no right, and which he turned to his own account (see 1Co 9:1-6; 2 Corinthians 1:12-17; 2 Corinthians 5:12; 2Co 6:3-4; 2 Corinthians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 10:7-11; 2 Corinthians 11:7; 2 Corinthians 12:14); of corruptingthem by preaching false doctrine, 2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Corinthians 4:2 (unless, with Thomas Aquinas, we interpret it of bad example); of defraudingthem, 2 Corinthians 12:17-18, where the word here used is translated -make a gain of." To this he replies by challenging them to prove their assertions, to name a single instance in which he had done either. Dr Plumptre regards the words -corrupted" and -defrauded" as referring to sensual sin, and illustrates by the revolting charges of immorality brought against the Christians by those who misinterpreted their brotherly and sisterly affection. It is true that the word here translated -defrauded" seems to have a reference to something more than mere greed of gain. See note on 1 Corinthians 5:10-11. Still, the word translated -corrupted" and its derivatives do not appear to have had any such restricted sense in St Paul. See, for instance, 1 Corinthians 3:17, ch. 2 Corinthians 11:3 of this Epistle; and, in a less degree, Ephesians 4:22. And, however common such charges were in the days of Minucius Felix and Tertullian, they are not hinted at elsewhere in Scripture, but rather the contrary. See 1 Peter 4:4; 2 Peter 2:2.