χωρήσατε ἡμᾶς κ. τ. λ.: make room for us, sc., in your hearts, i.e., let there be no στενοχωρία, (2 Corinthians 6:12); we wronged no man, we corrupted no man, we took advantage of no man. Apparently accusations of this sort had been laid to his charge (see esp. chap. 2 Corinthians 12:16-17), and he is, as ever (chap. 2 Corinthians 2:17; Acts 20:33), careful to assert their baselessness. It is an excessive refinement of exegesis which finds here distinct charges hinted at in the three words ἠδικήσαμεν, ἐφθείραμεν, ἐπλεονεκτήσαμεν. They are used quite generally, the only one that offers any ambiguity being the second, φθείρειν often (see reff.), though not always, carrying a reference to bodily defilement through lust; here (as at 1 Corinthians 3:17) it seems to connote injury of any sort.

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Old Testament