Filthiness of flesh and spirit
Once more. When the apostle urges believers to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, 2 Corinthians 7:1, he plainly teaches that those believers were not yet cleansed from it. Will you answer, The person who abstains from all appearance of evil does, by that very fact, cleanse himself from all filthiness? Not in any way. For instance, a man reviles me. I feel resentment, which is filthiness of spirit. Yet I do not say a word. Here I abstain from all appearance of evil. But this does not cleanse me from that filthiness of spirit, as I know to my sorrow.
1771 text
6. Once more. When the apostle exhorts believers, to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, (2 Cor. vii. 1.) he plainly teaches, that those believers were not yet cleansed therefrom. Will you answer, “he that abstains from all appearance of evil, does ipso facto cleanse himself from all filthiness.” Not in any wise. For instance: a man reviles me. I feel resentment, which is filthiness of spirit. Yet I say not a word. Here I abstain from all appearance of evil. But this does not cleanse me from that filthiness of spirit, as I experience to my sorrow.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 13 in the 1771 Works. Second Corinthians 5:17.
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