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In verse one, Paul commands Christians to purify themselves. Purifying ourselves is a twofold action: turning away sin and turning toward God.

“Perfect holiness” means that the Corinthians were to have nothing to do with paganism; they were to make a clean break with their past and give themselves to God alone.

Paul was not suggesting that the Corinthians could become sinless in their faith. Instead, he was urging them to work at maturing in the faith. God provided them with all the resources they needed, and Christ’s Spirit would empower them to become Christlike.

2 Corinthians 7:1
Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.