“Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have cheated no one. I do not say this to condemn; for I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation” (2 Corinthians 7:2-4).
After summarizing some final thoughts from the end of the previous chapter, Paul the Apostle returned to complete a similar task in regard to another idea from 2 Corinthians chapter six: “O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open… Open your hearts to us” (2 Corinthians 6:11, 7:1). He then went on to defend this heartfelt appeal with three specific affirmations.
He began by saying, “We have wronged no one…” Despite any claims to the contrary, Paul had not acted unjustly towards those within the Corinthian fellowship. While some members of their congregation might have been offended by his direct approach, Paul had inflicted no damage or harm upon anyone within the church. And for those who may have been hurt by the content of his letters, Paul will direct their attention to the good things that emerged from his correspondence a little later in this chapter.
He then continued by saying, “ we have corrupted no one…” In other words, Paul led no one astray nor did he attempt to manipulate or influence anyone within the congregation to act in an inappropriate manner. Instead, Paul consistently encouraged the Corinthians to adopt God-honoring standards in their financial arrangements, moral choices, social interactions, marital relationships, and personal conduct.
Finally, Paul maintained that “we have cheated no one…” The word “cheated” expresses the idea of an individual seeks to overreach his or her authority and gain an advantage over others. (1) While Paul did not hesitate to exercise his authority as an Apostle in his letters, he did not use that authority (or his position as the founder of the church at Corinth) for his own personal gain.
This ethical quality will become important later in this epistle as Paul will address a monetary collection for the Christians in Jerusalem was well as the proper attitude towards financial giving. So in each of these areas, Paul provides us with a good example to follow as we execute the responsibilities of daily life.
(1) G4122 pleonekteo https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?t=kjv&strongs=g4122