{These promises} (	autas tas epaggelias). So many and so
precious ( 2Pe 2:4  epaggelmata;  Heb 11:39f. ). {Let us
cleanse ourselves} (katharis(936d)en heautous). Old Greek used
kathair(935c) (in N.T. only in  Joh 15:2 , to prune). In _Koin(825f)
kathariz(935c) occurs in inscriptions for ceremonial cleansing
(Deissmann, _Bible Studies_, p. 216f.). Paul includes himself in
this volitive aorist subjunctive. {From all defilement} (apo
pantos molusmou). Ablative alone would have done, but with apo
it is plainer as in  Heb 9:14 . Molusmos is a late word from
molun(935c), to stain (see on 气Co 8:7|), to pollute. In the LXX,
Plutarch, Josephus. It includes all sorts of filthiness,
physical, moral, mental, ceremonial, "of flesh and spirit."
Missionaries in China and India can appreciate the atmosphere of
pollution in Corinth, for instance. {Perfecting holiness}
(epitelountes hagiosun(886e)). Not merely negative goodness
(cleansing), but aggressive and progressive (present tense of
epitele(935c)) holiness, not a sudden attainment of complete
holiness, but a continuous process ( 1Th 3:13  Ro 1:4  1:6 ).