Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Corinthians 7:2

"Open your hearts to us: we wronged no man, we corrupted no man, we took advantage of no man." — 2 Corinthians 7:2 (ASV)

Receive us. Tyndale translates this as, "understand us." The word used here (cwrhsate) properly means to give space, place, or room. In this context, it evidently means to make place or room for us in your affections; that is, to admit or receive us as your friends. It is an earnest plea that they would do what he had urged them to do in 2 Corinthians 6:13. See the notes on 2 Corinthians 6:13.

He had digressed from that topic at the end of the previous chapter. He now returns to the subject and seeks a place in their affections and love.

We have wronged no man. We have done injustice to no man. This is given as a reason why they should admit him to their full confidence and affection. It is not improbable that he had been charged with injuring the incestuous person by the severe discipline which he had found it necessary to inflict on him. See the notes on 1 Corinthians 5:5.

It is likely this charge was brought against him by the false teachers in Corinth. But Paul states here that, whatever the severity of the discipline, he was conscious of having done no injury to any member of that church.

It is possible, however, that he is not referring to any such charge here. Instead, he may be saying more generally that he had done no injury, and therefore there was no reason why they should not receive him with entire confidence.

It demonstrates a great consciousness of integrity when a man who has spent considerable time with others, as Paul had, is able to say that he had wronged no one in any way. Paul could not have made this solemn declaration unless he was certain he had lived a very blameless life. .

We have corrupted no man. This means that he had corrupted no one in their morals, either by his precept or by his example. The word (fyeirw) generally means to bring into a worse state or condition, and it is very often applied to morals. The idea here is that Paul had not, by his precept or example, made anyone worse. He had not corrupted their principles or habits, or led them into sin.

We have defrauded no man. We have taken no one's property by cunning, trickery, or deception. The word pleonektew literally means to have more than another, and then to take advantage, to seek unlawful gain, to circumvent, defraud, or deceive. The idea is that Paul had taken advantage of no circumstances to extort money from them, to overreach them, or to cheat them. It is the conviction of a man who was conscious that he had lived honestly, and who could appeal to them all as full proof that his life among them had been blameless.