Now He that ministereth seed to the sower, both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: but I beseech not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith Ye look on things after the outward appearance. If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think HOMILIES OF S. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE, ON THE SECOND EPISTLE OF S. PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. 2 COR. i. 1-4. Paul, an Apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the Church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. It is meet to enquire, first, why to the former Epistle he adds a second; and what can be his reason for thus beginning with the mercies and consolation of God. Why then does he add a second Epistle? Whereas in the first he had said, I will come to you, and will know not the 1 Cor. 4, B 19. 16, 5. 6. 2 The reasons for writing this second Epistle. HOMIL. Speech of them which are puffed up, but the power; and I. - again towards the end had promised the same in milder 1 Cor. terms, thus, I will come unto you when I shall pass through Macedonia; for I do pass through Macedonia; and it may be that I will abide, yea, and winter with you; yet now after a long interval, he came not; but was still lingering and delaying even though the time appointed had passed away; the Spirit detaining him in other matters, of far greater necessity than these. For this reason, he had need to write a second Epistle, which he had not needed, had he but a little out-tarried his time. μικρὸν ὑστέρη asy. 5.6. 11. a But not for this reason only, but also because they were amended by the former; for him that had committed fornication, whom before they applauded; and were puffed up about, they had cut off, and separated altogether. And this 2 Cor. 2, he shews where he says, But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part you all; that I may not be too severe. Sufficient to such a man is this punishment which was inflicted of many. And as he proceeds, he alludes again 2 Cor.7, to the same thing when he says, For behold your sorrowing after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. Moreover, the collection also, which he enjoined, they gathered with much forwardness. Wherefore 2 Cor. 9, also he says, For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia that Achaia was ready a year ago. And Titus too, whom he sent, they received with all kindness, as he shews when he says again, 2 Cor.7, His inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. For all these reasons, he writes the second Epistle. For it was right, that, as when they were in fault he rebuked them, so upon their amendment he should approve and commend them. On which account the Epistle is not throughout so rebukeful, but only in a few parts towards the end. For there were even amongst them Jews who thought highly of themselves, and accused Paul, 2, 15. nara. Φορικώ τέρα. a λoyiar, Ben. siλeyíav, bounty, as 2 Cor. 9, 5. Engl. Vers. |