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39. But they who are delighted with them are fed by those fruits;
nor are they delighted with them "whose god is their belly." For
neither,in those that yield them are the things given the fruit, but
in what spirit they give them.
Therefore he who serves God and not his own belly, I plainly see why
he may rejoice; I see it, and I rejoice with him exceedingly. For
he hath received from the Philippians those things which they had sent
from Epaphroditus; but yet I see why he rejoiced. For whereat he
rejoices, upon that he feeds; for speaking in truth, "I
rejoiced," saith he, "in the Lord greatly, that now at the last
your care of me hath flourished again, wherein ye were also
careful,". but it had become wearisome unto you. These
Philippians, then, by protracted wearisomeness, had become
enfeebled, and as it were dried up, as to bringing forth this fruit of
a good work; and he rejoiceth for them, because they flourished
again, not for himself, because they ministered to his wants.
Therefore, adds he, "not that I speak in respect of want, for I
have learned in whatsoever state I am therewith to be content. I know
both how to be abused, and I know how to abound everywhere and in all
things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to
abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me."
40. Whereat, then, dost thou rejoice in all things, O great
Paul? Whereat dost thou rejoice? Whereon dost thou feed, O man,
re newed in the knowledge of God, after the image of Him that created
thee, thou living soul of so great continency, and thou tongue like
flying fowls, speaking mysteries, for to such creatures is this
food due, what is that which feeds thee? Joy. Let us hear what
follows. "Notwithstanding," saith he, "ye have well done that ye
did communicate with My affliction. Hereat doth he rejoice, hereon
doth he feed; because they have well done. not because his strait was
relieved, who saith unto thee, "Thou hast enlarged me when I was in
distress; . because he knew both "to abound and to suffer need," in
Thee Who strengthenest him. For, saith he, "ye Philippians know
also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from
Macedonia, no Church communicated with me as concerning giving and
receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and
again unto my necessity." Unto these good works he now rejoiceth that
they have returned; and is made glad that they flourished again, as
when a fruitful field recovers its greenness.
41. Was it on account of his own necessities that he said, "Ye
have sent unto my necessity "? Rejoiceth he for that? Verily not
for that. But whence know we this? Because he himself continues,
"Not because I desire a gift, but I desire fruit. From Thee, O
my God, have I learned to distinguish between a "gift" and
"fruit." A gift is the thing itself which he gives who bestows these
necessaries, as money, food, drink, clothing, shelter, aid; but
the fruit is the good and right will of the giver. For the good
Master saith not only, "He that receiveth a prophet," but addeth,
"in the name of a prophet." Nor saith He only, "He that
receiveth a righteous man," but addeth, "in the name of a righteous
man." So, verily, the former shall receive the reward of a
prophet, the latter that of a righteous man. Nor saith He only,
"Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of
cold water," but addeth, "in the name of a disciple" and so
concludeth, "Verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his
reward." The gift is to receive a prophet, to receive a righteous
man, to hand a cup of cold water to a disciple; but the fruit is to do
this in the name of a prophet, in the name of a righteous man, in the
name of a disciple. With fruit was Elijah fed by the widow, who knew
that she fed a man of God, and on this account fed him; but by the
raven was he fed with a gift. Nor was the inner man of Elijah fed,
but the outer only, which might also from want of such food have
perished.
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