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2 COR. XI. 21.
Yet whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak in
foolishness,) I am bold also.
SEE him again drawing back and using
depreciation and correctives beforehand,
although he has already even said many such
things: "Would that ye could bear with me in a
little foolishness;" (Ver. 1.) and
again, "Let no man think me foolish: if ye
do, yet as foolish receive me." (Ver.
16.) "That which I speak, I speak not
after the Lord, but as in foolishness."
(Ver. 17.) "Seeing that many glory after
the flesh, I will glory also;" (Ver.
18.) and here again, "Whereinsoever any is
bold, (I speak in foolishness) I am bold
also." Boldness and folly he calls it to speak
aught great of himself, and that though there
was a necessity, teaching us even to an excess
to avoid any thing of the sort. For if after we
have done all, we ought to call ourselves
unprofitable; of what forgiveness can he be
worthy who, when no reason presses, exalts
himself and boasts? Therefore also did the
Pharisee meet the fate he did, and even in
harbor suffered shipwreck because he struck upon
this rock. Therefore also doth Paul, although
he sees very ample necessity for it, draw back
nevertheless, and keep on observing that such
speaking is a mark of foolishness. And then at
length he makes the venture, putting forward the
plea of necessity, and says, Ver. 22.
"Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they
Israelites? so am I."
For it was not all Hebrews that were
Israelites, since both the Ammonites and
Moabites were Hebrews. Wherefore he added
somewhat to clear his nobility of descent, and
says, Ver. 22, 23. "Are they the seed
of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of
Christ. (I speak as one beside himself,) I
more."
He is not content with his former deprecation,
but uses it again here also. "I speak as one
beside himself, I more." I am their superior
and their better. And indeed he possessed clear
proofs of his superiority, but nevertheless even
so he terms the thing a folly. And yet if they
were false Apostles, he heeded not to have
introduced his own superiority by way of
comparison, but to have destroyed their claim to
"be ministers" at all. Well, he did destroy
it, saying, "False Apostles, deceitful
workers, fashioning themselves into Apostles of
Christ," (Ver. 13.) but now he doth not
proceed in that way, for his discourse was about
to proceed to strict examination; and no one
when an examination is in hand simply asserts;
but having first stated the case in the way of
comparison, he shows it to be negatived by the
facts, a very strong negative. But besides,
it is their opinion he gives, not his own
assertion, when he says, "Are they ministers
of Christ?" And having said, "I more,"
he proceeds in his comparison, and shows that
not by bare assertions, but by furnishing the
proof that facts supply, he maintains the
impress of the Apostleship. And leaving all
his miracles, he begins with his trials; thus
saying, "In labors more abundantly, in
stripes above measure." This latter is greater
than the former; to be both beaten and
scourged.
"In prisons more abundantly." Here too again
is there an increase. "In deaths oft." (1
Cor. xv. 31.) For, "I die," saith
he, "daily." But here, even in reality;
'for I have oft been delivered into mortal
dangers."
Ver. 24. "Of the Jews five times received
I forty stripes save one."
Why, "save one?" There was an ancient law
that he who had received more than the forty
should be held disgraced amongst them. Lest
then the vehemence and impetuosity of the
executioner by inflicting more than the number
should cause a man to be disgraced, they decreed
that they should be inflicted, "save one,"
that even if the executioner should exceed, he
might not overpass the forty, but remaining
within the prescribed number might not bring
degradation on him that was scourged.
Ver. 25. "Thrice was I beaten with rods
once was I stoned, thrice I suffered
shipwreck."
And what has this to do with the Gospel?
Because he went forth on long journeys; and
those by sea.
"A night and a day I have been in the deep."
Some say this means out on the open sea,
others, swimming upon it, which is also the
truer interpretation. There is nothing
wonderful, at least, about the former, nor
would he have placed it as greater than his
shipwrecks.
Ver. 26. "In perils of rivers."
For he was compelled also to cross rivers.
"In perils of robbers, in perils in the city,
in perils in the wilderness." 'Everywhere
were contests set before me, in places, in
countries, in cities, in deserts.'
"In perils from the Gentiles, in perils
amongst false brethren."
Behold another kind of warfare. For not only
did such as were enemies strike at him, but
those also who played the hypocrite; and he had
need of much firmness, much prudence.
Ver. 27. "In labor and travail."
Perils succeed to labors, labors to perils,
one upon other and unintermitted, and allowed
him not to take breath even for a little.
Ver. 27, 28. "In journeyings often, in
hunger and thirst and nakedness, besides those
things that are without."
What is left out is more than what is
enumerated. Yea rather, one cannot count the
number of those even which are enumerated; for
he has not set them down specifically, but has
mentioned those the number of which was small and
easily comprehended, saying, "thrice" and
"thrice," (Ver. 25.) and [again]
"once;" but of the others he does not mention
the number because he had endured them often.
And he recounts not their results as that he had
converted so many and so many, but only what he
suffered on behalf of the Preaching; at once
out of modesty, and as showing that even should
nothing have been gained but labor, even so his
title to wages has been fulfilled.
"That which presseth upon me daily." The
tumults, the disturbances, the assaults of
mobs, onsets of cities. For the Jews waged
war against this man most of all because he most
of all confounded them, and his changing sides
all at once was the greatest refutation of their
madness. And there breathed a mighty war
against him, from his own people, from
strangers, from false brethren; and every where
were billows and precipices, in the inhabited
world, in the uninhabited, by land, by sea,
without, within. And he had not even a full
supply of necessary food, nor even of thin
clothing, but the champion of the world wrestled
in nakedness and fought in hunger; so far was he
from enriching himself. Yet he murmured not,
but was grateful for these things to the Judge
of the combat.
"Anxiety for all the Churches." This was
the chief thing of all, that his soul too was
distracted, and his thoughts divided. For even
if nothing from without had assailed him; yet
the war within was enough, those waves on
waves, that sleet of cares, that war of
thoughts. For if one that hath charge of but a
single house, and hath servants and
superintendents and stewards, often cannot take
breath for cares, though there be none that
molests him: he that hath the care not of a
single house, but of cities and peoples and
nations and of the whole world; and in respect
to such great concerns, and with so many
spitefully entreating him, and single-handed,
and suffering so many things, and so tenderly
concerned as not even a father is for his
children--consider what he endured. For that
thou mayest not say, What if he was anxious,
yet the anxiety was slight, he added further the
intensity of the care, saying, Ver. 29.
"Who is weak, and I am not weak?" He did
not say, 'and I share not in his dejection?'
but, 'so am I troubled and disturbed, as
though I myself were laboring under that very
affection, that very infirmity.'
"Who is made to stumble, and I burn not?"
See, again, how he places before us the excess
of his grief by calling it "burning." 'I am
on fire,' 'I am in a flame,' he says,
which is surely greater than any thing he has
said. For those other things, although
violent, yet both pass quickly by, and brought
with them that pleasure which is unfading; but
this was what afflicted and straightened him,
and pierced his mind through and through; the
suffering such things for each one of the weak,
whosoever he might be. For he did not feel
pained for the greater sort only and despise the
lesser, but counted even the abject amongst his
familiar friends. Wherefore also he said,
"who is weak?" whosoever he may be; and as
though he were himself the Church throughout the
world, so was he distressed for every member.
Ver. 30. "If I must needs glory, I will
glory of the things which concern my weakness."
Seest thou that he no where glorieth of
miracles, but of his persecutions and his
trials? For this is meant by "weaknesses."
And he shows that his warfare was of a
diversified character. For both the Jews
warred upon him, and the Gentiles stood against
him, and the false brethren fought with him,
and brethren caused him sorrow, through their
weakness and by taking offense:--on every side
he found trouble and disturbance, from friends
and from strangers. This is the especial mark
of an Apostle, by these things is the Gospel
woven.
Ver. 31, 32. "The God and Father of
the Lord Jesus knoweth that I lie not. The
Governor under Aretas the king guarded the city
of the Damascenes, desiring to apprehend me."
What can be the reason that he here strongly
confirms and gives assurance of [his truth],
seeing he did not so in respect to any of the
former things? Because, perhaps, this was of
older date and not so well known; whilst of
those other facts, his care for the churches,
and all the rest, they were themselves
cognisant. See then how great the war [against
him] was, since on his account the city was
"guarded." And when I say this of the war,
I say it of the zeal of Paul; for except this
had breathed intensely, it had not kindled the
governor to so great madness. These things are
the part of an apostolic soul, to suffer so
great things and yet in nothing to veer about,
but to bear nobly whatever befalls; yet not to
go out to meet dangers, nor to rush upon them.
See for instance here, how he was content to
evade the siege, by being "let down through a
window in a basket." For though he were even
desirous "to depart hence;" still nevertheless
he also passionately affected the salvation of
men. And therefore he ofttimes had recourse
even to such devices as these, preserving
himself for the Preaching; and he refused not
to use even human contrivances when the occasion
called for them; so sober and watchful was he.
For in cases where evils were inevitable, he
needed only grace; but where the trial was of a
measured character, he devises many things of
himself even, here again ascribing the whole to
God. And just as a spark of unquenchable
fire, if it fell into the sea, would be merged
as many waves swept over it, yet would again
rise shining to the surface; even so surely the
blessed Paul also would now be overwhelmed by
perils, and now again, having dived through
them, would come up more radiant, overcoming by
suffering evil.
For this is the brilliant victory, this is the
Church's trophy, thus is the Devil overthrown
when we suffer injury. For when we suffer, he
is taken captive; and himself suffers harm,
when he would fain inflict it on us. And this
happened in Paul's case also; and the more he
plied him with perils, the more was he
defeated. Nor did he raise up against him only
one kind of trials, but various and diverse.
For some involved labor, others sorrow, others
fear, others pain, others care, others shame,
others all these at once; but yet he was
victorious in all. And like as if a single
soldier, having the whole world fighting against
him, should move through the mid ranks of his
enemies, and suffer no harm: even so did
Paul, showing himself singly, among
barbarians, among Greeks, on every land, on
every sea, abide unconquered. And as a spark,
falling upon reeds and hay, changes into its own
nature the things so kindled; so also did this
man setting upon all make things change over unto
the truth; like a winter torrent, sweeping over
all things and overturning every obstacle. And
like some champion who wrestles, runs, and
boxes too; or soldier engaged by turns in
storming, fighting on foot, on shipboard; so
did he try by turns every form of fight, and
breathed out fire, and was unapproachable by
all; with his single body taking possession of
the world, with his single tongue putting all to
flight. Not with such force did those many
trumpets fall upon the stones of Jericho and
throw them down, as did the sound of this man's
voice both dash to the earth the devil's
strong-holds and bring over to himself those
that were against him. And when he had
collected a multitude of captives, having armed
the same, he made them again his own army, and
by their means conquered. Wonderful was David
who laid Goliah low with a single stone; but if
thou wilt examine Paul's achievements, that is
a child's exploit, and great as is the
difference between a shepherd and a general, so
great the difference thou shall see here. For
this man brought down no Goliath by the hurling
of a stone, but by speaking only he scattered
the whole array of the Devil; as a lion roaring
and darting out flame from his tongue, so was he
found by all irresistible; and bounded
everywhere by turns continually; he ran to
these, he came to those, he turned about to
these, he bounded away to others, swifter in
his attack than the wind; governing the whole
world, as though a single house or a single
ship; rescuing the sinking, steadying the
dizzied, cheering the sailors, sitting at the
tiller, keeping an eye to the prow, tightening
the yards, handling an oar, pulling at the
mast, watching the sky; being all things in
himself, both sailor, and pilot, and pilot's
mate, and sail, and ship; and suffering all
things in order to relieve the evils of others.
For consider. He endured shipwreck that he
might stay the shipwreck of the world; "a day
and a night he passed in the deep," that he
might draw it up from the deep of error; he was
"in weariness" that he might refresh the
weary; he endured smiting that he might heal
those that had been smitten of the devil; he
passed his time in prisons that he might lead
forth to the light those that were sitting in
prison and in darkness; he was "in deaths oft"
that he might deliver from grievous deaths;
"five times he received forty stripes save one"
that he might free those that inflicted them from
the scourge of the devil; he was "beaten with
rods" that he might bring them under "the rod
and the staff" of Christ; (Ps. xxiii.
4.) he "was stoned," that he might deliver
them from the senseless stones; he "was in the
wilderness, that he might take them out of the
wilderness; "in journeying," to stay their
wanderings and open the way that leadeth to
heaven; he "was in perils in the cities,"
that he might show the city which is above; "in
hunger and thirst," to deliver from a more
grievous hunger; "in nakedness," to clothe
their unseemliness with the robe of Christ; set
upon by the mob, to extricate them from the
besetment of fiends; he burned, that he might
quench the burning darts of the devil: "through
a window was let down from the wall," to send
up from below those that lay prostrate upon the
ground. Shall we then talk any more, seeing we
do not so much as know what Paul suffered?
shall we make mention an y more of goods, or
even of wife, or city, or freedom, when we
have seen him ten thousand times despising even
life itself? The martyr dies once for all: but
that blessed saint in his one body and one soul
endured so many perils as were enough to disturb
even a soul of adamant; and what things all the
saints together have suffered in so many bodies,
those all he himself endured in one: he entered
into the world as if a race-course, and
stripped himself of all, and so made a noble
stand. For he knew the fiends that were
wrestling with him. Wherefore also he shone
forth brightly at once from the beginning, from
the very starting-post, and even to the end he
continued the same; yea, rather he even
increased the intensity of his pursuit as he drew
nearer to the prize. And what surely is
wonderful is that though suffering and doing such
great things, he knew how to maintain an
exceeding modesty. For when he was driven upon
the necessity of relating his own good deeds, he
ran quickly over them all; although he might
have filled books without number, had he wished
to unfold in detail every thing he mentioned; if
he had specified the Churches he was in care
for, if his prisons and his achievments in
them, if of the other things one by one, the
besetments, the assaults. But he would not.
Knowing then these things, let us also learn to
be modest and not to glory at any time in wealth
or other worldly things, but in the reproaches
we suffer for Christ's sake, and in these,
only when need compels; for if there be nothing
urging it, let us not mention these even,
(lest we be puffed up,) but our sins only.
For so shall we both easily be released from
them and shall have God propitious to us, and
shall attain the life to come; whereunto may we
all attain through the grace and love towards men
of our Lord Jesus Christ, with Whom to the
Father, with the Holy Ghost, be glory,
might, honor, now and for ever, and world
without end. Amen.
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