{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/103/1030737.htm","path":"chr/ecf/103/1030737.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/103/1030737.htm","text":"5. I would, however, proceed to a more searching 2486 and diligent consideration and handling of these words, had I not other places of his Epistles much more manifest, by comparing which, both these are made more clearly manifest, and if these were not in existence, those others would suffice. To the Corinthians, namely, writing of this same thing, he saith thus, \u201cAm I not free? am I not an Apostle? 2487 Have I not seen Christ Jesus our Lord? Are not ye my work in the Lord? If to others I am not an Apostle, to you assuredly I am. For the seal of mine Apostleship are ye in the Lord. My defense to them which interrogate me is this. Have we not power to eat and to drink? Have we not power to lead about a woman who is a sister, 2488 as also the other Apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?\u201d See how first he shows what is lawful to him, and therefore lawful for that he is an Apostle. For with that he began, \u201cAm I not free? am I not an Apostle?\u201d and proves himself to be an Apostle, saying, \u201cHave I not seen Christ Jesus our Lord? Are not ye my work in the Lord?\u201d Which being proved, he shows that to be lawful to him which was so to the other Apostles; that is, that he should not work with his hands, but live by the Gospel, as the Lord appointed, which in what follows he has most p. 506 openly demonstrated; for to this end did also faithful women which had earthly substance go with them, and minister unto them of their substance, that they might lack none of those things which pertain to the necessities of this life. Which thing blessed Paul demonstrates to be lawful indeed unto himself, as also the other Apostles did it, but that he had not chosen to use this power he afterwards mentions. This thing some not understanding, have interpreted not \u201ca woman which is a sister,\u201d when he said, \u201cHave we not power to lead about a sister a woman;\u201d but, \u201ca sister a wife.\u201d They were misled by the ambiguity of the Greek word, because both \u201cwife\u201d and \u201cwoman\u201d is expressed in Greek by the same word. Though indeed the Apostle has so put this that they ought not to have made this mistake; for that he neither says \u201ca woman\u201d merely, but \u201ca sister woman;\u201d nor \u201cto take\u201d (as in marriage), but \u201cto take about\u201d (as on a journey). Howbeit other interpreters have not been misled by this ambiguity, and they have interpreted \u201cwoman\u201d not \u201cwife.\u201d\nSo Griesbach amd Lachmann. But text recept. \u201cAm I not an Apostle? am I not free?\u201d\n505:2488","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. III: Moral Treatises...","type":"page"}