{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/103/1030745.htm","path":"chr/ecf/103/1030745.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/103/1030745.htm","text":"13. Of this weakness of his, he saith in another place, \u201cWe made ourselves small among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.\u201d 2510 For in that passage the context indicates this: \u201cFor neither at any time,\u201d saith he, \u201cused we flattering words, as ye know, nor an occasion of covetousness; God is witness: nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others when we might have been burdensome to you as the Apostles of Christ: but we made ourselves small among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.\u201d What therefore he saith to the Corinthians, that he had power of his apostleship, as also the other Apostles, which power he testifieth that he had not used; this also he saith in that place to the Thessalonians, \u201cWhen we might have been burdensome to you as Christ\u2019s Apostles:\u201d according to that the Lord saith, \u201cThe workman is worthy of his hire.\u201d For that of this he speaks, is indicated by that which he above set down, \u201cNeither for occasion of coveteousness, God is witness.\u201d By reason, namely, of this which by right of the Lord\u2019s appointment was due to good evangelists, who not for its sake do evangelize but seek the kingdom of God, so that all these things should be added unto them, others were taking advantage thereof, of whom he also saith, \u201cFor they that are such serve not God, but their own belly.\u201d 2511 From whom the Apostle wished so to cut off this occasion, that even what was justly due to him, he would forego. For this himself doth openly show in the second to the Corinthians, speaking of other Churches supplying his necessities. For he had come, as it appears, to so great indigence, that from distant Churches were sent supplies for his necessities, while yet from them among whom he was, he accepted nothing of that kind. \u201cHave I committed a sin, \u201csaith he, \u201cin humbling myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the Gospel of God freely? Other Churches I despoiled, taking wages of them to minister unto you: and when I was present with you and wanted, to no man was I burdensome. For that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied, and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome to you, and will keep myself. It is the truth of Christ in me, that this glory shall not be infringed in me in the regions of Achaia. Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. But what I do, I also mean to do, that I may cut off occasion from them which seek occasion, that wherein they glory they may be found as also we.\u201d 2512 Of this occasion, therefore, which he here saith that he cuts off, he would have that understood which he saith in the former place, \u201cNeither for occasion of covetousness, God is witness.\u201d And what he here saith, \u201cIn humbling myself that ye might be exalted:\u201d this in the first to the same Corinthians, \u201cI became to the weak as weak;\u201d this to the Thessalonians, \u201cI became small among you, as a nurse cherisheth her children.\u201d 2513 Now then observe what follows: \u201cSo,\u201d saith he, \u201cbeing affectionately desirous of you, we are minded to impart unto you not alone the Gospel of God, but our own souls also; because ye are become most dear to us. For ye remember, brethren, our labor and toil, night and day working, that we might not burden any of you.\u201d For this he said above, \u201cWhen we might be burdensome to you, as Christ\u2019s Apostles.\u201d Because, then, the weak were in peril, lest, agitated by false suspicions, they should hate an, as it were, venal Gospel, for this cause, trembling for them as with a father\u2019s and a mother\u2019s bowels of compassion, did he this thing. So too in the Acts of the Apostles he speaks the same thing, when, sending from Miletus to Ephesus, he had called thence the presbyters of the Church, to whom, among much else, \u201cSilver,\u201d saith he, \u201cand gold, or apparel of no man have I coveted; yourselves know, that to my necessities and theirs who were with me these hands have ministered. In all things have I shown you that so laboring it behoveth to help the weak, mindful also of the words of the Lord Jesus, for that He said, More blessed is it rather to give than to receive.\u201d 2514\n\u201cParvuli.\u201d 1 Thess. 2.5-71 Thess. ii. 5-7. [See R.V.]\n510:2511 510:2512\n2 Cor. 11.7-122 Cor. xi. 7-12. [See R.V.]\n510:2513 510:2514","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. III: Moral Treatises...","type":"page"}