{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/112/1120065.htm","path":"chr/ecf/112/1120065.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/112/1120065.htm","text":"And in your comfort, we joyed the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus, because his spirit hath been refreshed by you all.\nSee again how he exalts their praises, and showeth their love. For having said, \u2018I was pleased that my Epistle wrought so much and that ye gained so much,\u2019 for \u201cI rejoice,\u201d he saith, \u201cnot that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto repentance;\u201d and having shown his own love, for he saith, \u201cThough I wrote unto you, I wrote not for his cause that did the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered the wrong, but that our care for you might be made manifest to you:\u201d again he mentioneth another sign of their good will, which bringeth them great praise and showeth the genuineness of their affection. For, \u201cin your comfort 801 ,\u201d he saith, \u201cwe joyed the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus.\u201d And yet this is no sign of one that loveth them exceedingly; rejoicing rather for Titus than for them. \u2018Yes,\u2019 he replies, \u2018it is, for I joyed not so much for his cause as for yours.\u2019 Therefore also he subjoins the reason, saying, \u201cbecause his bowels were refreshed by you all.\u201d He said not, \u2018he,\u2019 but \u201chis bowels;\u201d that is, \u2018his love for you.\u2019 And how were they refreshed? \u201cBy all.\u201d For this too is a very great praise.\n2 Cor. 7.14. \u201cFor if in anything I have gloried to him on your behalf.\u201d\nIt is high praise when the teacher boasted, for he saith, \u201cI was not put to shame.\u201d I therefore rejoiced, because ye showed yourselves to be amended and proved my words by your deeds. So that the honor accruing to me was twofold; first, in that ye had made progress; next, in that I was not found to fall short of the truth.\n2 Cor. 7.14. \u201cBut as we spake always to you in p. 356 truth, so our glorying also which I made before Titus was found to be truth.\u201d\nHere he alludes to something further. As we spake all things among you in truth, (for it is probable that he had also spoken to them much in praise of this man 802 ,) so also, what we said of you to Titus has been proved true.\n2 Cor. 7.15. \u201cAnd his inward affection 803 is more abundant toward you.\u201d\nWhat follows is in commendation of him, as exceedingly consumed with love and attached to them. And he said not \u2018his love.\u2019 Then that he may not appear to be flattering, he everywhere mentions the causes of his affection; in order that he may, as I said, both escape the imputation of flattery and the more encourage them by making the praise redound unto them, and by showing that it was they who had infused into him the beginning and ground of this so great love. For having said, \u201chis inward affection is more abundant toward you;\u201d he added,\n\u201cWhilst he remembereth the obedience of you all.\u201d Now this both shows that Titus was grateful to his benefactors, seeing he had returned, having them all in his heart, and continually remembereth them, and beareth them on his lips and in his mind; and also is a greater distinction to the Corinthians, seeing that so vanquished they sent him away. Then he mentions their obedience also, magnifying their zeal: wherefore also he addeth these words,\n\u201cHow with fear and trembling ye received him.\u201d Not with love only, but also with excessive honor. Seest thou how he bears witness to a twofold virtue in them, both that they loved him as a father and had feared him as a ruler, neither for fear dimming love, nor for love relaxing fear. He expressed this also above, \u201cThat ye sorrow after a godly sort, what earnest care it wrought in you; yea what fear, yea what longing.\u201d\n2 Cor. 7.16. \u201cI rejoice therefore, that in every thing I am of good courage concerning you.\u201d Seest thou that he rejoiceth more on their account; \u2018because,\u2019 he saith, \u2018ye have in no particular shamed your teacher, nor show yourselves unworthy of my testimony.\u2019 So that he joyed not so much for Titus\u2019 sake, that he enjoyed so great honor; as for their own, that they had displayed so much good feeling. For that he may not be imagined to joy rather on Titus\u2019 account, observe how in this place also he states the reason. As then he said above, \u201cIf in anything I have gloried to him on your behalf I was not put to shame;\u201d so here also, \u201cIn everything I am of good courage concerning you.\u201d \u2018Should need require me to rebuke, I have no apprehension of your being alienated; or again to boast, I fear not to be convicted of falsehood; or to praise you as obeying the rein, or as loving, or as full of zeal, I have confidence in you. I bade you cut off, and ye did cut off; I bade you receive, and ye did receive; I said before Titus that ye were great and admirable kind of people and knew to reverence teachers: ye proved these things true by your conduct. And he learnt these things not so much from me as from you. At any rate when he returned, he had become a passionate lover of you: your behavior having surpassed what he had been told.\u2019\n[2.] 2 Cor. 8.1. \u201cMoreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the Churches of Macedonia.\u201d\nHaving encouraged them with these encomiums, he again tries exhortation. For on this account he mingled these praises with his rebuke, that he might not by proceeding from rebuke to exhortation make what he had to say ill received; but having soothed their ears, might by this means pave the way for his exhortation. For he purposeth to discourse of alms-giving; wherefore also he saith beforehand, \u201cI rejoice that in everything I am of good courage concerning you;\u201d by their past good works, making them the more ready to this duty also. And he said not at once, \u2018Therefore give alms,\u2019 but observe his wisdom, how he draws from a distance and from on high the preparation for his discourse. For he says, \u201cI make known to you the grace of God which hath been given in the Churches of Macedonia.\u201d For that they might not be uplifted he calleth what they did \u201cgrace;\u201d and whilst relating what others did he worketh greater zeal in them by his encomiums on others. And he mentions together two praises of the Macedonians, or rather three; namely, that they bear trials nobly; and that they know how to pity; and that, though poor, they had displayed profuseness in almsgiving, for their property had been also plundered. And when he wrote his Epistle to them, it was as signifying this that he said, \u201cFor ye became imitators of the Churches of God which are in Jud\u00e6a, for ye also suffered the same things of your own countrymen, even as they did of the Jews.\u201d (1 Thess. ii. 14.) Hear what he said afterwards in writing to the Hebrews, \u201cFor ye took joyfully the spoiling of your possessions.\u201d (Heb. x. 34.) But He calls what they did \u201cgrace,\u201d not in order to keep them humble merely; but both to provoke them to emulation and to prevent what he said from proving invidious. Wherefore he also added the name of \u201cbrethren\u201d so as to undermine all envious feeling; for he is about to praise them in high-flown p. 357 terms. Listen, at least, to his praises. For having said, \u201cI make known to you the grace of God,\u201d he said not \u2018which hath been given in this or that city,\u2019 but praiseth the entire nation, saying, \u201cin the Churches of Macedonia.\u201d Then he details also this same grace.\n2 Cor. 8.2. \u201cHow that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy.\u201d\nSeest thou his wisdom? For he says not first, that which he wishes; but another thing before it, that he may not seem to do this of set purpose 804 , but to arrive at it by a different connection. \u201cIn much proof of affliction.\u201d This was what he said in his Epistle to the Macedonians themselves, \u201cYe became imitators of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost;\u201d and again, \u201cFrom you sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place, your faith to God-ward is gone forth.\u201d (1 Thess. 1:6, 8.) But what is, \u201cin much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy?\u201d Both, he says, happened to them in excess; both the affliction and the joy. Wherefore also the strangeness was great that so great an excess of pleasure sprang up to them out of affliction. For in truth the affliction not only was not the parent of grief, but it even became unto them an occasion of gladness; and this too, though it was \u201cgreat.\u201d Now this he said, to prepare them to be noble and firm in their trials. For they were not merely afflicted, but so as also to have become approved by their patience: yea rather, he says not by their patience, but what was more than patience, \u201cjoy.\u201d And neither said he \u201cjoy\u201d simply, but \u201cabundance of joy,\u201d for it sprang up in them, great and unspeakable.\n[3.] \u201cAnd their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.\u201d\nAgain, both these with excessiveness. For as their great affliction gave birth to great joy, yea, \u201cabundance of joy,\u201d so their great poverty gave birth to great riches of alms. For this he showed, saying, \u201cabounded unto the riches of their liberality.\u201d For munificence is determined not by the measure of what is given, but by the mind of those that bestow it.\nWherefore he nowhere says, \u2018the richness of the gifts,\u2019 but \u201cthe riches of their liberality.\u201d Now what he says is to this effect; \u2018their poverty not only was no impediment to their being bountiful, but was even an occasion to them of abounding, just as affliction was of feeling joy. For the poorer they were, the more munificent they were and contributed the more readily.\u2019 Wherefore also he admires them exceedingly, for that in the midst of so great poverty they had displayed so great munificence. For \u201ctheir deep,\u201d that is, \u2018their great and unspeakable,\u2019 \u201cpoverty,\u201d showed their \u201cliberality.\u201d But he said not \u2018showed,\u2019 but \u201cabounded;\u201d and he said not \u201cliberality,\u201d but \u201criches of liberality;\u201d that is, an equipoise to the greatness of their poverty, or rather much outweighing it, was the bountifulness they displayed. Then he even explains this more clearly, saying,\n2 Cor. 8.3. \u201cFor according to their power, I bear witness.\u201d Trustworthy is the witness. \u201cAnd beyond their power.\u201d That is, it \u201cabounded unto the riches of their liberality.\u201d Or rather, he makes this plain, not by this expression alone, but also by all that follows; for he says, \u201cof their own accord.\u201d Lo! yet another excessiveness.\n2 Cor. 8.4. \u201cWith much intreaty.\u201d Lo! yet a third and a fourth. \u201cPraying us.\u201d Lo! even a fifth. And when they were in affliction and in poverty. Here are a sixth and seventh. And they gave with excessiveness. Then since this is what he most of all wishes to provide for in the Corinthians\u2019 case, namely, the giving deliberately, he dwells especially upon it, saying, \u201cwith much intreaty,\u201d and \u201cpraying us.\u201d \u2018We prayed not them, but they us.\u2019 Pray us what? \u201cThat the grace 805 and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints.\u201d Seest thou how he again exalts the deed, calling it by venerable names. For since they were ambitious 806 of spiritual gifts 807 , he calls it by the name grace that they might eagerly pursue it; and again by that of \u201cfellowship,\u201d that they might learn that they receive, not give only. \u2018This therefore they intreated us,\u2019 he says, \u2018that we would take upon us such a ministry 808 .\u2019\n2 Cor. 8.5. \u201cAnd\u201d this, \u201cnot as we hoped.\u201d This he says with reference both to the amount and to their afflictions. \u2018For we could never have hoped,\u2019 he says, \u2018that whilst in so great affliction and poverty, they would even have urged us and so greatly intreated us.\u2019 He showed also their carefulness of life in other respects, by saying,\n\u201cBut first they gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God.\u201d\n\u2018For in everything their obedience was beyond our expectations; nor because they showed mercy did they neglect the other virtues,\u2019 \u201cbut first gave themselves to the Lord.\u201d What is, \u201cgave themselves to the Lord?\u201d \u2018They offered up [themselves]; they showed themselves approved in faith; they displayed much fortitude in their trials, order, goodness, love, in all things both readiness and zeal.\u2019 What means, \u201cand to us?\u201d \u2018They were tractable to the rein, loved, obeyed us; both p. 358 fulfilling the laws of God and bound unto us by love.\u2019 And observe how here also he again shows their earnestness 809 , saying, \u201cgave themselves to the Lord.\u201d They did not in some things obey God, and in some the world; but in all things Him; and gave themselves wholly unto God. For neither because they showed mercy were they filled up with senseless pride, but displaying much lowlymindedness, much obedience, much reverence, much heavenly wisdom, they so wrought their almsdeeds also. But what is, \u201cby the will of God?\u201d Since he had said, they \u201cgave themselves to us,\u201d yet was it not \u201cto us,\u201d after the manner of men, but they did this also according to the mind of God.\n[4.] 2 Cor. 8.6. \u201cInsomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace also 810 .\u201d\nAnd what connexion is there here? Much; and closely bearing on what went before. \u2018For because we saw them vehement,\u2019 he says, \u2018and fervent in all things, in temptations, in almsgiving, in their love toward us, in the purity otherwise of their life: in order that ye too might be made their equals, we sent Titus.\u2019 Howbeit he did not say this, though he implied it. Behold excessiveness of love. \u2018For though intreated and desired by them,\u2019 he says, \u2018we were anxious about your state, lest by any means ye should come short of them. Wherefore also we sent Titus, that by this also being stirred up and put in mind, ye might emulate the Macedonians.\u2019 For Titus happened to be there when this Epistle was writing. Yet he shows that he had made a beginning in this matter before Paul\u2019s exhortation; \u201cthat as he had made a beginning before,\u201d he says. Wherefore also he bestows great praise on him; for instance, in the beginning [of the Epistle]; \u201cBecause I found not Titus my brother, I had no relief for my spirit:\u201d (2 Cor. 2.13.) and here all those things which he has said, and this too itself. For this also is no light praise, the having begun before even: for this evinces a warm and fervent spirit. Wherefore also he sent him, infusing 811 amongst them in this also a very great incentive unto giving, the presence of Titus. On this account also he extols him with praises, wishing to endear him more exceedingly to the Corinthians. For this too hath a great weight unto persuading, when he who counsels is upon intimate terms. And well does he both once and twice and thrice, having made mention of almsgiving, call \u2018it grace,\u2019 now indeed saying, \u201cMoreover, brethren, I make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the Churches of Macedonia;\u201d and now, \u201cthey of their own accord, praying us with much intreaty in regard of this grace and fellowship:\u201d and again, \u201cthat as he had begun, so he would also finish in you this grace also.\u201d\n[5.] For this is a great good and a gift of God; and rightly done assimilates us, so far as may be, unto God; for such an one 812 is in the highest sense a man. A certain one, at least, giving a model of a man has mentioned this, for \u201cMan,\u201d saith he, \u201cis a great thing; and a merciful man is an honorable thing.\u201d (Prov. xx. 6. LXX.) Greater is this gift than to raise the dead. For far greater is it to feed Christ when an hungered than to raise the dead by the name of Jesus: for in the former case thou doest good to Christ, in the latter He to thee. And the reward surely comes by doing good, not by receiving good. For here indeed, in the case of miracles I mean, thou art God\u2019s debtor; in that of almsgiving, thou hast God for a debtor. Now it is almsgiving, when it is done with willingness, when with bountifulness, when thou deemest thyself not to give but to receive, when done as if thou wert benefitted, as if gaining and not losing; for so this were not a grace. For he that showeth mercy on another ought to feel joyful, not peevish. For how is it not absurd, if whilst removing another\u2019s downheartedness, thou art thyself downhearted? for so thou no longer sufferest it to be alms. For if thou art downhearted because thou hast delivered another from downheartedness, thou furnishest an example of extreme cruelty and inhumanity; for it were better not to deliver him, than so to deliver him. And why art thou also downhearted at all, O man? for fear thy gold should diminish? If such are thy thoughts, do not give at all: if thou art not quite sure that it is multiplied for thee in heaven, do not bestow. But thou seekest the recompense here. Wherefore? Let thine alms be alms, and not traffic. Now many have indeed received a recompense even here; but have not so received it, as if they should have an advantage over those who received it not here; but some of them as being weaker than they ought, because they were not so strongly attracted by the things which are there. And as those who are greedy, and ill-mannered 813 , and slaves of their bellies, being invited to a royal banquet, and unable to wait till the proper time, just like little children mar their own enjoyment, by taking food beforehand and stuffing themselves with inferior dishes: even so in truth do these who seek for and receive [recompense] p. 359 here, diminish their reward there. Further, when thou lendest, thou wishest to receive thy principal after a longer interval, and perhaps even not to receive it at all, in order that by the delay thou mayest make the interest greater; but, in this case, dost thou ask back immediately; and that too when thou art about to be not here, but there forever; when thou art about not to be here to be judged, but to render thine account? And if indeed one were building thee mansions where thou wert not going to remain, thou wouldest deem it to be a loss; but now, desirest thou here to be rich, whence possibly thou art to depart even before the evening? Knowest thou not that we live in a foreign land, as though strangers and sojourners? Knowest thou not that it is the lot of sojourners to be ejected when they think not, expect not? which is also our lot. For this reason then, whatsoever things we have prepared, we leave here. For the Lord does not allow us to receive them and depart, if we have built houses, if we have bought fields, if slaves, if gear, if any other such thing. But not only does He not allow us to take them and depart hence, but doth not even account to thee the price of them. For He forwarned thee that thou shouldest not build, nor spend what is other men\u2019s but thine own. Why therefore, leaving what is thine own, dost thou work and be at cost in what is another\u2019s, so as to lose both thy toil and thy wages and to suffer the extremest punishment? Do not so, I beseech thee; but seeing we are by nature sojourners, let us also be so by choice; that we be not there sojourners and dishonored and cast out. For if we are set upon being citizens here, we shall be so neither here nor there; but if we continue to be sojourners, and live in such wise as sojourners ought to live in, we shall enjoy the freedom of citizens both here and there. For the just, although having nothing, will both dwell here amidst all men\u2019s possessions as though they were his own; and also, when he hath departed to heaven, shall see those his eternal habitations. And he shall both here suffer no discomfort, (for none will ever be able to make him a stranger that hath every land for his city;) and when he hath been restored to his own country, shall receive the true riches. In order that we may gain both the things of this life and of that, let us use aright the things we have. For so shall we be citizens of the heavens, and shall enjoy much boldness; 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 and power for ever. Amen.\nIn the R.T. the words \u201cin your comfort\u201d are connected with what precedes, not what follows them. [The Rev. Vers. adopts Chrysostom\u2019s connection but changes the pronoun from the second person to the first, reading \u201cin our comfort.\u201d C.]\n356:802 356:803 357:804 357:805 357:806 357:807 357:808\n[Critical authority is altogether in favor of the text of this clause which is adopted in the Rev. Vers. C.]\n358:809 358:810\n\u1f10\u03bd \u1f50\u03bc\u1fd6\u03bd St. C. \u03b5\u1f30\u03c2 \u1f51\u03bc\u1fb6\u03c2, R.T., [which is the true text. C.]\n358:811 358:812\n\u03c4\u03bf\u1fe6\u03c4\u03bf, in sense equivalent to \u1f41 \u03c4\u03bf\u03b9\u03bf\u1fe6\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2. See Dr. Field\u2019s Index to Hom. on St. Matt. on the word \u03bf\u1f57\u03c4\u03bf\u03c2.\n358:813","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. XII: Homilies on Second Corinthians.: Homily XVI","type":"page"}