{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/112/1120073.htm","path":"chr/ecf/112/1120073.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/112/1120073.htm","text":"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into Apostles of Christ.\nWhat sayest thou? they that preach Christ, they that take not money, they that bring not in a different gospel, \u201cfalse apostles?\u201d \u2018Yes,\u2019 he saith, and for this very reason most of all, because they make pretense of all these things for the purpose of deceiving. \u201cDeceitful workers,\u201d for they do work indeed, but pull up what has been planted. For being well aware that otherwise they would not be well received, they take the mask of truth and so enact the drama of error. \u2018And yet,\u2019 saith one, \u2018they take no money.\u2019 That they may take greater things; that they may destroy the soul. Yea rather, even that was a falsehood; and they took money but did it secretly: and he shows this in what follows. And indeed he already hinted this where he said, \u201cthat wherein they glory, they may be found even as we:\u201d (2 Cor. 11.12.) in what follows, however, he hinted it more plainly, saying, \u201cIf a man devour you, if a man take you captive, if a man exalt himself, ye bear with him.\u201d (2 Cor. 11.20.) But at present he accuses them on another account, saying, \u201cfashioning themselves.\u201d They had only a \u201cfashion;\u201d the skin of the sheep was but outside clothing 944 .\n2 Cor. 11:14, 15. \u201cAnd no marvel; for if even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light, is it a great thing if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness?\u201d\nSo that if one ought to marvel, this is what he ought to marvel at, and not at their transformation. For when their teacher dares do any thing, no marvel that the disciples also follow. But what is \u201can angel of light?\u201d That hath free liberty to speak, that standeth near to God. For there are also angels of darkness; those which be the devil\u2019s, those dark and cruel ones. And the devil hath deceived many so, fashioning himself \u201cinto,\u201d not becoming, \u201can angel of light.\u201d So do also do these bear about them the form of an Apostle, not the power itself, for this they cannot. But nothing is so like the devil 945 as to do things for display. But what is \u201ca ministry of righteousness?\u201d That which we are who preach to you a Gospel having righteousness. For he either means this, or else that they invest themselves with the character of righteous men. How then shall we know them? \u201cBy their works,\u201d as Christ said. Wherefore he is compelled to place his own good deeds and their wickedness side by side, that the spurious may become evident by the comparison. And when about again to enter upon his own praises, he first accuses them, in order to show that such an argument was forced upon him, lest any should accuse him for speaking about himself, and says,\n2 Cor. 11.16. \u201cAgain I say.\u201d For he had even p. 391 already used much preparatory corrective: \u2018But nevertheless I am not contented with what I have said, but I say yet again,\u2019\n\u201cLet no man think me foolish.\u201d For this was what they did\u2014boasted without a reason.\u2014But observe, I pray you, how often, when about to enter upon his own praises, he checks himself 946 . \u2018For indeed it is the act of folly,\u2019 he says, \u2018to boast: but I do it, not as playing the fool, but because compelled. But if ye do not believe me, but though ye see there is a necessity will condemn me; not even so will I decline the task 947 .\u2019 Seest thou how he showed that there was great necessity for his speaking. For he that shunned not even this suspicion, consider what violent impulsion to speak he must have undergone, how he travailed and was constrained to speak. But, nevertheless, even so he employs this thing with moderation. For he did not say, \u2018that I may glory.\u2019 And when about to do \u201ca little,\u201d again he uses yet another deprecatory expression 948 , saying,\n2 Cor. 11.17. \u201cThat which I speak, I speak not after the Lord, but as in foolishness, in this confidence of glorifying.\u201d\nSeest thou how glorying is not \u201cafter the Lord?\u201d For He saith, \u201cWhen ye shall have done all, say, We are unprofitable servants.\u201d (Luke xvii. 10.) Howbeit, by itself indeed it is not \u201cafter the Lord,\u201d but by the intention it becomes so. And therefore he said, \u201cThat which I speak,\u201d not accusing the motive, but the words. Since his aim is so admirable as to dignify the words also. For as a manslayer, though his action be of those most strictly forbidden, has often been approved from the intention; and as circumcision, although it is not \u2018after the Lord,\u2019 has become so from the intention, so also glorying. And wherefore then does he not use so great strictness of expression? Because he is hastening on to another point, and he freely gratifies even to superfluity those who are desirous to find a handle against him, so that he may say only the things that are profitable; for when said they were enough to extinguish all that suspicion. \u201cBut as in foolishness.\u201d Before he says, \u201cWould that ye could bear with me in a little foolishness,\u2019\u2019 (2 Cor. 11.4.) but now \u201cas in foolishness;\u201d for the farther he proceeds, the more he clears his language. Then that thou mayest not think that he plays the fool on all points, he added, \u201cin this confidence of glorying.\u201d In this particular he means: just as in another place he said, \u201cthat we be not put to shame,\u201d and added, \u201cin this confidence of glorying.\u201d (2 Cor. 9.4.) And again, in another place, having said, \u201cOr what I purpose do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be the yea yea, and the nay nay?\u201d (2 Cor. 1.17.) And having shown that he cannot in all cases even fulfil what he promises, because he does not purpose after the flesh, lest any should make this suspicion stretch to the doctrine also, he adds, \u201cBut as God is faithful our word towards you was not yea and nay.\u201d (2 Cor. 1.18.)\n[2.] And observe how after having said so many things before, he again sets down yet other grounds of excuse, saying further thus,\n2 Cor. 11.18. \u201cSeeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.\u201d\nWhat is, \u201cafter the flesh?\u201d Of things external, of high birth, of wealth, of wisdom, of being circumcised, of Hebrew ancestry, of popular renown. And behold wisdom. He sets down those things which he shows to be nothings 949 , and then, folly also. For if to glory in what are really good things be folly, much more is it so [to glory in] those that are nothing. And this is what he calls, \u201cnot after the Lord.\u201d For it is no advantage to be a Hebrew, or any such like things soever. \u2018Think not, therefore, that I set these down as a virtue; no; but because those men boast I also am compelled to institute my comparison on these points.\u2019 Which he does also in another place, saying, \u201cIf any man thinketh that he may trust in the flesh, I more:\u201d (Philip. iii. 4.) and there, it is on their account that trusted in this. Just as if one who was come of an illustrious race but had chosen a philosophic life, should see others priding themselves greatly on being well-born; and being desirious of taking down their vanity, should be compelled to speak of his own distinction; not to adorn himself, but to humble them; so, truly, does Paul also do. Then leaving those, he empties all his censure upon the Corinthians, saying,\n2 Cor. 11.19. \u201cFor ye bear with the foolish gladly.\u201d \u2018So that ye are to blame for this, and more than they. For if ye had not borne with them, and so far as it lay in them received damage, I would not have spoken a word; but I do it out of a tender care for your salvation, and in condescension. And behold, how he accompanies even his censure with praise. For having said, \u201cye bear with the foolish gladly;\u201d he added,\n\u201cBeing wise yourselves.\u201d For it was a sign of folly to glory, and on such matters. And yet it behoved to rebuke them, and say, \u2018Do not bear with the foolish;\u2019 he does this, however, at greater advantage. For in that case he would have seemed to rebuke them because he himself was destitute of these advantages; but now having showed himself to be their superior p. 392 even in these points, and to esteem them to be nothing, he corrects them with greater effect. At present, however, before entering upon his own praises and the comparison, he also reproaches the Corinthians with their great slavishness, because they were extravagantly submissive to them. And observe how he ridicules them.\n2 Cor. 11.20. \u201cFor ye bear with a man,\u201d he says, \u201cif he devour you.\u201d\nHow then saidst thou, \u201cthat wherein they glory, they may be found even as we?\u201d (2 Cor. 11.12.) Seest thou that he shows that they did take of them, and not simply take, but even in excess: for the term \u201cdevour\u201d plainly shows this,\n\u201cIf a man bring you into bondage.\u201d \u2018Ye have given away both your money,\u2019 he says, \u2018and your persons, and your freedom. For this is more than taking of you; to be masters not only of your money, but of yourselves also.\u2019 And he makes this plain even before, where he says, \u201cIf others partake of this right over you, do not we much more?\u201d (1 Cor. ix. 12.) Then he addeth what is more severe, saying,\n\u201cIf a man exalt himself.\u201d \u2018For neither is your slavery of a moderate sort, nor are your masters gentle, but burdensome and odious.\u2019\n\u201cIf a man smite you on the face.\u201d Seest thou again a further stretch of tyranny? He said this, not meaning that they were stricken on the face, but that they spat upon and dishonored them; wherefore he added,\n2 Cor. 11.21. \u201cI speak by way of disparagement,\u201d for ye suffer no whit less than men smitten on the face. What now can be stronger than this? What oppression more bitter than this? when having taken from you both your money and your freedom and your honor, they even so are not gentle towards you nor suffer you to abide in the rank of servants, but have used you more insultingly than any bought slave. 950\n\u201cAs though we had been weak.\u201d The expression is obscure. For since it was a disagreeable subject he therefore so expressed it as to steal away the offensiveness by the obscurity. For what he wishes to say is this. \u2018For cannot we also do these things? Yes, but we do them not. Wherefore then do ye bear with these men, as though we could not do these things? Surely it were something to impute to you that ye even bear with men who play the fool; but that ye do this, even when they so despise you, plunder you, exalt themselves, smite you, can admit neither of excuse nor any reason at all. For this is a new fashion of deceiving. For men that deceive both give and flatter; but these both deceive, and take and insult you. Whence ye cannot have a shadow of allowance, seeing that ye spit on those that humble themselves for your sakes that ye may be exalted, but admire those who exalt themselves that ye may be humbled. For could not we too do these things? Yes, but we do not wish it, looking to your advantage. For they indeed sacrificing your interests seek their own, but we sacrificing our own interests seek for yours.\u2019 Seest thou how in every instance, whilst speaking plainly to them, he also alarms them by what he says. \u2018For,\u2019 he says, \u2018if it be on this account that ye honor them, because they smite and insult you, we also can do this, enslave, smite, exalt ourselves against you.\u2019\n[3.] Seest thou how he lays upon them the whole blame, both of their senseless pride and of what seems to be folly in himself. \u2018For not that I may show myself more conspicuous, but that I may set you free from this bitter slavery, am I compelled to glory some little. But it is meet to examine not simply things that are said, but, in addition, the reason also. For Samuel also put together a high panegyric upon himself, when he anointed Saul, saying, \u201cWhose ass have I taken, or calf, or shoes? or have I oppressed any of you?\u201d (1 Sam. xii. 3, LXX.) And yet no one finds fault with him. And the reason is because he did not say it by way of setting off himself; but because he was going to appoint a king, he wishes under the form of a defence [of himself] to instruct him to be meek and gentle. And observe the wisdom of the prophet, or rather the loving kindness of God. For because he wished to turn them from [their design,] bringing together a number of grievous things he asserted them of their future king, as, for instance, that he would make their wives grind at the mill, (1 Sam. viii. 11-18.) the men shepherds and muleteers; for he went through all the service appertaining to the kingdom with minuteness. But when he saw that they would not be hindered by any of these things, but were incurably distempered; he thus both spareth them and composeth their king to gentleness. (1 Sam. xii. 5.) Therefore he also takes him to witness. For indeed no one was then bringing suit or charge against him that he needed to defend himself, but he said those things in order to make him better. And therefore also he added, to take down his pride, \u201cIf ye will hearken, ye and your king,\u201d (1 Sam. 12.14.) such and such good things shall be yours; \u201cbut if ye will not hearken, then the reverse of all.\u201d Amos also said, \u201cI was no prophet, nor the son of a prophet, but only a herdsman, a gatherer of sycamore fruit. And God took me.\u201d (Amos 7:14, 15.) But he did not say this to exalt himself, but to stop their mouths that suspected him as no prophet, and to show that he is no deceiver, nor says of p. 393 his own mind the things which he says. Again, another also, to show the very same thing, said, \u201cBut truly I am full of power by the spirit and might of the Lord.\u201d (Micah iii. 8.) And David also when he related the matter of the lion and of the bear, (1 Sam. xvii. 34, &c.) spake not to glorify himself, but to bring about a great and admirable end. For since it was not believed possible he could conquer the barbarian unarmed, he that was not able even to bear arms; he was compelled to give proofs of his own valor. And when he cut off Saul\u2019s skirt, he said not what he said out of display, but to repel an ill suspicion which they had scattered abroad against him, saying, that he wished to kill him. (1 Sam. xxiv. 4, &c.) It is meet therefore every where to seek for the reason. For he that looks to the advantage of his hearers even though he should praise himself, not only deserves not to be found fault with, but even to be crowned; and if he is silent, then to be found fault with. For if David had then been silent in the matter of Goliath, they would not have allowed him to go out to the battle, nor to have raised that illustrious trophy. On this account then he speaks being compelled; and that not to his brethren, although he was distrusted by them too as well as by the king; but envy stopped their ears. Therefore leaving them alone, he tells his tale to him who was not as yet envious of him.\n[4.] For envy is a fearful, a fearful thing, and persuades men to despise their own salvation. In this way did both Cain destroy himself, and again, before his time, the devil who was the destroyer of his father. So did Saul invite an evil demon against his own soul; and when he had invited, he again envied his physician. For such is the nature of envy; he knew that he was saved, yet he would rather have perished than see him that saved him had in honor. What can be more grievous than this passion? One cannot err in calling it the devil\u2019s offspring. And in it is contained the fruit of vainglory, or rather its root also; for both these evils are wont mutually to produce each other. And thus in truth it was that Saul even thus envied, when they said, \u201cDavid smote by ten thousands,\u201d (1 Sam. xviii. 7.) than which what can be more senseless? For why dost thou envy? tell me! \u2018Because such an one praised him?\u2019 Yet surely thou oughtest to rejoice; besides, thou dost not know even whether the praise be true. And dost thou therefore grieve because without being admirable he hath been praised as such? And yet thou oughtest to feel pity. For if he be good, thou oughtest not to envy him when praised, but thyself to praise along with those that speak well of him; but if not such, why art thou galled? why thrust the sword against thyself? \u2018Because admired by men?\u2019 But men to-day are and to-morrow are not. \u2018But because he enjoys glory?\u2019 Of what sort, tell me? That of which the prophet says that it is \u201cthe flower of grass.\u201d (Is. xl. 6. LXX.) Art thou then therefore envious because thou bearest no burden, nor carriest about with thee such loads of grass? But if he seems to thee to be enviable on this account, then why not also woodcutters who carry burdens every day and come to the city [with them]? For that burden is nothing better than this, but even worse. For theirs indeed galls the body only, but this hath oftentimes harmed the soul even and occasioned greater solicitude than pleasure. And should one have gained renown through eloquence, the fear he endures is greater than the good report he bears; yea, what is more, the one is short, the other perpetual. \u2018But he is in favor with those in authority?\u2019 In that too again is danger and envy. For as thou feelest towards him, so do many others feel. \u2018But he is praised continually?\u2019 This produces bitter slavery. For he will not dare to do fearlessly aught of what according to his judgment he should, lest he should offend those that extol him, for that distinction is a hard bondage to him. So that the more he is known to, so many the more masters he has, and his slavery becomes the greater, as masters of his are found in every quarter. A servant indeed, when he is released from the eye of his master, both takes breath and lives in all freedom; but this man meets with masters at every turn, for he is the slave of all that appear in the forum. And even should some necessary object press, he dares not set foot in the forum, except it be with his servants following, and his horse, and all his other show set in array, lest his masters condemn him. And if he sees some friend of those who are truly so 951 , he has not the boldness to talk with him on an equal footing: for he is afraid of his masters, lest they depose him from his glory. So that the more distinguished he is, so much the more he is enslaved. And if he suffer aught that is disagreeable, the insult is the more annoying, both in that he has more to witness it and it seems to infringe his dignity. It is not only an insult, but a calamity also, for he has also many who exult at it; and in like way if he come to the enjoyment of any good thing, he has more who envy and detract and do their vigilance to destroy him. Is this then a good? tell me. Is this glory? By no means; but ingloriousness, and slavery, and bonds, and every burdensome thing one can say. But if the glory that cometh of men be so greatly to be coveted in thy account, and if p. 394 it quite disquiets thee that such and such an one is applauded of the many; when thou beholdest him in the enjoyment of that applause, pass over in thy thought to the world to come and the glory which is there. And just as when hurrying to escape the onset of a wild beast, thou enterest into a cabin and shuttest to the doors; so now also flee unto the life to come, and that unspeakable glory. For so shalt thou both tread this under thy feet, and wilt easily lay hold upon that, and wilt enjoy the true liberty, and the eternal good things; 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 Spirit, be glory, might, honor, now and ever, and world without end. Amen.\nChrysostom takes the clause to refer to the preceding, but most consider it the apostle\u2019s transition to his own glorying, 2 Cor. 11.22-28. C.]\n393:951","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. XII: Homilies on Second Corinthians.: Homily XXIV","type":"page"}