THE APOSTLE PAUL CHERISHES HIS STRIFE In the previous chapter, the apostle Paul refused to compare Himself with others, especially with the false apostles; counting his call as divine, and his measures as not according to human mind. Now, however, he counts himself as a fool; having been committed to reveal his strife, and to compare himself, not only with the false apostles, but even with the apostles and disciples of Christ. All that was not for the sake of boasting -- as he has previously confirmed that he who boasts should only boast in the Lord – But to confirm the authenticity of his apostleship, to work in the vineyard that extends among many nations. 1- An enflamed godly jealousy 1 - 4 2- His exalted knowledge 5 - 6 3- Refusing to use his right to get help from them 7 - 12 4- The deception of the false apostles 13 - 15 5- Putting up with the foolishness of his boasting 16 - 20 6- His boasting according to the flesh 21 - 22 7- The apostle’s outer labors 23 - 26 8- His labors by his own choice 27 9- His concern for the churches 28 10- His fellowship with those who suffer 29 - 30 11- His escape from Damascus 31 – 33 1- AN ENFLAMED GODLY JEALOUSY: “Oh, that you would bear with me a little folly – and indeed you do bear with me” (1) There is nothing more difficult upon the soul of a humble man, especially someone like the apostle Paul, to be committed to defend himself, to reveal his strife, labor, and success; and to compare himself with his brethren the apostles of Jesus Christ. HBy so doing, he counted himself speaking as a fool. 284 He asked them to bear with his talk to follow for the sake of the edification of the church; although he knows that they will do bear with it. Starting to talk about himself, he called himself a fool; yet he is committed to do that for the sake of those who resorted to unbefitting thoughts; and should have thought better of him1. (Ambrosiaster) The apostle Paul probably called himself as a fool, to defend himself, and to demonstrate that the false apostles, puffedup, are the real fools. “For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ” (2). Before having to enter into the subject of his boasting in the flesh as a Hebrew, Israelite, and a son of Abraham; and before enumerating the troubles he gets from outside, or by his own free choice, or from within the church; he intends to confirm the clarity of the goal before him. He is preoccupied, not with the multitude of troubles, but with walking along the true way, namely, to bear godly jealousy toward the church, to present it a bride to Christ the heavenly Groom. He is only preoccupied with presenting the church everywhere, as a chaste virgin, blameless, and without wrinkles, caused by the vain thoughts and teachings of the false apostles, corruptive to the souls. Bearing such a non-human jealousy, whose source is God, he bears in his depths a unique love, together with firmness and faithfulness. He fears for the church in Corinth to lose the godly blessings it has received from him. The apostle Paul demonstrates his jealousy upon his children; the way a father whose daughter is called to become a bride for the heavenly Groom. And as a father, he is keen on 1 CSEL 81L 279-80. 285 presenting her a holy, and blameless bride; and would never bear to see her dishonored by anyone. The way he cares for the congregation as a father, It would be befitting of them to pay back this holy jealousy, with a holy jealousy, and would not allow anyone to say wrong things about him as their father. What dishonor them, dishonors their father; and what dishonor their father, dishonors them. Like a father, he is jealous as well on the virgin daughters of his land; caring for them to get a high education, to behave with reverence, and to get prepared for marriage as is befitting. In the Old Covenant, the High priest was committed to have only a pure chaste girl in marriage (Leviticus 21: 7). That was a shadow of what is befitting of the heavenly High Priest, the Bishop of our souls, the Lord Jesus Christ; Who, by His precious blood, makes out of the whole church in both the Old and the New Covenants, one chaste, blameless and pure virgin bride. The apostle Paul uses here a term stronger than bare “love”. The jealous souls enflame with enthusiasm toward their beloved. Jealousy, being a strong emotion, that is why, lest they would wrongly assume that he seeks authority, riches, or honor, Paul adds that his jealousy is “godly”. It is written that God is a jealous God, not in a human way, but in order that everyone would know his own right of authority on those he loves, and that what he does is for the sake of their increasing benefit. The human jealousy is basically set upon selfishness; whereas the divine jealousy is strong and pure. There is a difference between the human bride and the church. In the world a virgin woman loses her virginity through marriage, whereas in the church, those who were virgins (to a certain extent) before their turn to Christ, will perpetually enjoy virginity in Him; That is why the whole church is a virgin1. When it is said that God is jealous; no one should assume that Deity is emotional, but all should know that He does everything 1 In 2 Cor. Hom 23: 1. 286 only for the sake of those on whom He is jealous; to acquire nothing but to save them1. What the prophet David admires in the angels, saying: “Who makes the angels spirits (winds), His minister flames of fire” (Psalm 104: 4); is also seen in the apostle Paul, who, like fire and wind (spirit), crossed over the whole earth to purify it2. The present time is that of betrothal … The apostle takes upon himself the role of a match-maker, and puts the church in the position of a bride3. (St. John Chrysostom) When the apostle says: “I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ”, he is as though puts a “ring” on the church’s finger (see Luke 15: 22), as a sign of honor, of liberty, of faith, and the (dowry) of the heavenly matrimony4. He refers to the church as the bride of Christ … She is indeed a bride, who, through a virgin birth, grants life to the new infancy of Christ5. (Father Peter Christologos) He, who is “fairer than the sons of men”, the son of St. Mary, the Groom of the holy church; set her in the likeness of His mother; presented her to become a mother to us, and kept her a virgin to Him6. Listen to the apostle say, not only to the religious women, but the whole church: “I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a a chaste virgin to Christ”. And on account of that the devil is the corruptor of virginity, he adds: “But I fear 1 In 2 Cor. Hom 23. PG 61: 595. . 2 في مدیح القدیس بولس، عظة 1 3 In 2 Cor. Hom 23. PG 61: 596. 4 Selected Sermons (Frs. Of the Church), 5. 5 Selected Sermons (Frs. Of the Church), 146. 6 Sermons for Christmas and Epiphany (Acw), 13: 2. 287 lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (3). Few are they who have the virginity of the body, and are committed to it in the heart1. Why does Paul address his talk to such a diversity of people, and yet calls them all “a chaste virgin”, unless he refers to their faith, hope, and love2? The church, like the Virgin Mary, has an incorruptible perfection and fertility; What St. Mary is worthy of in flesh, has been adopted spiritually by the church; with one exception, that St. Mary gave birth to one Child; whereas the church has a multitude of children, designated to gather together as one body of the One Christ3. Do you wish to know how could the church be a mother and a virgin? Listen to the apostle Paul, to the jealous friend of the Groom, not for himself, but for the Groom, … Listen to him addressing the church; … What church? … To everyone who may receive his message … He says: “I fear lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness”; … How did he do that? By destroying the virginity of her heart. If you wonder how could the church, described as a virgin, give birth to children? … I will respond, saying that St. Mary has also been a virgin, yet she gave birth to the Lord; … and remained a virgin! … So is the church, she gives birth to children while a virgin; namely, she gives birth to Christ, as those baptized are members of His body4. (St.Augustine) The souls of all men and women are designated as “the bride of Christ”, in case they intend to keep the purity of the flesh and 1 Sermons on New Testament Lessons, 43: 4. 2 Feast of the Nativity, 188. 3 Feast of the Nativity, 195: 2. 4 Converts and the Creed, 213: 7. 288 the virginity of the heart; It is to be understood that Christ is the Groom of their souls, and not of their human bodies1. (Caesareus, Bishop of Arl) “But I fear lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (3) The apostle Paul takes them back to the beginning of human life, when the serpent crawled and corrupted the simplicity of Eve, and deprived her and her children of the unity with God. Now, with a holy jealousy, the apostle Paul intends not to allow the false teachers, who bear the poison of the old serpent, to spit the poison of their teachings in the church, and corrupt her simplicity and her fellowship with Christ Jesus her eternal Groom. He indeed applies the same words to himself as well, when he says: “… lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9: 27) 2. (St. John Chrysostom) “For if he who comes teaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spiritfrom the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you may well put up with it” (4) As there is only One Jesus, the Savior of the whole world; One Holy Spirit, who leads and sanctifies the church; and One gospel that proclaims the good news of salvation; Why then would they listen to the false teachers who attack the one who preached among them, and established the church in Corinth? Do they preach another Jesus, another Spirit, or another gospel? … Would they be able to present them in a better way than what Paul did? …. What have they presented to them?... Have they got a fellowship with Jesus, better than the one they enjoyed through the preaching of 1 Sermon 155: 4, On the Ten Virgins. 2 In Ephes., hom. 22. 289 Paul? … Have they got better spiritual gifts? … Those persons boasted, as though the preaching of the apostle Paul was not perfect; and that they came with more than what the true apostles did. Having most probably, by their meaningless talks, come with inconceivable nonsense, by which they covered the earth, the apostle likened them to the serpent that deceived Eve to anticipate more knowledge. He means to say, that if those people have come with something more, preached a different Christ who should be preached, and whom we have disregarded, you could well put up with them. But if they repeated what we said, or if they said what they should not have, contrary to what we have preached, Why should you so split from us, with such an admiration of their persons?! If they said something that should have been said, and which we have disregarded; We could not forbid you from listening to them; But if everything was perfectly consummated by us, and you lack nothing; Why should they then take you away from us1? (St. John Chrysostom) 2- HIS EXALTED KNOWLEDGE: “For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles” (5) The most eminent apostles have not been more effective than the apostle Paul, in preaching Jesus Christ the Savior, in the ministry by the Spirit, or in the distribution of the gospel of salvation. “May be I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. Certainly in every way and in all things, we have made this evident to you” (6) If he spoke to them with simplicity, and without eloquence; yet he was not without experience in the knowledge of God, in the heavenly spiritual issues, in the knowledge of the nature of human 1 In 2 Cor. Hom 23. PG 61: 597-598. 290 soul, or in the evangelic truth. They are witnesses to his experience and knowledge in all those aspects. The apostle Paul was only preoccupied with how to present the truth, and not with the eloquence of speech. He only cared for the kind of language by which he could reach the hearts of his listeners, namely, the language of love, together with simplicity and wisdom. St. John Chrysostom believes that by “the most eminent apostles” he meant Peter, James, and John1. It is obvious that the false apostles enjoyed the gift of eloquence that Paul might have lacked; Yet that meant nothing, as long as the essence of preaching was there, shedding its shadow on the glory of the cross; That eloquence is nothing more than an attractive appearance2! (St. John Chrysostom) Although Paul mastered the Hebrew literature, having been brought up at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 22: 3), yet he did not care much for the Greek eloquence, or has, at least, taken the position of silence concerning it, because of his humility; so that his preaching would not be set upon the conviction of his words, as much as the strength of his signs3. (St. Jerome) Without the Lord Jesus and the work of His divine strength, no one could know the secrets and the wisdom of God … The philosophers of God are those who are led by the divine strength, fed and controlled by it in their inner man. Compared with the Greek philosophers who were well trained in the eloquence of Speech; everyone else was considered as “common” in this concern4. (St. Maccar the Great) 1 In 2 Cor. Hom 23 PG 61: 598. 2 In 2 Cor. Hom 23: 3. 3 Against Rufinus 1: 17. 4 Sermon 17: 10. 291 3- REFUSING TO USE HIS RIGHT TO TAKE HELP FROM THEM: “Did I commit sin in abasing myself that you might be exalted; because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge?” (7) The false teachers misinterpreted the apostle Paul’s love, having proclaimed in his previous epistle waiving one of his apostolic rights, namely, to live on the gospel which he preaches. They wondered why should he work with his own hands for a living, when the other apostles are sustained by their preaching, and the churches were committed to their expenses? They considered his working for sustaining his daily needs as something unbefitting to the dedication by the true apostle to the apostolic work, and that it indicates that he was inferior to the other apostles. To this he responded by saying: “I abased myself that you might be exalted”. His only motive in this concern was to give the Corinthians the chance to receive the word without any material hindrance, or to burden them with any commitments. Ambrosiaster1 believes that the apostle Paul so did, to counter the care of the false apostles to preach, not for the sake of the glory of God,but for their own benefit, And he probably did it for fear that he would lose his authority to watch the sinners, based upon their sustenance of him. “I robbed other churches, taking wages from them, to minister to you. And when I was present with you, and in need, I was burden to no one” (8) By saying: “I robbed other churches”, the apostle Paul shows that those churches have not only encouraged him to minister to the Corinthians, but have provided him with a substantial material help to the account of that ministry. He probably also intends to hint to the fact that he accepted the contribution of the Macedonians after their reform; and is rejecting 1 CSEL 81: 284. 292 any contributions from the Corinthians, not until they realize their own reform, after which he would then readily accept their help. The word “wages” here is a military term referring to what the soldier gets of money and daily ration to be dedicated to his military job. It is as though he says to them: I committed you to nothing, but got my daily expenses and my necessities of life of food and clothing from other churches, for the sake of your salvation. Do you count this a crime, or a dishonor to the apostolic work?! Some may wonder why does the apostle Paul sometimes rejects sustenance from preaching, and sometimes accepts it? Here is the response of St. John Chrysostom: Paul was a man of diverse aspects and several sides. I do not mean to say that he was not a straight forward man! Far from it. But, as he once said, he became everything to all men, according to the required needs of the gospel, and to the salvation of humanity; following by that the lead of his Lord Jesus Christ. God, Himself, appeared as man when it was required to be; and in the old Covenant He also appeared as fire, in the attire of a ready worrier, as a needy old man, in the breath of wind, and as a traveler passing by. In short, He appeared as a genuine man, and in such a capacity, he did not refuse to die! I have to repeat the phrase “when it was required”, lest someone may assume that God is committed to do that; But He did all that out of His love for man. He sometimes appeared sitting on a throne, and some other times sitting on the cherubim; according to what was required at that particular time. When Paul imitates His Lord, we should not blame him. We see him sometimes as a Jew, and sometimes as a Gentile; … defending the law or against it; … holding fast to life, or not caring for it; … seeking help for his necessities, or rejecting gifts; … offering ritual sacrifices and having his head shaves, or counting him who does as accursed; … allowing circumcision, or forbidding it. … His actions might seem apparently as contradictory; but the 293 goal and wisdom behind them are utterly convincing as the situation required1. (St. John Chrysostom) The false apostles might look good on the surface; yet they were actually soul-robbers; or, according to St. John Chrysostom: [They actually collected money, although they were keen on denying it2]. “ for what was lacking to me the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself” (9) When he was present in Corinth preaching, he preferred not to ask anyone there for the necessities of life, to be a burden on no one; but sought them from the brethren who came from Macedonia. … Whom should be blamed for this: the apostle or the Corinthians? He probably refers here to the contributions sent by the church in Philippi of Macedonia; As when he was in Thessalonica, he sent to the Philippians saying that they provided his necessities once and again (Philippians 4: 15-16). “As the truth of Christ is in me, no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia” (10) Some believe that, by this kind of vow, he utters the truth of Christ which is in him. While others believe that it is an expression of his abidance in the truth which is not outside him, but dwells in him. Here, the apostle confirms that his preaching is for free, not even for the necessities; not only in Corinth, but all over the region of Achaia. “Why? Because I do not love you? God knows” (11) For fear lest the false teachers might claim that his reluctance of asking the Corinthians for his life necessities, while being present among them, and getting them from others, is because of a lack of love toward them, or of confidence in them; he . 1 في مدیح القدیس بولس، عظة 5 2 IN 2 Cor. Hom 24:1. 294 confirms here his love for them, presenting God Himself a Witness for what he says. “But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things in which they boast” (12) He justifies his resorting to others to get his necessities of life, by not wishing to give the opportunity to the false teachers in Corinth to boast of not seeking wages, while he – Paul – does; and so accusing him of being material and greedy. 4- THE DECEPTION OF THE PHALSE APOSTLES: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ” (13) The false teachers use every opportunity to corrupt the ministry, to distort the truth, and to raise doubt around the apostleship of Paul. They pretend not to seek wages for preaching, as being spiritual, to appear as apostles of the Lord Christ, and not deceptive. Yet, they will definitely appear as they actually are, deceitful workers; calling the name of Christ, and working diligently, while their teachings and their life is full of deception. “And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light” (14) No wonder that those liars practice the works of their father the liar and the deceitful, the devil, who transforms himself into an angel of light. He appeared to the first mother, Eve, as though to offer her a good counsel, and to enlighten her mind to know some knowledge new to her; leading her to disobedience. The devil uses all kinds of deception: talks sometimes through a crafty serpent; and appears sometimes as a roaring lion, or as an angel of light, etc. All that to corrupt the spiritual life of the believer, and to deprive him of the blessings of salvation. He invented all kinds of heresy and dissentions, to corrupt faith and truth, and to destroy unity; and in case he fails to keep us in such darkness, he draws us to a new maze of deception. He takes people away from the church; and when they think that they have approached the light, and got away from the night of 295 this world, he covers them deep in a new darkness, of which they are unaware. Although these false teachers do not abide to the gospel, or to the system and law of Christ, they claim to be in the light through the deceptive schemes of the enemy, about whom the apostle says that he transforms himself to an angel of light, and adorns his ministers as ministers of righteousness. They call the night day, death salvation, despair hope, treason faithfulness, antichrist Christ, and show the truth in a deceptive way. This is how it happens, O brethren, when we do not go back to the fountain of the Truth; when we do not look up to the Head, and do not follow the teaching that comes from heaven1. (St. Cyprian) St. Jerome gives us an interpretation of why the devil transforms himself as an angel of light. … He says that, as the bride seeks her heavenly Groom “at noon” (Songs 1: 7), in the light of the perfect knowledge, and of the good works. … the enemy transforms himself as heretics and false teachers, who appear as though shining with the light of knowledge, and who, through their false teachings, promise the kingdom of heaven, while presenting the deceptive light of the devil, and not the heavenly light of Christ. Do you wish to find me? You will find me at noon, in the perfection of knowledge, in the good works, In the splendor of light. … And as the noon is ours, the devil transforms himself as an angel of light, and pretends to have the light and the noon. … When the heretics promise what they claim to be secrets, promise the kingdom of heaven, promise chastity, fasts, sanctity, and denial of the world, They are promising the “noon”; Yet as their “noon” is not the light of Christ, it is not Christ’s “noon”, but that of the devil2. (St. Jerome) 1 The Unity of the Catholic Church, 3. 2 On Ps. Hom. 20. 296 The angel of light, being close to God, talks freely; That is how the devil pretends to be an angel of light1. (St. John Chrysostom) “Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their work” (15) If the ministers of the devil, like him, transform themselves as ministers of righteousness, Yet that will not be for long, but only temporarily, and they will end up in vanity, just as their works are. In his attempts to imitate the things concerning God; the devil sets false apostles to oppose the true ones; and transforms himself as an angel of light, to deceive men2. (Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus) He, who commends the virtue, yet at the same time, hides his shortcomings to give men a good impression about himself, is a liar, because he talks about virtue as though he has acquired it, or to condemn others. So are the evil heretics; Like the devil, they deceive the others, as the virtue in them is false and not genuine. It is written that the devil transforms himself as an angel of light; So no wonder that his ministers transform themselves in the likeness of the apostles of righteousness3. (St. Dorotheos) There is nothing but the mercy of God that could save man from his wrong assumption, that the wicked angels are good angels; and that the false friends are true friends; and could save him from suffering the complete, deadly, and inexpressible destruction through the deception of the devil4. (St. Augustine) 1 In 2 Cor. Hom 24: 1. 2 PG 82: 442. 3 On Lying. 4 City of God 19: 9. 297 5- PUTTING UP WITH THE FOOLISHNESS OF HIS BOASTING: “I say again, let no one think me a fool, If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little” (16) Starting to talk in some detail about his own qualifications, attributes, and strife in ministry, he feared of being accused as a fool, or someone seeking his own glory. “What I am saying in regard to this boastful confidence, I am saying, not with the Lord’s authority, but as a fool” (17) What he is going to utter is not according to the Lord, who does not wish for us to boast what we do. Lest everyone might find in his words the motive to boast what he has accomplished, or the sufferings he endured for the sake of ministry; the apostle says to them that he does it as a fool, in an absolutely exceptional way to confirm his apostleship. Do not tell me about what he wrote in his epistles; as what he kept inside him is more than what he said. He was reluctant to reveal everything inside him, for fear that he would be accused of boasting. Yet, at the same time, he did not keep silent about everything, lest that would encourage the tongues of the false apostles against himself. He did nothing haphazardly; but everything with order and good planning. All his works with their diverse aspects were worthy of (worldly) commendation from all. Let me say more about this. It is better indeed to refrain from self-commendation; Yet Paul did it in a way that he was commended for what he said more than if he chose to keep silent; … For if he did, he would be worthy of criticism more than those who shamefully commend themselves.. If he chose not to boast of his works, he would have lost everything, and his enemies would have got stronger. He knew how to benefit from every opportunity; In a befitting way, he admitted his mistakes, and gained the glory of obeying the commandment. 298 Although he talked about himself, yet he did within the proper limits. He did not talk much about his good works, so as not to fall into self-esteem; yet he knew when and where to stop. Paul gained glory by his boasting more than any other who hid his good works. He did not do that to satisfy himself; but called himself a fool, to keep the others from plunging in selfcommendation for its own sake; having so did, only in the situations that warranted it1. (St. John Chrysostom) “Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast” (18) By saying “boast according to the flesh”, he refers to the believers of Jewish origin who, according to the flesh, used to boast of being the children of Abraham. If many boast of temporal things, he could boast like them, but he prefers not to. What are those temporal things of which Paul boasts? His birth, wisdom, and popularity; Yet, knowing well that nothing of them is of any true value, he called himself a fool2. (St. John Chrysostom) “For you put up with fools gladly, since you yourselves are wise” (19) Paul probably counted those false teachers who called for the necessity of practicing circumcision. Keeping the Sabbath, etc. as fools; having walked according to the flesh; those, whom the Corinthians have gladly put up with. Here, he probably talked with sarcasm; as the Corinthians, claiming to be wise, saw Paul as a fool…. If they count themselves as wise; and the wise should put up with the foolishness and the weakness of others; Why have they not put up with the apostle Paul, whom they counted as a fool?! . 1 في مدیح القدیس بولس، عظة 5 2 In 2 Cor. Hom 24: 2. 299 “For you put up with it if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face” (20) Counting themselves as wise, and capable of putting up with the weak, they kept silent before the false teachers who brought them into bondage by their wrong teachings, despised them, corrupted their life, stroke them on the face, and disgraced them. Some believe that those false teachers were Jews who called for the necessity of literally keeping the law, concerning circumcision, keeping the Sabbath, the statutes of cleansing, etc. So they brought them into the bondage of the deadly letter, and devoured them; boasting of being the children of Abraham, the chosen people of God, who got the promises and the covenants, more exalted than all the other Christians of Gentile origin, whom they considered as dogs, not worthy of reaching the exalted level of the children of Israel. 6- HIS BOASTING ACCORDING TO THE FLESH: “To my shame, I must say, that we were too weak for that! But whatever anyone dares to boast of – I am speaking as a fool - - I also dare to boast of that” (21) To rebuke, and not to boast, Paul had to proclaim that whatever those Jews boasted of, he, as well, could also boast; counting all those things not worthwhile to boast of, but are actually objects of weakness, of which he has liberated himself to live with the spirit of strength. That is a new kind of deception; As those who deceive usually give and flatter; while those false teachers deceive, take, and dishonor. You have no excuse; as on one aspect, you dishonor those who humiliate themselves for your sake, to let you boast; and on another aspect, you admire those who dishonor you. Although we could do likewise, Yet we do not intend to do, as we seek your benefit1. 1 In 2 Cor. Hom 24. PG 61: 608. 300 By that, Paul means that he could do all those things referred to, yet he does not. While the false teachers publicly boast of the Corinthians, and rob them in secret; It so seems that the people were not aware of that, being deceived1. (St. Chrysostom) “Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? So am I! Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I!” (22) Here the apostle Paul, to justify his talk, he says that he lacks nothing of what those false teachers who boast according to the flesh claim to have; By that he confirms that their accusations are all vain. Concerning his birth, he is also a Hebrew like them; but he cherishes becoming a preacher in the church that does not discriminate according to race, as all have become the body of the One Christ. If they could talk Hebrew, and could read the Old Covenant in the language with which it was written, It is actually his own language, Yet he now talks the language of heaven. If they are Israelites, counting themselves as the chosen people of God; He is, as well, an Israeli, of the seed of Jacob, and not of Esau, of the tribe of Benjamin, through his father and his mother; Yet he now sees the new Israel, the true bride of Christ, that embraces all the nations, tongues, and peoples. They may boast being the seed of Abraham, the children of circumcision, and the owners of the covenant. So be it! The apostle, as well, is of the seed of Abraham, has been circumcised on the eighth day after birth; and lived anticipating the enjoyment of the divine promises. But now, he is a son of God, practicing the works of his heavenly Father. 7- THE APOSTLE”S OUTER LABORS: “Are they ministers of Christ? – I speak as a fool – I am more: In labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prison more frequently, in deaths often” (23) 1 In 2 Cor. Hom 24: 2. 301 After parading what they boasted of, concerning their birth, race, as Hebrews who have the right of the divine promises and the covenants; and had to proclaim the same merits like theirs; yet he sees them, not the object of strength and boasting, but they are rather objects of weaknesses. But, when they boast that they are ministers of Christ, he, being foolish, says that he is better; He is not a regular minister of Christ, as God, counting him faithful, called him to ministry. Here, he most probably speaks, not about the false apostles, but about the true ones, who partook of the same dangers he went through; Comparing himself to them he says: “Are the ministers of Christ? I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prison more frequently, in deaths often” (23). (St. John Chrysostom) He surpasses them in the labors of apostleship; He cherishes the grace of God that guided him, and supported him to endure labors in his apostleship, more than them. As a minister to the Gentiles, the Jews immensely hated him, and caused him troubles and persecutions, more than what the other apostles endured. Whenever there was a chance to oppose him, they did their best to torture him, and even tried to kill him. Concerning labors, he was a frequent traveler from one country to another, and from a province to another; and had to set forth to preach in other countries under the pressure of the Jews, who were persistent on killing him. Yet he felt the hand of God turning those troubles to a more extension of the preaching, and to establish the kingdom of light, instead of the darkness in several places. Concerning stripes, he had more from the heathens who, being governed by no law in punishment, struck him mercilessly beyond the limits recognized by civilized nations. Concerning prisons, his history had plenty of them; he was imprisoned more than two years in Rome (Acts 28); But nobody heard of a false apostle who was ever put in prison! In deaths often; He expected death every day because the persecutions he encountered. 302 Nobody else has been granted such a great love of the Lord like that blessed spirit. He seemed as though liberated of the body; His longing and flaming love for God, has lifted his mind up from material things to spiritual ones; from the present to the future; and from the things seen to the tings unseen. That is what faith brings forth; love for God above anything else. Although he was continuously chased, persecuted, and under punishment and sufferings without limits; Yet he rejoiced, being convinced that the labors of the present life is nothing but a chance to gain a greater reward; and that risks are the sources of crowns. If Jacob, motivated by his immense love for Rachel, counted seven years of hard work as few days; How much more would the blessed Paul, count all his labors as nothing; and endure everything for the sake of his love for the Lord Christ?! I beg you, O brethren. Care for loving Christ, who asks you for nothing, but to love Him from all your hearts, and to keep his commandments, as He said in the Holy Book1. In the Holy Book, we find an admiration for Jacob the son of Isaac (Genesis 32); But, who among men, could have a stronger endurance than Paul, who endured bondage, not for 14 years like Jacob (Genesis 29: 18, 27), but all his life long for the sake of the church, the bride of Christ. He endured, not just the heat of the day and the bitter cold of the night, but storms of temptations, scourging, stoning, confrontation of fierce beasts, dangers in the sea, fasting, nakedness, and dangers everywhere (2 Corinthians 11: 23); to be able to snatch the lambs from the fangs of the devil2. “From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one” (24) The Jews were governed by the law that allows only for forty stripes (Deuteronomy 25: 3). And lest they might break the 1 In Gen. hom 55. . 2 في مدیح القدیس بولس، عظة 1 303 law by miscounting, they usually struck the condemned 39 stripes. And according to the ‘Meshnah’, if someone is in no physical condition to endure the 40 stripes, he only gets 18 stripes, and is counted as having fulfilled the full load of punishment. The one to be scourged, had his hands are tie to a pillar; his clothes taken off or torn off his chest and back by an officer of the synagogue, who holds a whip of leather of three branches; and strikes with all his might: one third of the stripes on the back, one third on the right shoulder, and one third on the chest. It was not allowed to use such punishment on the same person more than once in his lifetime; except for the worst kinds of criminals1. See how he does not boast anywhere of performing signs and wonders, but of his persecutions and temptations…. Everywhere we find him disturbed by what dwelt upon him from his own and from strangers. This is an apostolic personality; And by his like the gospel is woven2. (St. John Chrysostom) “Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep” (25) In Philippi he was beaten with rods according to the Roman law (Acts 16: 22); which was repeated twice in other regions. He was stoned in Lystra (Acts 14: 19). He was shipwrecked (Acts 27). He has been in the deep, namely in a dungeon in the inner prison, where he spent days and nights. We admire Isaac for many things, particularly for his perseverance: He dug wells (Genesis 26:18); and allowed his enemies to fill them with dirt; and when he was deprived of his possessions, he did not fight back. He was moving along all the time; and did not gather his men against his enemies, but departed leaving his possessions behind him, for his enemies. Paul, on the other hand, when he saw, not his wells filled 1 Mishna, Maccoth, Fol 20, 10. 2 In 2 Cor hom 25. PG 61: 614-615. 304 with dirt, but his body stoned, he did not depart from his place like Isaac, but chased his tormentors and strove to bring them over to heaven. The more sufferings he encountered, the more enduring he became1. “In Journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren” (26) “In journeys often”, Here he refers to his journeys for the sake of preaching, and care for the churches. “In perils of waters”, which came in Greek (potamoon), namely rivers. According to Ambrosiaster, the apostle was always in perils of pouring rain in winter, and of flooding rivers. “In perils of robbers”, He was often attacked by robbers on the highways, and being poor and having no worthwhile possessions to rob, he was not harmed; Yet he was always in serious danger. In perils of my own countrymen”, The Jews, considering him as an apostate of the Jewish faith, and an opponent of the Mosaic law; plotted to have him killed (Acts 23: 12). “In perils of the Gentiles”, to whom he set forth to preach. “In perils in the city”, He confronted several riots against him in several cities, particularly in Jerusalem, Ephesus, and Damascus. ‘In perils in the wilderness”, through which he had to pass during his journeys from one city to another; confronting robbers, wild beasts, beside the severe weather during the day and the night; and probably hunger and thirst as well. “In perils in the sea”, confronting pirates, fierce storms; shipwreck, when the soldiers intended to kill all the prisoners on board, including him, lest they might escape if allowed to swim to safety (Acts 27: 42-44). . 1 في مدیح القدیس بولس، عظة 1 305 “In perils among false brethren”, Those who pretended to believe in Christ, and joined the church to destroy it from within; and to find an excuse to stir the congregation against the apostle Paul, as it happened in Corinth. He suffered as well from the apostates. Everyone admires the righteous ‘Job’, and he is worthy of admiration; having fought a great battle, and might be compared to Paul in his perseverance, purity of life, testimony to God, courageous struggle against the devil, and his final conquest. Yet, as far as Paul is concerned, his struggle went on, not for a few months, but for several years. He persisted on casting himself into the mouth of the lion, and on wrestling temptations without limit, proving that he is more solid than a rock. He was cursed, not just by three or four of his close friends, but by a multitude of false brethren; was slandered, reviled, and spat on1. His immense zeal kept him from feeling the pains accompanying his life in virtue; and had no ulterior hidden motives behind seeking it. We may fail to endure sufferings for the sake of virtue, even if we are shown the reward beforehand; But Paul embraced the sufferings free and with love, and endured with joy all the difficulties and obstacles along the way to virtue. He never complained because of the weakness of the body, the pressures of responsibility, the heavy hand of popular customs, or anything else. Although his responsibilities surpassed those of rulers and kings, yet his virtue grew day after day; The more dangers he confronted, the more his zeal got enflamed; He says: “One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (Philippians 3: 13) 2. (St. John Chrysostom) . 1 في مدیح القدیس بولس، عظة 1 . 2 في مدیح القدیس بولس، عظة 2 306 Some acquire the responsibilities of shepherding, to have the honor and blessing of taking care of the flock of Christ; But others occupy this position to enjoy the temporal honors and worldly benefits that come with it. Both kinds of shepherds are there by the nature of things, in the catholic church, and will continue to be until the end of time, and the great day of judgment of the Lord. Although many such persons were there at the apostolic era, by whose behavior the apostle Paul suffered, and whom he counted among the temptations that dwelt upon him; Yet, he never treated them with arrogance or haughtiness, but endured them with longsuffering. How much more will we find in our time, which is closer to the ultimate end, about which the Lord Christ says: “Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24: 12-13). Yet we are comforted by the words to follow: “But he who endures to the end shall be saved” 1. Despite the multitude of complaints that the apostle proclaimed against the false apostles, he was never defiled by their physical company, but separated himself from them through the purity of his heart2. (St. Augustine) According to St. Augustine, the apostle Paul, in dealing with the false apostles, used wisdom together with eloquence; although he says: “I speak foolishly” (17); Wisdom was his guide, while eloquence was his companion; he followed the former, and was followed by the later3. 8- HIS LABORS BY HIS OWN CHOICE: “In weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness” (27) Troubles were his persistent companion wherever he went. The apostle spent several sleepless nights, whether by choice, 1 Letter 208 to Felicia. 2 Macrobius Letter 108. 3 On Christian Doctrine, 4: 7 (12). 307 praying for the sake of the ministry, preaching and teaching; or against his will while persecuted. It was not easy for someone of the caliber of the apostle Paul, who used to be highly esteemed as a zealous Jewish leader, with authority, capabilities, culture, and knowledge, which he cherished; and being of a family of high social position; It was not easy for such a man to suffer so much trouble toil, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, cold, and nakedness. You may say that John the Baptist fed on locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3: 4). Yet Paul, although he lived in the world, not in the wilderness, and did not eat locusts and wild honey, yet he was content with a simple, ascetic kind of table, disregarding the necessities for the sake of his zeal for preaching1. (St. John Chrysostom) 9- HIS DEEP CONCERN FOR ALL THE CHURCHES: “besides the other things, what comes upon me daily, my deep concern for all the churches” (28) Beside his suffering on the outside, he put upon himself to share with his Christ, His cross, by being concerned for all the churches he preached; whether for the spiritual, behavioral, dogmatic, and the management aspects; beside the material problems and the afflictions he had to confront. As a father, he had to endure all what dwell upon his children. You probably say that ‘Job’ suffered acute unbearable pain caused by the worms and the wounds that inflicted his body. That is true, But we have to take into consideration the impact of the multitude of stripes endured by Paul along the years, of the continuous fasting, nakedness, chains, imprisonment, risks and dangers on a daily basis; beside the plots planned against him by his own countrymen, and the tyrants on the outside, all over the world. . 1 في مدیح القدیس بولس، عظة 1 308 We may add to all that his bitter experience; namely, his sufferings for the sake of the fallen; his concerns for all the churches; and the slanders he endured with courage and solidity, that surpassed that of iron and unbreakable rock; If we add all that up, we shall find that Paul has endured, spiritually, what “Job’ endured physically. Yes, he endured grief more bitter and painful than any worms, for the sake of the fallen. Fountains of tears were flowing from his eyes day and night for the sake of every soul, more painful than the pangs of a woman in labor; that made him say: “My little children, for whom I labor in birth” (Galatians 4: 19) 1. (St. John Chrysostom) 10- HIS FELLOWSHIP WITH THOSE WHO SUFFER: “Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation” (29) He finds pleasure to partake of the labors of his children; commiserates with every persecuted church; moans together with the moans of every believer; and feel bitterness with the weakness of everyone in sin. Who becomes weak in his faith, and the apostle does not feel as though he himself is the weak party? And who is made to stumble, and the apostle’s heart does not burn by the fire of love; and hold him fast in a living and practical faith? How could we compare Paul, who moans on a daily basis, for the sake of every man in this world; for the sake of every race and city; for the sake of every soul? He whose will was more solid than iron, and harder than steal? Where can we find the words to describe such a blessed spirit2?! (St. John Chrysostom) We should count the captivity of our brethren as our own captivity; and the sorrows of those in danger as our own . 1 في مدیح القدیس بولس، عظة 1 . 2 في مدیح القدیس بولس، عظة 1 309 sorrows. We have to believe that there is one body for our unity. Not only our love, but also our religion, should motivate and encourage us to save the members of our own family1. (St. Cyprian) Paul does not pretend to bear their weaknesses, but he actually commiserates with them2. (St. Augustine) What an amazing feeling in such a shepherd! When someone falls he says: ‘I am immensely grieved’. And when someone is made to stumble, he says: ‘The fires of my sufferings are torturing me’! I wish all those entrusted with shepherding a reasonable flock, follow his example; I wish they show that they are not less caring than the shepherd who cares for an unreasonable flock. In case of the unreasonable flock, not much harm would be caused by probable slothfulness; Whereas in our case, as shepherds of a reasonable flock, the harm done by the perdition of a single lamb, would be very serious indeed; and the punishment would be horrible and unutterable, As for the sake of this single lamb, the Lord shed His precious blood; So what would be our excuse for allowing ourselves to be slothful in caring for the one for whom the Lord Himself cared3?! (St. John Chrysostom) “If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my weaknesses” (30) The apostle doe not boast in his natural abilities, nor in the gifts given to him by God, as all these would not justify him or grant him a crown on the great day of the Lord, but he boasts in what God granted him of endurance of the persecutions and afflictions for the sake of preaching the gospel, and faith in Christ. 1 Letter 62: 1. 2 Letter 40 to Jerome. 3 On Genesis, hom 57. 310 By the weaknesses here he does not mean falling into some sin, as that would not be a subject of boasting, but he means the afflictions and labors. 11- HIS ESCAPE FROM DAMASCUS: “The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying” (31) The apostle confirms what he says here by the testimony of God the Father, that he is not lying, particularly in his fellowship with the weak and the suffering; things to which no one except the One who searches the hearts and mind, could testify. The apostle Paul had previously used the same vow or divine testimony in 2 Corinthians 11: 10; Romans 9: 5; Galatians 1: 2. Here, he does not use God’s name in vain, but resort to His testimony for the sake of the salvation of his brethren and the peace of the church. He seeks, not what is for his own, but what is for the others in the Lord. St Augustine dealt with this issue of ‘Not vowing’ in his work ‘The sermon on the Mount’. “In Damascus, the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to apprehend me” (32) At the start of the ministry of the apostle Paul, the governor of Damascus, having seen that the Jews have planned to kill Paul, intended to arrest him, on one aspect to please the Jews, and on another aspect to show off that he practices his work in a perfect way. One may ask: Where was the divine power accompanying the apostle during that event? Everything happens according to the will of God; In certain situations, the apostles were allowed to perform signs and miracles; And in other situations they looked helpless; which caused some to stumble; So as to demonstrate the difference between the believers and the unbelievers; and to test the free will. If the apostles were allowed to do whatever they desired in all things, they would have brought men to God by force; and the matter would not be then, an 311 issue of faith or non-faith. But Christianity, as it is written, is “a stumbling stone, and a rock of offense” (Romans 9: 33) 1. “But I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands” (33) Although the apostle Paul escaped from the hands of the governor of Damascus by human hands, let down in a basket through a window in the city wall, yet, having put his life in God’s hands, he counted what happened to be through the care of God. Leaning upon God does not mean the rejection of human help, but the rejection of leaning upon human hand. The apostle Paul was not ashamed to mention that he was let down in a basket; having been a way to save him, not out of fear of death, but to resume his preaching mission. In the last two verses, the apostle Paul referred to that particular episode, as though he forgot to mention it when he made a list of his sufferings; probably because the work of God is very obvious in saving him from the hands of King ‘Aretas’, or because that was the first persecution he encountered. Some wonder how could Damascus be reigned by an Arab king! The apostle refers here to king ‘Aretas’, the father-in-law of ‘Herod Antipas’. When ’Aretas’ made war against ‘Herod’ who divorced his daughter to marry ‘Herodea’, his brother’s wife’, Herod’ resorted to Emperor ‘Tibrius’, who sent ‘Vitellius’ the great commander to bring ‘Aretas’ dead or alive to Rome. For some reason or another, because ‘Vitellius’ was late in coming, and in the meantime ‘Tibrius’ died, ‘Aretas’2 got away and seized Damascus. It so seem that Paul’s enemies sought from the king to put him under arrest, claiming that he is a spy working to the account of the Romans. And counted his escape as an escape from the cross. 1 Sermon 26: 6. 2 Joseph, Anitq. Lib 18c. 5. 312 Having been let down in a basket, to escape from Aretas’ hands, the apostle Paul has not forsaken the church in Damascus, but to have the chance to resume his mission somewhere else. He acted that way heading the counsel of his congregation, particularly because he was the only one wanted by the persecutors. I wish the minister of Christ, of the Word, and the sacraments, does according to what God commands or allows. I wish he, by all possible means, escape from the city, in case he is the only one sought by the persecutors, and the rest of the congregation are not. … But in case the danger is on all, namely, on the shepherds, as well as on the congregation; either all of them resort to a secure refuge; or, if they choose rather to stay put, the leaders should never forsake their herds, whom they provide with their spiritual needs. … So all would equally live or die according to the will of the Lord1. (St. Augustine) 1 Leyyer 228 to Honiratus. 313 AN INSPIRATION FROM 2 CORINTHIANS 11 YOUR CHURCH IS OUR PRODUCTIVE MOTHER A CHASTE VIRGIN FOR YOU, O HEAVENLY GROOM Grant my soul to be a chaste virgin for You; You set a secret place for her heavenly wedding; Make her an icon of You; To be qualified for the fellowship of Your glory; Lift her up to Your heaven; To draw many others together with her. She will never have rest until she, if possible, sees all humanity for You. Grant Your church, our New mother, to exult every day by unceasing new births. Protect her against the tricks of the ancient serpent; Who corrupted the virginity of the heart of our early mother Eve. Grant me, together with the apostle Paul, to testify to Your gospel; That You delivered to Your bride, to prepare her for Yourself; Yes, to renew humanity along the generations. It is the book of every era; The book of every man; It is the new resurrected life; It bears all generations to beyond the time. Grant me to testify to Your gospel together with the apostle Paul. Not by eloquence and shining words; But by the spirit of true love and power Grant me, together with the apostle Paul, to seek nothing; In preaching Your gospel; As there is no reward greater than the salvation of my brethren; My reward is to see You transfigure in every heart. My reward is for all to enjoy the knowledge of Your divine secrets. 314 Protect me together with them against the devil; That deceiver who persist on deception; He who transforms himself as an angel of light; When he is the ruler of the hosts of darkness; In every generation he sends his false apostles and teachers; Who bear the appearance of piety, righteousness, and knowledge; To deceive the simple, like their evil father; What can I say, about the strife of the great among the apostles? He, who lived to endure death on a daily basis. He, who, unceasing persecutions gave him pleasure; He, who lived, as though without a body; Yes indeed, Who could be like him?!
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