Roman writer, statesman, and monk, b. about 490; d. about 583 [Source]. Translated using ChatGPT
2 Cor 6:1 “But helping, we exhort you by the word of God not to receive the grace of God in vain.”
He receives the grace of God in vain who does not labor with God’s grace nor add his own diligence so that he may fulfill God’s commandments — now, in this present time of salvation, with God giving and helping, accomplish salvation. This applies to one who is not new in the New Testament and who pursues a new life; otherwise the grace of God profits him nothing. For to the Galatians he says the same: “I do not reject the grace of God.”
For God says through the prophet Isaiah: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” For me, the acceptable time for hearing and the day of salvation is in this life, as the Savior says: “Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you.”
2 Cor 6:2 “Behold, now is the acceptable time.”
As elsewhere: “While we have time, let us do good.” This life is called a day because it is suited for working, and it is closed by the night of judgment in which no one can work. This life is also called summer, in comparison to which ants are said to prepare for the coming winter.
2 Cor 6:3 “Giving no offense to anyone, that our ministry be not blamed.”
Let no one be offended by our example, lest it be thought not so much our fault as that of the ministry. But in all things — not in some — let us present ourselves. From this it is shown that, being restored by the grace of God, we can with God’s help present ourselves as ministers to God in the virtues described.
As ministers of God, they ought in all things to imitate God and be known from life and action as true worshipers of God, just as He allows Himself to be blasphemed by all and in this present life does not deny His benefits even to the ungrateful.
2 Cor 6:4 “In much patience.”
Not in little. Now he describes the members of patience.
“In tribulations.” Every injury is tribulation.
“In necessities.” Whatever is necessary, let us bear as necessity requires.
“In distresses.” Distress is every lack.
2 Cor 6:5 “In stripes, in prisons, in seditions.” From the rulers of places.
“In labors, in watchings.” Labors of journeys or works which ought to belong more to the mind than to the body; for vigils of honesty mortify the flesh with fastings. Note that fastings are numbered among virtues.
2 Cor 6:6 “In chastity.” True chastity is that which is preserved both in heart and body.
“In knowledge.” Knowledge is a species of virtue if one is instructed by it and not puffed up.
“In long-suffering.” True long-suffering is enduring over a long time.
“In kindness.” Kindness is when we generate no bitterness in anyone by our conduct, fulfilling the Apostle’s word: “Let all bitterness and clamor and blasphemy be removed from you with all malice,” and that it may be said of you, “his throat is sweetness and he is wholly desirable.”
“In the Holy Spirit.” That is, we can present ourselves by His gift if we prepare ourselves worthy of His gift and do not violate His temple which He commanded in baptism.
“In unfeigned charity.” Charity is truly unfeigned if we do to others all that we wish to be done to us, as Saint John says: “Let us not love in word or speech but in deed and truth.” It is also unfeigned when we correct the faults of brothers with kindly affection.
2 Cor 6:7 “In the word of truth.” The word of truth is the word of Christ brought forth from the Scriptures, if it is rightly spoken — and we must beware lest we make truth into a lie, or fail in the command, “Do not lie to one another.”
“In the power of God, through the weapons of righteousness.” In the power of Christ through the weapons of righteousness — against the weapons of the law He overcame the devil.
“On the right hand and on the left.” That we may not be lifted up by prosperity nor broken by adversity.
2 Cor 6:8 “Through honor and dishonor.” Honor of virtues, dishonor of prisons.
“Through evil report and good report.” Let us bear all these equally through patience — let not those who praise exalt us nor those who detract cast us down, since sometimes both must lie. Looking to conscience, we should not give more credence to others about ourselves than to ourselves.
“As deceivers and yet true.” He explains evil and good report: by some called deceivers, by others not only truthful but even called gods. Therefore it is no wonder if the apostles were called deceivers, since the Jews said the same of the Lord.
2 Cor 6:9 “As unknown.” By unbelievers.
“As dying, and behold we live.” That is, coming even to the despair of life — as when he was stoned and thought dead, yet rose and taught in Lystra. Note that adversities and temporal things are treated as “as if,” like recounting a dream — “it seemed to me as if I were there” — but eternal rewards have no “as if.”
“As chastened and not killed.” “The Lord has chastened me but has not delivered me to death.”
2 Cor 6:10 “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.” Sorrowful in severity of countenance, yet rejoicing in heart even in tribulation through hope.
“As poor, yet making many rich.” In the very fact that we are in need, we abound for others when alms are given through us — or being poor in earthly things, we make others rich as a kind of exchange for eternal reward.
“As having nothing, yet possessing all things.” As Solomon says: to the faithful the whole world is riches — since all things are the Lord’s, no one has more than he who needs nothing; he needs nothing who seeks nothing beyond necessities.
CONTINUE
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