The Joy of Obedience and the Equality of Giving

toward all, in whatever ill-treatment we undergo for the sake of the truth. The truth. For when we had come to Macedonialesh had no respite from the constantly attacking trials. Yet even if the flesh has no rest, we take courage in the Spirit, since we are not hemmed in even when oppressed in every way.

Interpreting what those distressing things were, he brought forward that there were battles indeed from without, but fears from within. And this is understood in two ways: first, it must be said that there exist battles from without for the apostles from those wishing to persecute and influence, but fears from within for those within the church who seem to be steadfast and unshakeable; for they feared the instability of the Corinthians might waver, being quickly carried away from the doctrines of the truth, whence he says to them: 'I fear lest, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, your minds be corrupted' (2 Cor 11:3).ght be understood as this: that the uprisings against us are occurring; those from without afflict us, yet do not advance so far as to trouble the heartrt. However, even if the soul is undisturbed, there are fears within concerning falling away; for we are liable to fall away.

God, who shows grace to the humble, comforts them, offering encouragement, so that they may bear the heavy things with endurance (2 Cor 7:6); he also comforted us by the arrival of Titus from you to us (2 Cor 7:7). And it was not his presence alone that comforted, but also his report concerning you; for he told of the godly zeal you showed him. He also extended to us, who know his gladness, the news of how surpassingly he keeps his affection and compassion for you. You have zeal and lamentation and longing on my behalf, so that I no longer doubt that you have left behind the rebukes of the former letterwords that the sorrow, having existed for a little while from what was written, has become a seed and the greatest occasion for joy (2 Cor 7:10).

By 'the one who did wrong' he means the man who had taken his father's wife, and by 'the one wronged' either the father — whose wife he had taken, even if the father is dead — or the law that forbids such a marriage (2 Cor 7:12). For had the address been made primarily for their sake, he could have written a letter not of general scope but directed at them. Scope but directed at them.

It must be sought, not for their sake, but so that your zeal may be known through the spoken word having been inscribed for the purpose of obeying; for concerning this I always boast, exhorting the Macedonians to the same zeal. Indeed, it was necessary, so that I might not be ashamed of you having received sorrow not properly. Since therefore it did not happen so, but according to God you having grieved, as much as much, followed by repentance, I rejoice and am confident in all such things in you.

Through this joy, our encouragement and consolation were increased, with Titus testifying concerning your zeal with holiness (2 Cor 7:13-15), for he says the spirit rests from your obedience, especially since he found it so, just as I always announced to him concerning your obedience. The spirit rests somewhat when, from those who are the causes of rest, one receives according to piety and virtue and a faithful mindset according to the truth, those who receive the pleasant things of life from those who gladden, resting according to the flesh and not according to the spirit.

For Titus constantly restores us by announcing your beautiful obedience; and this itself becomes a cause of delight, because just as we were seen always speaking with the truth. The word of piety does not compel one to give what one does not have, but what one has should be provided willingly (2 Cor 8:10-15). And this will be easily accomplished when they see who are the partakers; for these are holy and God's healers. Therefore we also hope that an exchange will be; for they are sufficient to provide spiritual things instead of the sensible things they receive. For thus equality will be even in the present time, as it happened during the giving of the manna, neither the one having little being diminished nor the one having much exceeding; for inequality remains when, those having heavenly things of the saints, and you having earthly things, no exchange takes place. Therefore, sow carnal things, participating in the needs of the saints, so that you may reap from them the spiritual; for thus there will be equality in your receiving from the great and from those who are small; for you shall have the great things with the small, and they the small things with the great. And this equality will exist according to restorative justice.

I write these things, not defending myself to you—for I know how you contend concerning us—but so that we might not only (2 Cor 8:24)...