Defense of Apostolic Integrity and the Nature of Paul's Afflictions

I struck with the word, so that those being restored by it might correct themselves, and those disobedient to the word might be reproved, while those needing a separation by deeds are identified.

Knowing that some are being persuaded even while hearing, I do not wish to use separation yet; rather, when those obeying appear, it may be shown who are being instructed by the word and who are in need of a turning back. Test accurately each one according to the worthiness of the face's conduct (2 Cor 10:7). This he sees regarding the apostles; for since it was destined to reprove those from circumcision, and they were putting forward Peter and James and John, be certain, he says, lest the status of faces might ever prevent you from perceiving the truth. We write these things not imitating those commending themselves—for this is not good (2 Cor 10:12)—for they do not perceive that they themselves measure themselves within themselves and are not able to compare themselves to another; for when compared to others they are nothing. We do not boast beyond our measure as if we were superior to greater things (2 Cor 10:14); for even unto you we came and proclaimed the word (2 Cor 10:15–16). They boast of their own labors regarding our things, but we do not, but according to law we boast of the rule and the measure allotted to us, hoping to evangelize even beyond you as your faith increases. And he says 'rule' to mean reaching as far as them (2 Cor 10:17). Even if we boast, it is not as if we were rectifying by our own wisdom, but by the grace of the Spirit (2 Cor 11:2). You died, he says, to the law, and have become another man, to the one risen from the dead. How then could a pure virgin have been previously married? But having been reborn through the bath of regeneration and having passed into another life, a pure virgin is justly so named. Faith in Christ and the brightness of the Spirit confirm the Christian life (2 Cor 11:4). If then you did not receive these things, you seek well those who still wish to live according to the law (2 Cor 11:10–12). Not reproaching the Corinthians, he says this, but reproving those who use the preaching as a matter of commerce. Therefore he says that I do not stop boasting.

He means that I have not made the preaching a commercial venture like those; for I neither received anything from you nor do I receive, not as one not loving you—for I do love—but so that I might cut off the pretext of the accusers, so that whether they boast falsely or truly, they may be revealed just as we also are revealed (2 Cor 12:2–5).

To show this a strong, immortal soul; for if he had known it was mortal, he would not have been wavering whether he saw the vision outside the body or in the body. And regarding the third heaven, he said the third of the expanse; for if he had ascended up to the three heavens, he certainly would have heard the unspeakable words there and not in Paradise. And let no one suppose Paradise to be above the heaven; for according to the east it is planted upon the earth in the place of Eden, whence also Adam was formed, as Moses recounts. And he speaks of persecutions as weaknesses, not a bodily passion as some suppose (2 Cor 12:7).

It is suspected by many as having a pain around the head, but the truth is he speaks of persecutions, since the temptations came from a diabolical energy. And he called the one serving the temptation to the devil a Satanic angel, from a transformation of the angels serving God. And that which was given according to the forgiveness of God should be understood as also regarding Job; for God does not give evil (2 Cor 12:9).

You have an apostolic grace; do not seek this and succeed even without temptations; for my power is perfected in persecutions and tribulations (2 Cor 12:13). If then you have nothing to accuse me of, that I, having desisted from seeking sustenance despite the need, received nothing from you, in which even if you think I have sinned, forgive me and grant me grace for this injustice which you think is being done by me (2 Cor 12:14).

This testifies to them regarding the second and third time to be toward them because of the preaching (2 Cor 13:4). Just as Christ was said to have become sin and a curse, being neither sin nor a curse, but he took upon himself our evils so that we might be delivered from them; so also now, he is said to have been crucified not from his own weakness, but from that which he received on our behalf, the dispensations on our behalf.