Homilies on Second Corinthians — Homily 13

St. John Chrysostom

1. 0. Greeting
2. Chapter 4

Our mouth is open unto you, O you Corinthians, our heart is enlarged, you are not straitened in us, but you are straitened in your own affections.

Having detailed his own trials and afflictions, for in patience, says he, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, (v. 4, 5.) in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumult, in labors, in watchings; and having shown that the thing was a great good, for as sorrowful, says he, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things; [[2 Corinthians 6.10]] and having called those things armor, for as chastened, says he, and not killed: and having hereby represented God's abundant care and power, for he says, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not of us; [[2 Corinthians 4.7]] and having recounted his labors, for he says, we always bear about His dying; and that this is a clear demonstration of the Resurrection, for he says, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh; [[2 Corinthians 4.10]] and of what things he was made partaker, and with what he had been entrusted, for we are ambassadors on behalf of Christ, [[2 Corinthians 3.20]] says he, as though God were entreating by us; and of what things he is a minister, namely, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; [[2 Corinthians 3.6]] and that he was entitled to reverence not only on this account, but also for his trials, for, Thanks be to God, says he, which always causes us to triumph: he purposes now also to rebuke them as not being too well minded towards himself. But though purposing he does not immediately come upon this, but having his discussion of these things. For if even from his own good deeds he that rebukes be entitled to reverence; yet still, when he also displays the love, which he bears towards those who are censured, he makes his speech less offensive. Therefore the Apostle also having stepped out of the subject of his own trials and toils and contests, passes on into speaking of his love, and in this way touches them to the quick. What then are the indications of his love? Our mouth is open unto you, O you Corinthians. And what kind of sign of love is this? Or what meaning even have the words at all? 'We cannot endure,' he says, 'to be silent towards you, but are always desiring and longing to speak to and converse with you;' which is the wont of those who love. For what grasping of the hands is to the body, that is interchange of language to the soul. And along with this he implies another thing also. Of what kind then is this? That 'we discourse unto nothing.' For since afterwards he proposes to rebuke, he asks forgiveness, using the rebuking them with freedom as itself a proof of his loving them exceedingly. Moreover the addition of their name is a mark of great love and warmth and affection; for we are accustomed to be repeating continually the bare names of those we love.

Our heart is enlarged. For as that which warms is wont to dilate; so als