ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 4 v14

THE PHYSICIAN’S WORK. AMBROSIASTER: Paul is acting here like a good physician who alleviates the pain caused by his operation to remove the disease, so that the sick person will let himself be cured. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

THE KNIFE AND THE PAIN. CHRYSOSTOM: Not to speak against sins would have been impossible, since they would have remained uncorrected. To have left the wound untended after having spoken would have been harsh. Therefore Paul apologizes for being severe, because so far from destroying the effect of the knife it makes it sink in even deeper, while at the same time it looks toward soothing the pain of the wound. When a person is told that these things are being said in love and not in reproach, he will be more open to receiving correction. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 13.3.

1 Cor