ACC ~ 2 Corinthians 12 v9

FAITH CROWNED. CYPRIAN: When some infirmity and weakness and desolation attacks us, then our power is made perfect, and our faith is crowned if it has stood firm through temptation. ON MORTALITY 12.

UNJUST INJURIES. AMBROSIASTER: Paul is clearly teaching that the time for boasting is when one is being humiliated by unjust injuries. Christ gives us the power to endure these so that what previously appeared to be painful and loathsome may be accepted with gladness. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

THE IRONY OF WRONG PRAYER. PELAGIUS: We learn from this that even a wrong prayer will receive an answer, even if it does not get what it wants. COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 12.

MORE TRIALS, MORE GRACE. CHRYSOSTOM: God told Paul that it was enough that he could raise the dead, cure the blind, cleanse lepers and do other miracles. He did not need exemption from danger and fear as well, or complete freedom to preach without any form of hindrance. Indeed, when these troubles come, God’s power of deliverance is shown, and the gospel triumphs in spite of persecution. The more the trials increased, the more grace increased as well. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 26.3.

MATURITY THROUGH PERSECUTION. SEVERIAN OF GABALA: God’s power is made perfect in persecutions and sufferings. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

FOR A HIGHER PURPOSE. THEODORET OF CYR: Paul wanted to make it clear that his affliction was not a natural property of the body but something which was intended by God for a higher purpose. COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 350.

THE SOURCE OF OUR STRUGGLE. AUGUSTINE: The more one easily conquers, the less one needs combat. But who would fight within himself if there were no opposition from self? And why is there opposition from self if nothing remains in us to be healed and cured? Therefore, the sole cause of our fighting is weakness in ourselves. Again, weakness cautions against pride. Truly, that strength and virtue by which one is not proud in this life where he could be proud is made perfect in weakness. AGAINST JULIAN 4.2.11.

EVIL’S TESTIMONY TO GOODNESS. TERTULLIAN: Still, we must realize that as you cannot have a persecution without evil on the part of the devil or a trial of faith without a persecution, the evil that seems required for the trial of faith is not the cause of persecution but only its instrument. The real cause of the persecution is the act of God’s will, choosing that there be a trial of faith; then there follows evil on the part of the devil as the chosen instrument of persecution which is the proximate cause of the trial of faith. For in other respects too, insofar as evil is the rival of justice, to that extent it provides material to give testimony of that of which it is a rival, and so justice may be said to be perfected in injustice, as strength is perfected in weakness. For the weak things of the world are chosen by God that the strong may be put to shame, and the foolish things of this world to put to shame its wisdom. Thus even evil may be used that justice may be glorified when evil is put to shame. FLIGHT IN TIME OF PERSECUTION 2.1.

2 Cor