2 Coríntios 4
Philoxenus of Mabbug
2 Coríntios 4:2
Now the blessed Paul also wisely rejected cunning, saying, "We walk not in craftiness, and we handle not the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth we shew ourselves before all the consciences of the children of men." And behold, Paul also hath taught thee that deceit is closely joined to cunning and that it is the vessel of all wickednesses, and for this reason he also fled therefrom. And who is the disciple who will not reject it if the apostle rejected it and cast it forth, and made it a thing alien to the pure doctrine of Christ, which befitted him not? For as wickedness is the opposite of good, so also is cunning the opposite of simplicity. — 13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 4 -- On Faith: First Discourse on Simplicity
2 Coríntios 4:18
Do thou then, O disciple, make use of faith in its fair order, and turn it not into error; and believe by it in God and in His promises, and believe not in the world and in its delights therewith. Everything which is seen is temporal, and everything which is unseen is eternal, even as Paul also taught; believe then in God, and hope that everlasting blessing will be given to thee by Him, and let faith be the beginning of the way of thy instruction. If thou believest not in these things which are invisible thou canst not forsake the things which are visible; and if thou believest not that the promise of Christ is sure and also in the blessings which were promised by Him to all those who should go forth after His Gospel, thou wilt not forsake that of which thou hast possession, and wilt not run after the good things which He promised to thee. — 13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 3 -- On Faith
2 Coríntios 4:18
And Paul revealed unto us the greatness of this exchange in one little word, and shewed us how inferior are the things which we have, and how great are those of God in one short verse, saying, "The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are unseen are eternal." Who then would not exchange the things of time for those of eternity, except ourselves, and fools like unto us? — 13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 9 -- Second Discourse on Poverty