Commentary on 2 Corinthians

Jerome (342–420)

The apostle Paul, after describing in a few words the benefits of God, states in conclusion: "And for such offices, who is sufficient?" Whence he also says in another place: "Such is the assurance we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything, as from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God. He also it is who made us fit ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the spirit; for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life." Do we still dare to boast about the free will and treat with insult the benefits of God the Giver, when the chosen vessel [Paul] also writes very clearly: "But we carry this treasure in vessels of clay, to show that the abundance of our power is God's and not ours"?

And this is what the apostle writes in another place: "And yet what was glorified is without glory because of the surpassing glory"; for the justice of the law, to be sure, in comparison with the grace of the gospel would not appear to be justice. "For if that," he says, "which is done away with is glorious, much more will that be glorious which abides."

See also

• More works by Jerome

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