Commentary on 2 Corinthians

Pelagius

People ask why it is that Paul puts his own name first, when the normal custom in letters is to put the name of the addressee at the beginning. The reason for this is that he is an apostle who is writing to those who are accountable to him. This is why he adopts the custom of secular judges, who do the same thing when they write to those over whom they exercise authority. Note too that he did not say "Paul and Timothy," because they were not both apostles. But in writing to the Philippians Paul did say that, because it was not so necessary for him to stress his authority in that case..

Paul recounts his own sufferings so that the Corinthians will realize that what they are going through is nothing by comparison. The disciple who grieves over his own hurt will be comforted when he sees that his master is suffering far more.

Death itself teaches us that all human help is inadequate and that our only hope is to rely on him who can raise us from the dead.

Through your love the offender will know that he has received forgiveness.

Paul calls the knowledge of God an aroma. Its presence is sensed rather than seen.

See also

• More works by Pelagius

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