Fathers

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What the Fathers say

2 Corinthians 5:13

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

And if, saith he, we have uttered any great thing, (for this is what he here calls being beside himself, as therefore in other places also he calls it folly) for God's sake we do this, lest ye thinking us to be worthless should despise us and perish; or if again any modest and lowly thing, it is for your sakes that ye may learn to be lowly-minded. Or else, again, he means this. …

Homily 11 on 2 Corinthians ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

If we say something lofty (this is what the apostle calls "being beside ourselves," or, in other places, "madness"), we do this for God, so that you, considering us weak, may not become proud and perish; but if we say something humbly and with self-abasement, we do this for you, so that you may learn to be humble-minded. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Now we must see how he procured their salvation even in the way he taught. Hence he says, for if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. This is explained in two ways: in one way so that the Apostle calls himself transported when he speaks to them by commending himself, and sober when he is not speaking of his own commendation. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗