Fathers

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What the Fathers say

2 Corinthians 3:4

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Yet because it was a great thing he had uttered, he therefore quickly checks himself, saying, "And such confidence have we through Christ to Godward," And again refers all to God: for it is Christ, saith he, Who is the Author of these things to us.

Homily 6 on 2 Corinthians ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Since he showed that the New Testament is above the Old, and it was natural to conclude that we too — the apostles, ministers of the New Testament — are above Moses, who served the Old Testament, but this seemed arrogant, he says: nothing is ours, but our "confidence," that is, our boasting is "in God through Christ." For Christ is the reason that we boast in God, and nothing is ours, not even the slightest thing. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

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. …

Against the Pelagians 3.9 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Above, the Apostle excused himself, that he was not seeking his own glory, because he did not need it; here he proves that he is not seeking his own glory. Indeed, everything good he does he attributes not to himself but to God. In regard to this he does two things: first, he attributes all the good he has and does to God; secondly, he gives the reason for this. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗