Ambrosiaster : If the righteousness of a man who gives to the poor endures forever, how much more will this be true of a man who gives to the saints. For the poor are obvious to all, but the saints are known only to those who can discern them, for they are servants of God who are constant in prayer and fasting and who lead a pure life. — COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES Cyprian : Also in the same place: "As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever." — Treatise XII Three Books of Testimonies Against the Jews John Chrysostom : Then he brings forward unto them the prophet for a counsellor, having sought out a testimony inviting them to bountifulness, and says, "As it is written, He hath scattered abroad, he hath given to the poor; His righteousness abideth for ever." This is the import of "abound;" for the words, "he hath dispersed abroad," signify nothing else but the giving plentifully. For if the things themselves abide not, yet their results abide. For this is the thing to be admired, that when they are kept they are lost; but when dispersed abroad they abide, yea, abide for ever. Now by "righteousness," here, he means love towards men. For this maketh righteous, consuming sins like a fire when it is plentifully poured out. — Homily 19 on 2 Corinthians Theodoret of Cyrus : Paul adds the prophetic testimony which shows that indifference to money is the beginning of eternal life. — COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 335