sakes. Thus it is a matter of retribution, not of favor. On the part of God it was grace, for
He having received no previous benefit, hath done us good: but on our parts it is retribution,
we having previously received benefits from God, suffer for these, for whom we suffer, in
order “that they may obtain salvation.” What sayest thou? What salvation? Art thou who
wast not the author of salvation to thyself, but wast destroying thyself, art thou the author
of salvation to others? Surely not, and therefore he adds, “salvation that is in Christ Jesus”;
that which is truly salvation, “with eternal glory.” Present things are afflictive, but they are
but on earth. Present things are ignominious, but they are temporary. They are full of bitter-
ness and pain; but they last only to-day and to-morrow.
Such is not the nature of the good things, they are eternal, they are in heaven. That is
true glory, this is dishonor.
490
Moral. For observe, I pray, beloved, that is not glory which is on earth, the true glory is
in heaven. But if any one would be glorified, let him be dishonored. If he would obtain rest,
let him suffer affliction. If any one would be forever illustrious, would enjoy pleasure, let
him despise temporal things. And that dishonor is glory, and glory dishonor, let us now set
before us to the best of our power, that we may see what is real glory. It is not possible to be
glorified upon earth; if thou wouldest be glorified, it must be through dishonor. And let us
prove this in the examples of two persons, Nero and Paul. The one had the glory of this
world, the other the dishonor. How? The first was a tyrant, had obtained great success, had
raised many trophies, had wealth ever flowing in, numerous armies everywhere; he had the
greater part of the world and the imperial city subject to his sway, the whole senate
crouching to him, and his palace too1360 was advancing with splendid show. When he must
be armed, he went forth arrayed in gold and precious stones. When he was to sit still in
peace, he sat clothed in robes of purple. He was surrounded by numerous guards and attend-
ants. He was called Lord of land and sea, Emperor,1361 Augustus, Cæsar, King, and other
such high-sounding names as implied1362 flattery and courtship; and nothing was wanting
that might tend to glory. Even wise men and potentates and sovereigns trembled at him.
For beside all this, he was said to be a cruel and violent man. He even wished to be thought
a god, and he despised both all the idols, and the very God Who is over all. He was worshiped
as a god. What greater glory than this? Or rather what greater dishonor? For—I know not
how—my tongue is carried away by the force of truth, and passes sentence before judgment.
Meanwhile let us examine the matter according to the opinion of the multitude, and of un-
believers, and the estimation of flattery.
1360 One suspects the stops. Read, “and the palace itself, He walked in splendid attire.”
1361 Αὐτοκράτωρ.
1362 Gr. “devised,” whence it seems that “flattery,” &c. should be in the nominative.
847
2 Timothy 2:1-7