Ambrosiaster : Paul says this because faith is not a matter of compulsion but of free will. — COMMENTARY ON PAUL'S EPISTLES Dionysius of Alexandria : In these things, therefore, let every one who approaches God be of a good conscience, and of a proper confidence, so far as his own judgment is concerned. And I, for my part, have thus set forth my opinions in public, not as a teacher, but only as it becomes us with all simplicity to confer with each other. And when you have examined this opinion of mine, my most intelligent son, you will write back to me your notion of these matters, and let me know whatever may seem to you to be just and preferable, and whether you approve of my judgment in these things. — Containing Various Sections of the Works, Canon IV John Chrysostom : "Not for that we have lordship over your faith." That is, I did not therefore say, "To spare you I came not," as lording it over you. Again, he said not you, but "your faith," which was at once gentler and truer. For him that hath no mind to believe, who hath power to compel? "But are helpers of your joy." For since, saith he, your joy is ours, I came not, that I might not plunge you into sorrow and increase my own despondency; but I stayed away that ye being reformed by the threat might be made glad. For we do every thing in order to your joy, and give diligence in this behalf, because we are ourselves partakers of it. "For by faith ye stand." Behold him again speaking repressedly. For he was afraid to rebuke them again; since he had handled them severely in the former Epistle, and they had made some reformation. And if, now that they were reformed, they again received the same reproof, this was likely to throw them back. Whence this Epistle is much gentler than the former. — Homily 4 on 2 Corinthians Theodore of Mopsuestia : Paul says that he finds no fault with their faith. However, there are some other things which need to be put right, and he is concerned with those. — PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH Theodoret of Cyrus : Paul added this because his authority was evidently what the Corinthians were afraid of. — COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 296