62. Having explained Paul’s meaning,
let us now consider the words themselves, in what sense he said that he
had delivered him to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, for the
devil it is who tries us. For he brings ailments on each of our
limbs, and sickness on our whole bodies. And then, too, he smote
holy Job with evil sores from the feet to the head, because he had
received the power of destroying his flesh, when God said:
“Behold, I give him up unto thee, only preserve his
life.” Job ii. 6. This the
Apostle took up in the same words, giving up this man to Satan for the
destruction of the flesh, that his spirit might be saved in the day of
our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. v. 5.