John Chrysostom : And he himself again, along with them, sends up thanksgiving, saying, "Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift." And here he calls "gift," even those so many good things which are wrought by almsgiving, both to them that receive and them that give; or else, those unspeakable good things which through His advent He gave unto the whole world with great munificence, which one may suspect to be the most probable. For that he may at once both sober, and make them more liberal, he puts them in mind of the benefits they had received from God. For this avails very greatly in inciting unto all virtue; and therefore he concluded his discourse with it. But if His Gift be unspeakable, what can match their frenzy who raise curious questions as to His Essence? But not only is His Gift unspeakable, but that "peace" also "passeth all understanding," (Philippians chapter 4, verse 7) whereby He reconciled the things which are above with those which are below. — Homily 20 on 2 Corinthians Sahdona the Syrian : We should be discerning and aware of the grace that has been effected in us, giving thanks for it to the Maker, praising God for this great and "ineffable gift" to us. We should put aside from ourselves any hateful habits of slackness and neglect which only destroy our lives; instead, we should persevere from the beginning to the end of the times of our offices. And we should behave with all the greater awe and love during the great and perfect mysteries of our salvation, standing firmly before God continually with wakefulness of heart in spiritual service, resembling servants who are eagerly at the ready to serve their master. — BOOK OF PERFECTION Theodoret of Cyrus : It is Paul's custom to praise God every time he expounds some divine dispensation or other. — COMMENTARY ON THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 336