1 Corinthians 16:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The evil demon is never so enraged as when he sees many of his vessels being plundered. Therefore, when we wish to accomplish something great and noble, let us look not at the many labors involved, but at its profit. See how Paul does not lose courage or flee because there are many adversaries. He remains and strains every power, because the door was great. This, as I said, was a sign that the devil was being disarmed. One who has done something small and insignificant cannot provoke this evil beast. Therefore do not marvel when you see a righteous man, engaged in great struggles, suffer many afflictions. The opposite would be worthy of wonder: that the devil, often struck down, should remain quiet and meekly endure the wounds inflicted on him. It is no wonder if a serpent, receiving constant blows, grows fierce and attacks the one who strikes it. The devil crawls and rages against all more viciously than any serpent. He attacks with his sting raised, like a scorpion. This must not trouble us. One who returns from war after battle and victory must necessarily be covered with blood, and often wounded. So when you see someone giving alms and doing many other good works, thereby crushing the devil’s power, yet suffering temptations and afflictions, do not be troubled. He suffers temptations precisely because he strikes the devil powerfully. But why, you ask, does God permit this? So that the man may be worthy of greater crowns, and the devil may receive a stronger blow. Truly, when a man does good, suffers evil, and gives thanks to God for all things, then the devil is struck down. It is a great thing to be merciful and virtuous when circumstances are favorable. But it is far greater not to abandon good works in the midst of afflictions. In the latter case, a man acts truly for God. Therefore, beloved, whether we are in danger or suffer anything grievous, let us undertake the struggles of virtue with still greater zeal. The time of recompense has not yet come. Let us not seek crowns here, lest our reward be diminished when the crowns are given. Among craftsmen, those who work at their own expense receive greater pay. Those who live at the expense of the one who hired them receive much less. So too among the saints, the one who does much good and endures much evil receives a full reward and a far greater recompense. He is rewarded not only for the good he has done, but also for the evil he has endured. But one who enjoys himself here, living in pleasure and luxury, receives crowns there that are not so radiant. Therefore let us not seek recompense here. Rather, let us rejoice especially when we suffer evil while doing good. There God prepares for us a reward, not only for good works, but also for the temptations endured. To make this clearer, let us imagine two rich men, both merciful and both giving to the poor. Then let one retain his wealth and enjoy complete prosperity. Let the other fall into poverty, sickness, and misfortunes, while still giving thanks to God. When they depart from here, which of them will receive the greater reward? Is it not plainly the one who suffered sicknesses and sorrows? For in prosperity and in misfortune alike, he did not fall into human weaknesses. Beyond doubt, he will. Such a man is truly an adamantine pillar, a faithful servant. If every good thing must be done not for the kingdom, but for God’s will, which is greater than any kingdom, what will befall the one who neglects virtue because he receives no recompense for it here? Therefore let us not be troubled when we see someone who protected widows and often entertained the poor lose his house to fire, or suffer some other misfortune of this kind. He will receive a reward for that also. Job is admired not so much for his almsgiving as for the sufferings that followed. His friends are condemned and counted worthless because they demanded recompense in this present life, and therefore judged the righteous man unjustly. Therefore, when we endure poverty and destitution, let us not seek recompense in this life. It is utterly shameful to seek earthly goods when heaven and the goods above heaven have been set before us. Let us not act in this way. Whatever unexpected event meets us, let us continually turn to God and follow blessed Paul. Let us make in our house a little chest for the poor. Let it stand near the place where you stand for prayer. Whenever you approach prayer, first place alms in it, and then send up your prayer. Just as you do not begin prayer without washing your hands, so do not begin it without alms. To put alms there is no less than to hang the Gospel near your bed. If you hang up the Gospel and do nothing yourself, you will not gain so much benefit. But by making such a chest, you have a weapon against the devil. You give wings to your prayer and sanctify your house, preserving in it the King’s food. Let this chest stand by your bed, and your night will be without fantasies. Only put nothing in it from unjust gains. Your work is almsgiving, and almsgiving cannot come from hardness of heart. Do you wish me also to show you the sources from which to draw such offerings, so that they may become easy? A craftsman, for example a shoemaker, leatherworker, coppersmith, or any other artisan, should bring the firstfruits of the price to God when he sells something from his craft. Let him set aside some small part there, and share this small part with God. I do not ask much. I ask that we set aside as much as the sons of Judah offered, though they were filled with countless evils. Let us who await heaven set aside at least as much. I do not establish this as a law. I do not forbid setting aside more. I only ask that it be no less than a tenth. Do the same not only when selling, but also when buying. Let landowners observe the same rule when gathering income from their fields. Let all who acquire possessions righteously do the same. I do not speak of moneylenders, nor of soldiers who oppress others and grow rich from another’s misfortunes. God will accept nothing from them. I speak of people who gather property by righteous labors. If we become established in this habit, then conscience will rebuke us as soon as we fail to keep this rule. When we have learned by experience that this work is not difficult, we shall gradually pass to higher virtues. Having learned to despise wealth and having torn out the root of evils within ourselves, we shall pass the present life in peace. We shall also attain the life to come. May we all be counted worthy of it by the grace and love for mankind of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father, together with the Holy Spirit, be glory, dominion, and honor, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Many opponents of Christianity found an instrument in the silversmith Demetrius. The Apostle hastened to the Corinthians, spent the winter with them, and then hurried to Jerusalem with their alms (Acts 20:16).

Concerning the last words of verse 9, Saint John Chrysostom asks, “If the door is great, whence come the adversaries? There are many adversaries precisely because the faith is great, and many are ready to receive the faith.

The evil demon never rages so fiercely as when he sees many of his vessels being plundered. Therefore, when we wish to accomplish something great and excellent, let us look not at the many labors it presents, but at its profit.”

The devil then breathed powerful malice, seeing that many were falling away from him. Therefore Paul had to remain there for two reasons: because the profit was great, and because the struggle was great.

With such words he also encouraged the Corinthians, telling them that at last the word was active everywhere and readily growing. The fact that there were many opponents also signifies the success of the Gospel preaching.

The evil demon never rages so fiercely as when he sees many of his vessels being plundered. Therefore, when we wish to accomplish something great and excellent, let us look not at the many labors it presents, but at its profit.

And see how Paul does not lose courage and does not flee because there are many opponents. Rather he remains and strains his powers, because the door was great.

For this, as I have said, was a sign that the devil was being stripped bare. One who has done something small and insignificant cannot provoke that evil beast.

Therefore do not be surprised when you see a righteous man, accomplishing great struggles, suffer many afflictions. Rather, one would have to marvel at the opposite.

It would be astonishing if the devil, after being often struck, remained quiet and meekly endured the wounds inflicted on him. It is no wonder if a serpent, receiving continual blows, becomes fierce and rushes at the one striking it.

But the devil crawls and rages against all, more wickedly than any serpent. He attacks with his sting thrust forward, like a scorpion.”