Weakness And Glory

Habentes autem thesaurum hunc in vasis fictilibus; ut excellentia sit virtutis Dei, et non ex nobis. Thesaurum sacramentum significavit Dei in Christo, quod credentibus manifestatur, incredulis vero quodam tectum est velamine; quia sicut thesaurus in occulto ponitur, ita et sacramenta Dei intra hominem, id est, in corde humano absconditur. Hunc ergo thesaurum in animo et corpore dicit esse a Deo datum, ut eminentia virtutis ejus appareat per homines praedicatores dumtaxat; ut reconcilietur omnis lingua Creatori suo, non ad honorificentiam hominum, sed Dei, qui se manifestat per homines: qui cum humiles et imperiti essent, acceperunt potestatem a Deo et loquendi magnalia, et agendi. Fictilia ergo vasa dicens, infirmitatem naturae humanae significat, quae nihil potest, nisi a Deo acciperet virtutem, et ad laudem suam Deus per haec se praedicet, quae infirma sunt; ut gloria illi detur, non homini, qui ex luto fictus est. Ambrosiaster, In Epistolam Beati Pauli Ad Corinthios Secundum, Caput IV Source: Migne PL 17.290b-d

Having even this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the virtue be God's and not from us.' 1 He means the treasure of the mystery of God in Christ, which is manifested by the faithful, though over unbelievers there is covering and a veil, because as a treasure is placed in a hidden place, so even the mystery of God in a man, that is, it is hidden in the human heart. Therefore he says that this treasure in the soul and body is given by God, that the glory of His virtue may appear through the preaching of men, that every tongue may be reconciled to its Creator, not for the honour of men, but of God, who manifests Himself through men, men who when they were humble and simple received the power of God and were able to speak and do wondrous things. So he speaks of an earthen vessel, signifying the infirmity of human nature, which can do nothing, unless it receives power from God, 2 and God to His own praise by this preaches Himself, through weakness, that glory might by given to Him, and not man, who is fashioned from mud. Ambrosiaster, Commentary On The Second Letter of Saint Paul To The Corinthians, Chapter 4 1 2 Cor 4.7 2 Jn 15.5