Thomas Aquinas Commentary 2 Corinthians 4:11-15

"For we who live are always delivered unto death for Jesus` sake, that the life also of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you. But having the same spirit of faith, according to that which is written, I believed, and therefore did I speak; we also believe, and therefore also we speak; knowing that he that raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things [are] for your sakes, that the grace, being multiplied through the many, may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of God." — 2 Corinthians 4:11-15 (ASV)

Having mentioned the patience of the apostles in the midst of evils and revealed the cause of that patience, the Apostle now explains these points. First, he explains what he said about the hope of glory; secondly, what he said about his own patience (2 Corinthians 4:16). Regarding the first point, he does two things. First, he shows the hope of glory that he has; secondly, he shows the source of this hope (2 Corinthians 4:13).

Regarding the first point, he does three things. First, he shows how he bears the dying of Jesus in his body; secondly, how he bears the life of Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:11b); thirdly, what he and others have obtained from this (2 Corinthians 4:12). He says, therefore: I say that we bear the death of Jesus in our bodies—not so that we might die, but because while we live with bodily life and strength, we are always being given up to death or the dangers of death. This is for Jesus’ sake, as it is written: “We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter” (Psalms 44:22).

How we carry the life of Jesus in our body is explained when he says it is so that the immortal and incorruptible life of Jesus may be revealed in our now-mortal flesh. This is so that our mortal flesh may put on immortality at the resurrection: “This mortal nature must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:53). The result of this is mentioned when he continues: so death is at work in us—that is, it exercises its sway—but life, namely, the present one, works in you, because you live in prosperity. As the Apostle says elsewhere, “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong” (1 Corinthians 4:10).

Furthermore, death works a great good in us: the attainment of spiritual life. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints” (Psalms 116:15). But the earthly life that you love works a great evil in you: eternal death. “The wage of the righteous leads to life, the gain of the wicked to sin” (Proverbs 10:16). And, “He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25).

Alternatively, consider that there were two things in Christ: bodily death and spiritual life. The Apostle says, therefore, so death is at work in us. It is as if he is saying: Not only does spiritual life work in us as we imitate Him spiritually, but death is also at work. That is, because of the hope of the resurrection and for the love of Christ, the marks of Christ’s death appear in us, as we are exposed to the sufferings of death: “For your sake we are slain all the day long” (Psalms 44:22). But in you, only the life of Christ works, through which faith and spiritual life are planted in you.

Then, in 2 Corinthians 4:13, the Apostle shows how he acquired this hope of certainty. Regarding this, he does two things. First, he states the cause of this certainty; secondly, he draws the conclusion of certainty itself (in 2 Corinthians 4:14).

The cause of this certainty is the Spirit instilling faith into their hearts. Therefore, he first mentions this cause and secondly, explains it with an example (from 2 Corinthians 4:13b). He says, therefore, that the reason we hope and do not faint is that we have the same spirit of faith that the ancients had. Although the times have changed, the Spirit and the faith have not, except that they believed the Christ would come and suffer, whereas we believe that He has already come and suffered. This Spirit is the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of faith: “All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11).

Therefore, having this same Spirit that the ancients had, we do the same things they did: we believe. What they did is described in Psalm 116:10: “I believed.” This means they believed God perfectly. This is what the ancients did: “And all these, though well attested by their faith, did not receive what was promised” (Hebrews 11:39). And so, because of believing, I spoke—that is, I confessed the faith: “For man believes with his heart and so is justified, and he confesses with his lips and so is saved” (Romans 10:10). We do this as well, because since we believe, we also speak, confessing and preaching the faith: “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). Therefore, the Holy Spirit is the cause of this certainty.

Finally, therefore, he reaches the intended conclusion: certainty itself. He addresses this first, in regard to his own salvation, and secondly, in regard to the salvation of others (in 2 Corinthians 4:14b). He says, therefore, that we act this way knowing—that is, having certain knowledge—that He who raised Jesus (meaning God the Father or the entire Trinity) will also raise us with Jesus. This is so we may put on the same glory as Jesus, because since we are His members, we should be with the Head: “Where I am, there shall my servant be also” (John 12:26); and “He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit which dwells in you” (Romans 8:11).

And I am certain not only of our salvation but of yours also, because He will bring us with you—that is, we will be together. For just as we are members of Christ, so are you, through our ministry. “And so we shall always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:17); “Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together” (Matthew 24:28). Therefore, he says, with you, to urge them to good, showing that they are not inferiors but equals.

And I can say this with certainty because all things are for your benefit. For all things—the sufferings we endure, the graces we receive from God—are for your sake, so that you may be instructed by our example. This is so that as grace extends from us to you and then to more and more people, it may increase thanksgiving to the glory of God. That is, so that many may thank God for so great a favor: “Always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father” (Ephesians 5:20).