"Here (2Co 1:13-14) Paul cuts the root of the envy that his speech might occasion, by making the Corinthians sharers and partners in the glory of his good works. 'For these remain not with us, but pass over to you also, and again from you to us.' For seeing that he had boasted of himself and produced proof of the past and given pledge for the future and lest his hearers should reflect on him for talking proudly, or, as I have said, be hurried into enviousness, he makes the rejoicing a shared one and declares that this crown of praise is also theirs. 'For if,' he says, 'we have shown ourselves to be praiseworthy, our praise is to your glory, just as when you also are honored, we rejoice and leap for joy and are crowned.'

 

"Here he displays his great humility by what he says. For he aims his expressions, not as a master discoursing to disciples, but as a disciple unto fellow-disciples of his own status. Observe how he lifts them and fills them with wisdom to send them on to the day of judgment. For he says, 'Tell me not of the present things, that is, the reproaches, the reviling, or the scoffing of the many. For the things of this life are of no great significance. The good, the painful, the scoffing, and the praises, which come from men in this life, are nothing. Instead, remember that day of fear and shuddering in the which all things are revealed. For then both we shall glory in you, and you in us. Then you shall be seen to have such teachers, who teach no doctrine of men, nor live in wickedness nor give any reason for accusation. Then we shall be seen to have disciples that are not affected after the manner of men, nor shaken, but that take all things with readiness of mind, and are not seduced by clever arguments from whichever side. And this is clear now to those that have understanding, but at the judgment it will be clear to all. So that even if we are afflicted now, we have this not inconsiderable consolation that the conscience affords now, which will be manifested at the judgment.

 

"For our conscience now knows that we do all things by the grace of God, as you also now know and shall know at the judgment. But then, all men as well will learn both our works and yours, and shall behold us glorified through each other. So that he may not appear himself alone to derive luster from this glorying, Paul gives the Corinthians also the reason for his boasting, that is, to lead them away from their present distresses. He did the same thing with respect to consolation when he said, 'If we are comforted, it is for your comfort' (2Co 1:6). So he does also here, saying, 'we boast on your account, as you also on ours,' everywhere making them partakers of everything, of his comfort, his sufferings, and his preservation. For his preservation he ascribes to their prayers. 'For God delivered us, while you were helping together by prayer' (2Co 1:11). Likewise, he shares the boasting. For as in that place he says, 'Knowing that you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer' (2Co 1:6), so here too, 'You will boast of us as we will boast of you' (2Co 1:14)."