( b) διὰ δόξης καὶ ἀτιμίας, διὰ δυσφημίας καὶ εὐφημίας : by glory (cf. John 5:41) and dishonour, by evil report and good report. To misrepresentation and slander St. Paul was much exposed, and he evidently felt it deeply (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:12). (iv.) Finally, he proceeds to specify the charges made against him by his opponents; he can afford to neglect them, inasmuch as in each case they are quite opposed to the real facts. Towards the close he adds one or two antitheses to the list, which may not have been directly suggested by the current calumnies about him, but which are yet quite in keeping with the rest. There are seven antitheses in all. ὡς πλάνοι καὶ ἀληθεῖς : as deceivers (so his opponents said of him, as it was formerly said of his Master, John 7:12; cf. chap. 2 Corinthians 2:17; 2 Corinthians 4:2) and yet true. In the Clementines St. Paul is expressly described by his adversaries as πλάνος and as disseminating deceit (πλάνην).

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Old Testament