Homilies on Second Corinthians

Therefore that ye abound in every thing; in faith and utterance, and knowledge, and in all earnestness.

See again his exhortation accompanied with commendations, greater commendations. And he said not, 'that you give,' but “that you abound; in faith,” namely, of the gifts, and “in utterance,” the word of wisdom, and “knowledge,” namely, of the doctrines, and “in all earnestness,” to the attaining of all other virtue.

“And in your love,” that, namely of which I have before spoken, of which I have also made proof.

“That ye may abound in this grace also.” Do you see that for this reason it was that he began by those praises, that advancing forward he might draw them on to the same diligence in these things also.