As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
Ver. 10. As sorrowful, yet, &c.] God's works are usually done in oppositis mediis, in opposing means, as Luther said. Out of the eater he brings meat, &c. This riddle the world understands not. The Fathers observe here, that the apostle brings in the saints' sorrow with a quasi, as if it were a sorrow in show or conceit only; but when he speaks of their joy, there is no such quasi.
Yet possessing all things] Godliness hath an αυταρκεια, a self-sufficiency,1 Timothy 6:6. Cui cum paupertate bene convenit, pauper non est, saith Seneca. A contented man cannot be a poor man especially if a godly man; for what reason? the Father (that Ancient of days) filleth his memory; the Son (the wisdom of the Father) filleth his understanding; the Holy Ghost the Comforter filleth his will; and so he must needs have all that thus hath the haver of all.