Rursus ad Corinth iOS scribens: "Si enim decies mille paedagogos "inquit, "habeatis in Christo, sed non multos patres. In Christo enim per Evangelium ego vosgenui.".
For some procreate by the body, others by the soul; "since also with the barbarian philosophers to teach and enlighten is called to regenerate; and "I have begotten you in Jesus Christ"
Paul is not claiming any dignity here, but rather he is showing the depth of his love. Dignity belongs to the teacher, but love is the mark of the father.
4. For though, says he, you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers. He is not here setting forth his dignity, but the exceeding greatness of his love. Thus neither did he wound the other teachers: since he adds the clause, in Christ: but rather soothed them, designating not as parasites but as tutors those among them who were zealous and patient of labor: and also manifested his own anxious care of them. On this account he said not, Yet not many masters, but, not many fathers. So little was it his object to set down any name of dignity, or to argue that of him they had received the greater benefit: but granting to the others the great pains they had taken for the Corinthians, (for that is the force of the word Tutor,) the superiority in love he reserves for his own portion: for that again is the force of the word Father.
And he says not merely, No one loves you so much; a statement which admitted not of being called in question; but he also brings forward a...
And not men promiscuously; thus exhibiting to us those who were the children of men truly so called, choice men, apostles. "For "says he, "I have begotten you through the gospel; ".
Grant, now, that Abraham is our father; grant, too, that Paul is. "In the Gospel "says he, "I have begotten you."
