Speaking about the Kingdom and about witness, Jesus gives the example of a lamp, which has no meaning if it is hidden and made invisible. Of course, there is also here a (not obvious to everyone) polemic with the supporters of a holy war against the Romans, who...
Speaking about the Kingdom and about witness, Jesus gives the example of a lamp, which has no meaning if it is hidden and made invisible. Of course, there is also here a (not obvious to everyone) polemic with the supporters of a holy war against the Romans, who usually acted secretly, striving to prepare the uprising as well as possible in order to come out into the light as triumphant victors on the appointed day. The Kingdom of which Jesus speaks does not need its coming to be prepared by some secret, clandestine organization: it needs witnesses, not conspirators.
But the matter, probably, is not only in this. The matter is also that the Kingdom, if it has become a part of our life, is impossible to hide from those around us. Of course, it all begins by no means publicly, for hearing testimony the way we hear street noise reaching us is not enough. It is not by chance that Jesus says: take heed how you hear. What is heard must be perceived by the heart, it must become the beginning of a spiritual process connected not only with comprehending what was heard, but also with the choice that the one who heard will have to make after considering everything said, and with the decisions that will have to be taken, guided by this choice. All this happens "in secret," for it is about the inner life of a person.
But when the choice has been made, the decisions taken, and life has changed in accordance with them, witness, in one form or another, inevitably becomes a part of this new life of the convert. And then the secret truly becomes manifest: for it is impossible to witness only within oneself. And the witness, being heard, brings forth new witnesses. Thus the Kingdom brought by the Savior grows in the world.
11
11:1 I wish ye would bear - So does he pave the way for what might otherwise have given offence. With my folly - Of commending myself; which to many may appear folly; and really would be so, were it not on this occasion absolutely necessary.
11:2 For - The cause of his seeming folly is expressed in this and the following verse; the cause why they should bear with him, Co2 11:4.
11:3 But I fear - Love is full of these fears. Lest as the serpent - A most apposite comparison. Deceived Eve - Simple, ignorant of evil. By his subtilty - Which is in the highest degree dangerous to such a disposition. So your minds - We might therefore be tempted, even if there were no sin in us. Might be corrupted - Losing their virginal purity. From the simplicity that is in Christ - That simplicity which is lovingly intent on him alone, seeking no other person or thing.
11:4 If indeed - Any could show you another Saviour, a more powerful Spirit, a better gospel. Ye might well bear with him - But this is impossible.
11:6 If I am unskilful in speech - If I speak in a plain, unadorned way, like an unlearned person. So the Greek word properly signifies.