Thomas Aquinas

After the Apostle has explained the wicked intention of those who were seducing, here he intimates his own. And first he sets down his own intention; second, he shows the sign of this intention, at the words "by whom the world to me," etc.; third, he assigns the reason for his intention, at the words "in Christ Jesus," etc.

He says therefore: the intention of those seducing is apparent, because they glory in the flesh, but I seek another glory, namely in the cross. And this is what he says: "God forbid that I should glory," etc.

See that where the philosopher of the world blushed, there the Apostle found a treasure. What seemed folly to that one became wisdom and glory to the Apostle, as Augustine says.

For each one glories in that thing by which he is reckoned great. Thus he who reckons himself great in riches glories in them, and so of the others. For he who reckons himself great in nothing else except in Christ, glories in Christ alone. Such, however, was the Apostle. Hence he said above, chapter 2, verse 20: "I live, now not I, but Christ truly lives in me." And therefore he glories in nothing but Christ, but especially in the cross of Christ, and this because in it are found all the things in which men are accustomed to glory.

For some glory in the friendship of great men (say, of kings or princes): and this the Apostle found most of all in the cross, because there is shown an evident sign of divine friendship, Romans 5:8: "But God commends his charity in us," etc. For nothing so shows his charity toward us, as the death of Christ. Hence Gregory: "O inestimable love of charity. That you might redeem a slave, you handed over your Son."

Likewise some glory in knowledge. And this the Apostle found more excellent in the cross. 1 Corinthians 2:2: "For I judged not myself to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ," etc. For in the cross is the perfection of the whole law, and the whole art of living well.

Likewise some glory in power. And this the Apostle had to the greatest degree through the cross. 1 Corinthians 1:18: "The word of the cross is foolishness to those who perish, but to those who are being saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God."

Likewise some glory in liberty obtained. And this the Apostle attained through the cross. Romans 6:6: "Our old man is crucified, that we may no longer serve sin."

Likewise some glory in being taken up into some great college. But through the cross of Christ they are taken up into the heavenly college. Colossians 1:20: "Making peace through the blood of his cross, whether the things that are in the heavens, or the things that are on the earth."

Likewise some glory in the triumphal sign of victory. But the cross is the triumphal sign of Christ's victory against the Demons. Colossians 2:15: "Despoiling the principalities and powers, he confidently led them away, openly triumphing over them," etc. Wisdom 14:7: "Blessed is the wood by which justice is done."

He then adds the sign of his own intention, saying "by whom the world to me," etc. But because what he says, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross," etc., is an exceptive proposition, including one affirmative and another negative, therefore he sets down a twofold sign, proving each proposition.

And first indeed he proves the negative, namely that he glories in nothing but the cross; and this, when he says "by whom the world is crucified to me," etc. For that in which someone glories is not dead in his heart, but rather that which he despises is. Psalm 30:13: "I am given over to oblivion like one dead from the heart." Now it is manifest that the world, and all the things that are in the world, were dead in the heart of Paul, Philippians 3:8: "I have reckoned all things as dung, that I may gain Christ." Therefore he does not glory in the world, nor in the things that are in the world, and this is what he says: truly I glory in nothing else, except in the cross of Christ, "by whom" — namely, by Christ crucified — "the world is crucified to me," that is, it is dead in my heart, so that I desire nothing in it.

Second he proves the affirmative, namely that he glories in the cross of Christ, saying that he is crucified to the world. For he who glories in something, displays that in himself, and desires to make it manifest; but the Apostle displays nothing in himself, nor desires to make anything manifest, except what pertains to the cross of Christ, and therefore he glories only in it. And this is what he says: "and I to the world," namely, I am crucified; as if he were to say: I bear the insignia of the cross, and I am reckoned as dead. And therefore just as the world shudders at the cross of Christ, so it shudders at me. Colossians 3:3: "For you are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God," etc.

But the reason why he does not glory in anything else, he shows by adding "for in Christ Jesus," etc. For indeed he glories most in that which avails and helps toward being joined to Christ, for this is what the Apostle desires, namely, to be with Christ. And because the Jewish rite does not avail for this, nor the observance of the Gentiles, but the cross of Christ alone, therefore he glories only in it. And this is what he says: "in Christ neither circumcision avails anything" — that is, the Jewish rite — "nor uncircumcision" — that is, the observance of the Gentiles — that is, for justifying and joining to Christ, "but a new creature" avails for this.

This indeed is clear from what was said above at verse 6 (in almost the same words): "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith which works through love." Faith, therefore, formed by charity, is the new creature.

For we were created and brought forth into the being of nature through Adam; but that creature indeed was already old, and grown old, and therefore the Lord, bringing us forth, and establishing us in the being of grace, made a certain new creature. James 1:18: "That we may be some beginning of his creature." And it is called new, because through it we are renewed unto a new life; and through the Holy Spirit, Psalm 103:30: "Send forth your Spirit, and they shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth." And through the cross of Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:17: "If there be any new creature in Christ," etc. Thus therefore through the new creature, namely through faith in Christ and the charity of God, which is poured forth in our hearts, we are renewed, and joined to Christ.