That's not what I was belittling. :D
You forgot to commend me for at least coming up to your standards and emulating Paul. Or did you miss that? :D
You wrote: "...without [tears], you can almost assuredly not be a soul-winner."
A "soul winner"? There is no such thing. There are only "seed planters" and "seed waterers". If there's going to be any "growth", that is totally God's doing.
I'm sorry if the language of Scripture is not acceptable to you.
Prov. 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
You must discount a great many verses of Scripture to discount the work of man in saving others.
1 Tim. 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1 Cor. 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
In fact, the witness of individuals to other individuals is God's chosen way to save men.
1 Cor. 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
In case you have mistaken "preaching" with what is done by those professional religious orators who call themselves preachers, notice the wonderful example of preaching from Acts:
Acts 8:34-35 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
One on one. This is all I mean by "soul winning." The Bible calls those who do this wise. And, of the wise it says, "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." (Daniel 12:3) Now if there is no such thing as a soul-winner, who are, "they that turn many to righteousness?"
You may call them "seed planters," and "seed waterers," if you like. And it is certainly true only God can give the increase. (That's true of farmers, also, of course. We can plant and water our gardens, but if God does not bless them, we will all starve.) God and the Bible call those who plant the seed of God's word, and water it with their tears, soul-winners. "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." (Psalms 126:5-6)
Hank