Fathers

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What the Fathers say

1 Corinthians 16:22

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"If any man love not our Lord Jesus Christ, let him be anathema." By this one word he strikes fear into all: those who made their members the members of an harlot; those who put stumbling blocks in the way of their brethren by the things offered in sacrifice unto idols; those who named themselves after men; those who refuse to believe the resurrection. And he not only strikes fear, but also points out the way of virtue and the fountain of vice, viz. …

Homily on 1 Corinthians 44 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

By this one word he struck fear into all — the fornicators, the dissenters, those who consumed food offered to idols, those who disbelieved in the resurrection, and in general all among them who conducted themselves contrary to his teaching and tradition. For all such people do not love the Lord. "Maranatha," that is, the Lord has come. …

Commentary on 1 Corinthians ↗

Ignatius of Antioch

Ye have been the disciples of Paul and Peter; do not lose what was committed to your trust. Keep in remembrance Euodias, your deservedly-blessed pastor, into whose hands the government over you was first entrusted by the apostles. Let us not bring disgrace upon our Father. Let us prove ourselves His true-born children, and not bastards. Ye know after what manner I have acted among you. The things which, when present, I spoke to you, these same, when absent, I now write to you. …

Epistle of Pseudo-Ignatius to the Antiochians ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Secondly, he set down the greeting itself, in which first, he speaks evil to evil ones, saying, if anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed, i.e., separated or excommunicated; maranatha, i.e., may the Lord come! As if to say: whoever does not love the Lord Jesus Christ is cursed at the coming of the Lord. But should all be excommunicated who are not in charity? …

Commentary on 1 Corinthians ↗

Bernard of Clairvaux

"If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus, let him be anathema." Truly, I ought to love the one through whom I have my being, my life, my understanding. If I am ungrateful, I am unworthy too. Lord Jesus, whoever refuses to live for you is clearly worthy of death, and is in fact dead already. Whoever does not know you is a fool. And whoever wants to become something without you, without doubt that man is considered nothing and is just that. For what is man, unless you take notice of him? …

Sermons on the Song of Songs, Sermon 20 ↗