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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"Desiring to be teachers of the law." Here we see another cause of evil, the love of power. Wherefore Christ said, "Be not ye called Rabbi" (Matt. xxiii. 8); and the Apostle again, "For neither do they keep the law, but that they may glory in your flesh." (Gal. vi. 13.) They desire preeminence, he means, and on that account disregard truth. "Understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm." Here he censures them, because they know not the end and aim of the Law, nor the period for which it was to have authority. …
Athanasius of Alexandria
It is encouraging to the faithful but distressing to the heretical to see these heresies overthrown. Moreover, their further question, "whether the Unoriginated be one or two," shows how false are their views, how treacherous and full of guile. It is not for the Father's honor that they say this but for the dishonor of the Word. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
That is, suffering from love of power and passion for glory. They would not have been such, if they had love and faith. Here he accuses them of knowing neither the purpose of the law nor the time until which it was destined to hold sway. But perhaps they sinned out of ignorance, and therefore do not deserve condemnation? No! Their ignorance arose from love of power and from the fact that they had no love. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
Let us, then, love not ourselves, but Him; and in feeding His sheep, let us be seeking the things which are His, not the things which are our own. For in some inexplicable way, I know not what, every one that loveth himself, and not God, loveth not himself; and whoever loveth God, and not himself, he it is that loveth himself. For he that cannot live by himself will certainly die by loving himself; he therefore loveth not himself who loves himself to his own loss of life. …
Thomas Aquinas
Then when he says, desiring to be teachers of the law, he describes the condition of those who teach false things: first, their restless ambition; second, their shortcomings. In regard to the first he says, desiring to be teachers of the law: they love the first place at feasts; and to be called by men, Rabbi (Matt 23:6); do not be many masters (Jas 3:1). …
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