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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
Again he calls God to witness, as he had done a little before, at once to increase his disciple's awe, and to secure his safety, and to show that these were not human commandments, that receiving the commandment as from the Lord Himself, and ever bearing in mind the Witness before Whom he heard it, he may have it more fearfully impressed upon his mind. "I charge thee," he says, "before God, Who quickeneth all things." Here is at once consolation in the dangers which awaited him, and a remembrance of the resurrection awakened in him. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Multiplying fear and making the disciple more unwavering, he calls God as witness, showing that these are not human testaments, with the purpose that, having it always in mind, he would by the remembrance of this bring his soul to trembling. "Who gives life to all things." Here is contained encouragement amid dangers and a remembrance of the resurrection; it is as if the apostle says: do not fear death, for you are a servant of God, Who can give life to all things. …
Oecumenius
I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and Christ Jesus, who testified before Pontius Pilate the good confession, to keep the commandment without spot, blameless, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. Again Paul makes God a witness, both increasing the fear and making the disciple more secure, because he has in mind the one who was witnessed. who gives life to all things. This is also a comfort against dangers. For if God, Paul says, gives life to all things, why should we fear the struggles for faith? …
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
Then when he says, I charge you before God, he obliges him to the foregoing under orders: first, he gives the orders; second, he explains something he stated earlier, at which in his times. In the orders first, he brings in witnesses; second, he commends the orders; third, he shows how they are to be kept. As witnesses he calls on God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, he says, I advised you; but lest you suppose that you can act otherwise, I charge you, as you are wont to charge those under you, before God. …
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