Fathers

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What the Fathers say

2 Corinthians 5:19

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Seest thou love surpassing all expression, all conception? Who was the aggrieved one? Himself. Who first sought the reconciliation? Himself. And yet, saith one, He sent the Son, He did not come Himself. The Son indeed it was He sent; still not He alone besought, but both with Him and by Him the Father; wherefore he said, that, "God was reconciling the world unto Himself in Christ:" that is, by Christ. …

Homily 11 on 2 Corinthians ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

He stated that the Father reconciled us to Himself. Lest anyone should say: but He sent the Son? – he now says that although He sent the Son, nevertheless, it is not the Son alone who calls, but also the Father, who reconciles the world to Himself through Christ – for this is what "in Christ" means – and who showed such goodness to people that He not only did not punish them, but also reconciled them to Himself, and not only forgave them, but did not even impute their sins to them. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗

Methodius of Olympus

"Cod was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them."

Methodius Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, that is, he explains what he has said. First, the first thing; secondly, the second (v. 19b). He says therefore: I say that God reconciled us to himself in this way. For there were enmities between God and man on account of sin, as has been said: "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God" (Is. 59:2). Therefore, sin being destroyed by the death of Christ, the enmities were dissolved. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗