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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"Whiles it remained," says he, "was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power?" That is, "Was there any obligation and force? do we constrain you against your will?" "Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God." In the next place, Peter proves him guilty, and shows that the deed was not hidden from him, and then pronounces the sentence. But wherefore, upon what purpose hast thou done this? Didst thou wish to keep it? …
Basil of Caesarea
Peter's words to Sapphira, "How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Ye have not lied unto men, but unto God," show that sins against the Holy Spirit and against God are the same; and thus you might learn that in every operation the Spirit is closely conjoined with, and inseparable from, the Father and the Son. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
And the fact that the believers brought their possessions to the apostles — was this the result of compulsion? Do we really attract you against your will? "Why have you conceived this thing in your heart?" Three miracles in one and the same case: one consisted in the fact that Peter learned what had been done in secret, another — in the fact that he discerned the mental disposition of Ananias, and the third — in the fact that Ananias lost his life by a mere command.
Western Saints
Ambrose of Milan
"Thou hast not lied unto men but unto God": First, we understand that he called the Holy Spirit the Spirit of the Lord. Then, since he mentioned first the Holy Spirit and added: "Thou hast not lied unto men but unto God," you must necessarily either understand the oneness of the Godhead in the Holy Spirit, since when the Holy Spirit is tempted a lie is told to God; or, if you endeavour to exclude the oneness of the Godhead, you yourself according to the words of Scripture certainly believe Him to be God.
Bede
You have not lied to men but to God. Before, he had said he lied to the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is indeed God, and the error of Macedonius was condemned before it existed.
Translation