Fathers

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What the Fathers say

John 10:35

Eastern Fathers

Athanasius of Alexandria

Christ was not man [first], and then became God. Rather, he was [first] God, and then he became man, and that to deify us. When he became man, he was called Son and God, but before he became man, God had called the ancient people sons. In fact, he made Moses a god to Pharaoh, and Scripture says of many, "God stands in the congregation of gods." Since this is so, it is plain that he is called Son and God later than they are. How then are all things through him, and how is he before everything? …

Discourses Against the Arians 1.11.39 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

His words have this meaning: if those who received deification by grace are gods (Ps. 81:6), and this is not imputed to them as a fault, then what justice is there when you condemn Me, Who am God by nature, Whom the Father sanctified, that is, set apart for sacrifice for the world? For that which is set apart for God is called holy. Clearly, when the Father sanctified Me and appointed Me for the salvation of the world, I am not equal to the other gods, but am the true God. …

Commentary on John ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, If he called them gods to whom the word of God came, he shows the meaning of the authority he cited. This was like saying: He called them gods because they participated in something divine insofar as they participated in God's word, which was spoken to them. For due to God's word a person obtains some participation in the divine power and purity: "You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you" (15:3); and in Exodus (c 34) we read that the face of Moses shone when he heard the words of the Lord. …

Commentary on John ↗

Bonaventure

"If he called them gods, to whom the word of God was made," such as the Prophets and other Saints: Ezekiel one: "And the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest," etc.; "and Scripture cannot be broken," that is, it cannot be charged with falsehood or reproved of blasphemy: Matthew five: "One iota or one tittle shall not pass from the Law, until all things be fulfilled."

Commentary on John, Chapter 10 ↗

Arnobius of Sicca

Do you conceive no anxiety lest you should in something offend the gods themselves, whoever they are, because you believe that it is owing to filthy intercourse that they have reached the light they knew not of, thanks to lewdness? For we, lest any one should chance to think that we are ignorant of, do not know, what befits the majesty of that name, assuredly think that the gods should not know birth; or if they are born at all, we hold and esteem that the Lord and Prince of the universe, by ways which He knew Himself, sent them …

Against the Heathen Book 4 ↗