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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
Cyril of Alexandria
But the Eunomian Hereticsb say, "How can He be equal to the Father in substance, who is said to increase, as if before imperfect." But not because He is the Word, but because He is made man, He is said to receive increase. For if He really increased after that He was made flesh, as having before existed imperfect, why then do we give Him thanks as having thence become incarnate for us? But how if He is the true wisdom can He be increased, or how can He who gives grace to others be Himself advanced in grace. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
To explain what it means "to increase in wisdom," the Evangelist adds: "and stature," for the increase "in stature" he calls an increase "in wisdom." That is, he did what was pleasing to God and praiseworthy before men; but first he was acceptable before God, and then before men; for one must first please God, and then men.
Western Saints
Bede
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. This passage refutes both the Manichaeans and the Apollinarians alike, showing that the Lord truly had flesh and a true soul. For as stature pertains to the body, so wisdom and favor pertain to the soul. And indeed, it would not have increased in wisdom if it did not have the natural understanding that was granted to humans for the sake of reason. …
Bonaventure
But as to the indication of his own virtue, there is added: And Jesus advanced in age, namely on the part of the body, as Samuel: 1 Kings 2: "The boy Samuel advanced and grew, and was pleasing both to God and to men." And this advancement was according to essence, but the interior advancement was according to evidence, of which it is said: And in wisdom, namely in the intellect, and in grace, in the affections, before God, namely to be honored, and men, to be edified. …
Translation