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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
Now then, after giving them due exhortation, He refreshes them again with praises. As thus: the injunctions being high, and far surpassing those in the Old Testament; lest they should be disturbed and confounded, and say, How shall we be able to achieve these things? hear what He saith: Ye are the salt of the earth. Implying, that of absolute necessity He enjoins all this. For not for your own life apart, saith He, but for the whole world, shall your account be. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Ye are the salt of the earth. The prophets were sent to one race only, but you are the salt of the whole earth. By your teachings and reproofs you act as an astringent upon the slack and the indolent, so that they will not breed the worms that never die. So do not desist from your astringent reproofs, even if you are reviled or persecuted. Therefore He says: But if the salt has lost its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot by men. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
Persecuted He says generally, comprehending both reproaches and defamation of character. (Serm. in Mont. i. 6.) If you by whom the nations are to be salted shall lose the kingdom of heaven through fear of temporal persecution, who are they by whom your error shall be corrected. …
Jerome
You are the salt of the earth. The apostles are called salt because through them the entire human race is season 25 Quod si sal evannerit, in quo salietur? Si doctor erraverit, a quo alio doctore emendabitur? It is worthless beyond nothingness, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. An example is taken from agriculture. For salt, indeed, as a condiment for foods, and for drying meats, it is necessary, but it has no other use. …
Gregory the Dialogist
Therefore we must consider that, insofar as each person is able, insofar as he is capable, he should strive to impress upon the Church entrusted to him both the terror of the coming judgment and the sweetness of the kingdom. And he who cannot admonish everyone at once with one and the same voice of exhortation ought to instruct individuals as much as he can, to edify them through private conversations, and to seek fruit in the hearts of his children through simple exhortation. …
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