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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the Gospel of Christ." Do you see, how all that he has said, tends to turn them to this one thing, advancement in virtue? "Only let your manner of life be worthy of the Gospel of Christ." What means this word "only," but that this, and nought else, is the only thing we should seek? If we have this, nothing grievous will befall us. "That whether I come and see you, or be absent, I may hear of your state." This he says not as if he had changed his purpose, and no longer meant to visit them. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
I only require this of you: that you make progress in virtue. He lives worthy of the Gospel who has denied himself, taken up the cross, and followed Christ. He says this not because he changed his desire and as if he no longer intends to come to them. But if, he says, by some chance I did not come, then I can even while absent rejoice in your life according to the Gospel. Therefore do not lose heart if I do not come, but be vigilant, since I will certainly find out how you conduct yourselves. …
Polycarp of Smyrna
Knowing, then, that "God is not mocked," we ought to walk worthy of His commandment and glory. In like manner should the deacons be blameless before the face of His righteousness, as being the servants of God and Christ, and not of men. They must not be slanderers, double-tongued, or lovers of money, but temperate in all things, compassionate, industrious, walking according to the truth of the Lord, who was the servant of all. …
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
Then when he says, only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, he shows what is required on their part. He says that the only thing required of them is that they live worthy of the gospel of Christ, in a manner that conforms to that gospel: "We exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory" (1 Thess. 2:12); "To lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him" (Col. 1:10). …
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