Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Romans 12:8

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation." And this is a species of teaching too. For "if ye have any word of exhortation," it says, "speak unto the people." Then to show that it is no great good to follow after virtue unless this is done with the proper rule, he proceeds, "He that giveth, let him do it with simplicity." For it is not enough to give, but we must do it with munificence also, for this constantly answereth to the name of simplicity. …

Homily on Romans 21 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Exhortation is a form of teaching. For teaching is generally called reasoning about any subject, while exhortation is properly when someone calms with a word souls disturbed by grief or anger. So, he says, let the exhorter remain in exhortation, doing his own work, and not exalt himself above another. Having spoken about teaching and exhortation, that is, about what pertains to the care of souls, he now speaks about the bodily, as occupying second place. …

Commentary on Romans ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

With respect to practical knowledge he says: he who exhorts, i.e., has the office and grace of exhorting, let him use it in exhorting: our appeal does not spring from error or uncleanness, nor is it made with guile (1 Thess 2:3); declare these things; exhort with all authority (Titus 2:15). Then he mentions those that pertain to external works in which a person sometimes helps another by giving a gift. …

Commentary on Romans ↗