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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"And I became," says he, "to the Jews as a Jew, that I might gain Jews." And how did this take place? When he circumcised that he might abolish circumcision. Wherefore he said not, "a Jew," but, "as a Jew," which was a wise arrangement. What sayest thou? The herald of the world and he who touched the very heavens and shone so bright in grace, doth he all at once descend so low? Yea. For this is to ascend. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
For example, when he circumcised Timothy (Acts 16:3). He did not say: a Jew, but: "as" a Jew, to show that this was done with a special purpose. We understand proselytes, or those of the Jews who believed but still held to the law. This was when he shaved his head (Acts 18:18), when he offered a sacrifice according to the rite of purification (Acts 21:26). He did this with a special purpose and for appearance's sake, in order to correct those who did this out of conviction.
Clement of Alexandria
"For not only for the Hebrews and those that are under the law "according to the apostle, "is it right to become a Jew, but also a Greek for the sake of the Greeks, that we may gain all.". Also in the Epistle to the Colossians he writes, "Admonishing every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ.". Let a man milk the sheep's milk if he need sustenance: let him shear the wool if he need clothing. And in this way let me produce the fruit of the Greek erudition. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
You do not require me to teach you in what sense the apostle says, "To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews," and other such things in the same passage, which are to be ascribed to the compassion of pitying love, not the artifices of intentional deceit. For he that ministers to the sick becomes as if he were sick himself; not, indeed, falsely pretending to be under the fever, but considering, with the mind of one truly sympathizing, what he would wish done for himself if he were in the sick man's place. …
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