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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
Theophylact of Ohrid
Since the devil constantly revolves in sin, everyone who sins becomes a partisan of the devil; for the devil initiates sin in a person by suggesting evil thoughts to him, as he did to Judas (John 13:2). Someone may ask: how is the devil in those who sin, when they have already sinned before him by giving him a place? …
Oecumenius
Whoever commits sin is of the Devil, for the Devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose, the Son of God was revealed, that He might destroy the works of the Devil. And just as this is true, so also equally: he who easily sins is from the sinner; however, this one is the Devil, as he who sinned from the beginning. Therefore, God, providing for His creation, became righteousness and sanctification, was revealed or appeared in the world, to take away the works of the Devil, which are sin. …
Clement of Alexandria
"He that does unrighteousness is of the devil," that is, of the devil as his father, following and choosing the same things. "The devil sins from the beginning," he says. From the beginning from which he began to sin, incorrigibly persevering in sinning.
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
"He that doeth sin, is of the devil, because the devil sinneth from the beginning." "Is of the devil:" ye know what he means: by imitating the devil. For the devil made no man, begat no man, created no man: but whoso imitates the devil, that person, as if begotten of him, becomes a child of the devil; by imitating him, not literally by being begotten of him. In what sense art thou a child of Abraham, not that Abraham begat thee? …
Bede
For the devil has been sinning from the beginning. When he mentioned "from the beginning," he added the verb in the present tense, "sins." Because from the beginning when the devil started to sin, he has never ceased, neither restrained by the enormity of present punishments nor the fear of future ones. Therefore, it is said to be justified for anyone who neglects to turn away from sin. But the devil sins from the beginning, from that moment when he himself was made, when also the origin of all creatures began. …
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