Fathers

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What the Fathers say

1 John 5:4

Eastern Fathers

Oecumenius

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. After he has arranged these things in this way, he adds to what has already been said another thing that leads to the showing of love, what is that? Victory (ὴν νίκην). For John says: you who establish yourselves as sons of God by love for your neighbor, you already have this that accompanies that excellent deed, namely, to conquer the world; For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. …

Commentary on 1 John ↗

Western Saints

Bede

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. Therefore, God's commandments are not heavy because all who devote themselves to them in true devotion equally despise the adversities and blandishments of the world with equal mind, even loving death itself as the entrance to the heavenly homeland. And lest anyone trust that he can overcome the world or its luxuries or labors by his virtue, it is deliberately added:

Commentary on the Catholic Epistles ↗