Fathers

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What the Fathers say

1 Peter 2:12

Eastern Fathers

Theophylact of Ohrid

By "those who slander us" the apostle means the pagans, and by "the day of visitation" he means the inheritance according to the laws of this world. For when they examine our life and find that their notion of us contradicts reality, they themselves reform from their shameful deeds and in this way glorify God.

Commentary on 1 Peter ↗

Clement of Alexandria

Wherefore the wearing of gold and the use of softer clothing is not to be entirely prohibited. But irrational impulses must be curbed, lest, carrying us away through excessive relaxation, they impel us to voluptuousness. For luxury, that has dashed on to surfeit, is prone to kick up its heels and toss its mane, and shake off the charioteer, the Instructor; who, pulling back the reins from far, leads and drives to salvation the human horse-that is, the irrational part of the soul-which is wildly bent on pleasures, and vicious …

The Instructor Book 3 ↗

Polycarp of Smyrna

Stand fast, therefore, in these things, and follow the example of the Lord, being firm and unchangeable in the faith, loving the brotherhood, and being attached to one another, joined together in the truth, exhibiting the meekness of the Lord in your intercourse with one another, and despising no one. …

Epistle to the Philippians 10 ↗

Western Saints

Bede

So that in what they detract from you, etc. It frequently happened that the pagans who disparaged the faith of the Christians, because they had abandoned their gods, later, considering their chaste conduct and unbeaten heart in Christ, would stop maligning them, and rather begin to glorify and praise God, who was proven to be good and just by the goodness and justice of His worshippers. …

Commentary on the Catholic Epistles ↗