Fathers

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What the Fathers say

1 Timothy 4:1

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

As those who adhere to the faith are fixed on a safe anchor, so those who fall from the faith can nowhere rest; but after many wanderings to and fro, they are borne at last into the very gulf of perdition. And this he had shown before, saying, that some had "already made shipwreck concerning the faith," and now he says, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits." This is said of the Manichaeans, the Encratites, and the Marcionites, and the whole of …

Homily on 1 Timothy 12 ↗

Athanasius of Alexandria

Wherefore it becomes us to watch, lest some deception be conveyed under the clothing of their phrases, and they lead away certain from the true faith. And if they venture to advance the opinions of Arius, when they see themselves proceeding in a prosperous course, nothing remains for us but to use great boldness of speech, remembering the predictions of the Apostle, which he wrote to forewarn us of such like heresies, and which it becomes us to repeat. …

To The Bishops Of Egypt 2.20 ↗

Cyril of Jerusalem

That the Holy Spirit subsists, lives, speaks and foretells I have told you repeatedly on former occasions. Paul writes clearly to Timothy, "Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith." This we see in the factions of former times and in our own day. How diverse and multiform are the errors of the heretics.

Catechetical Lecture 17:33 ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

Assuredly there are predictions of the Manichaeans, less clear in the prophets, and most explicit in the apostle. For example: "The Spirit," he says, "speaketh expressly, that in the last times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and to doctrines of devils, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared, forbidding to marry, abstaining from meats, which God has created to be received with thanksgiving by believers, and those who know the truth. …

Reply To Faustus The Manichaean 15.10 ↗

Ambrose of Milan

As for me, indeed, would that they might have a will to hear, that they might believe—to hear with true love and meekness, as men seeking what is true and not assailing all truth. For it is written that we pay no heed to "endless fables and genealogies, which do rather raise disputes than set forward the godly edification, which is in faith. But the aim of the charge is love from a pure heart, and a good conscience, and faith unfeigned, whence some have erred and betaken themselves to empty babbling. …

Exposition of the Christian Faith 2.15.133-34 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Above, he instructed Timothy on matters pertaining to the attitude of the Church in spiritual things; second, in regard to the teachings of faith, the worship of God and the qualities required of its ministers. Here he instructs him on the attitude of the Church in regard to external things: first, in regard to food; second, in regard to riches and the different states of men, at whoever are servants under the yoke. …

Commentary on 1 Timothy ↗