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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"And no marvel; for if even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light, is it a great thing if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness?" So that if one ought to marvel, this is what he ought to marvel at, and not at their transformation. For when their teacher dares do any thing, no marvel that the disciples also follow. But what is "an angel of light?" That hath free liberty to speak, that standeth near to God. …
Cyril of Jerusalem
Evil apes respectability, and tares do their best to look like wheat, but however close a similarity to wheat they have in appearance their taste completely undeceives the discerning. Even the devil "transforms himself into an angel of light," not meaning to ascend again to his former place (for he possesses a heart as hard as an anvil and has no intention of repenting ever) but to snare those who are living the angelic life in blinding darkness and infest them with a condition of faithlessness. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
For, since their teacher (Satan) ventures upon everything, it is nothing surprising that they also imitate him. "An angel of light" – he means the one who has boldness, stands before the true light, proclaims that God is light, and in Him he is light. The devil transforms himself into such an angel, but does not become one. So also the false apostles have only the appearance of apostles, but not the actual power. Let us learn from this, then, that doing anything for show (out of vainglory) is characteristic especially of the devil.
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
For so great is the influence of probity and chastity, that all men, or almost all men, are moved by the praise of these virtues; nor is any man so depraved by vice, but he hath some feeling of honor left in him. So that, unless the devil sometimes transformed himself, as Scripture says, into an angel of light, he could not compass his deceitful purpose. …
Thomas Aquinas
He proves this, because just as the true apostles are sent by God and are transformed by him, so Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, who is their leader and inciter, showing himself to be an angel of God or sometimes Christ. Therefore it is no strange or great thing if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, i.e., pretend to be just: "Like the magistrate of the people, so are his officials" (Sir. 10:2). …
Bernard of Clairvaux
You had received a good spirit; but you do not use it well. I fear that in place of this one you may receive another, who under the appearance of good may trip you up; and you who began by the spirit may be brought to completion by the flesh. Or do you not know that the angel of Satan often disguises himself as an angel of light? God is Wisdom, and he wills to be loved not only sweetly but also wisely.
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