Fathers

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What the Fathers say

2 Timothy 2:21

Eastern Fathers

Theophylact of Ohrid

Do you see that being golden or earthen depends not on nature or material necessity, as the Manichaeans suppose, but on our will? For it is possible for each person to cleanse himself, that is, to completely free himself from what is earthen and wooden and to establish in himself a golden and silver disposition. Paul was earthen, but became golden. Judas was a golden vessel, but became earthen. …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗

John Damascene

It is clear that this cleansing is done freely, for he says, "if any man shall cleanse himself," the converse of which rejoins that, if he does not cleanse himself, he will be a vessel unto dishonor, of no use to the Lord and only fit to be broken.

The Orthodox Faith 4.19

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

If any man therefore shall cleanse himself from these, because their company brings defilement: he that touches pitch, shall be defiled with it (Sir 13:1). Consequently, they must be avoided: go out from among them, and be ye separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing (2 Cor 6:17). …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗