Fathers

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What the Fathers say

2 Timothy 3:17

Eastern Fathers

Theophylact of Ohrid

Correction, he says, comes through Scripture, so that the man who lives according to God may lack nothing good. So if you too desire to become equally well-fitted (artios), that is, perfect, sound, and always even in all things, not despairing in sorrowful circumstances and not becoming proud in favorable ones—for this is characteristic of an uneven disposition of soul—then have Scripture as your counselor instead of me. If the apostle wrote to Timothy, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, about reading, how much more so to us? …

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

But its final effect is to lead men to the perfect good; for it produces not just any good, but a perfect good: let us go on to things more perfect (Heb 6:1). Hence he says, that the man of God may be perfect, because he cannot be perfect, unless he is a man of God. For that is perfect which lacks nothing. Consequently, a man is perfect when he is furnished, i.e., prepared, to every good work, not only to those that are necessary for salvation, but even to those that are of supererogation: and in doing good let us not fail (Gal 6:9).

Commentary on 2 Timothy ↗