Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Acts 17:30

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

But when he has agitated their soul by showing them to be without excuse, see what he says: "The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent." What then? Are none of these men to be punished? None of them that are willing to repent. He says it of these men, not of the departed, but of them whom He commands to repent. He does not call you to account, he would say. He does not say, Took no notice; does not say, Permitted: but, Ye were ignorant. "Overlooked," i.e. …

Homily on Acts 38 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

He has in mind not the dead when he speaks of the times of "ignorance," but those to whom he preached. He also does not say: "You willingly committed evil," but rather: "You did not know." Thus, he declares this to the listeners, not demanding their punishment as those deserving of punishment, but calling them to repentance.

Commentary on Acts ↗

Oecumenius

"Having observed the times of ignorance," and the following. He does not mean that none are punished for these things, but that none of those who wish to repent do so. For he is not speaking of those who have died, but of those to whom he is giving commands. "He does not demand an account from you," he says, concerning your former years of ignorance. He did not say, moreover, he overlooked, or he permitted, but, "He has overlooked," that is, he did not seek punishment, although they are worthy of punishment. [CHRYSOSTOM]

Commentary on Acts ↗