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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"That we may be no longer."-The word, "no longer," shows that they had of old been in this case, and he reckons himself moreover as a subject for correction, and corrects himself. For this cause, he would say, are there so many workmen, that the building may not be shaken, may not be "carried about," that the stones may be firmly fixed. For this is the character of children, to be tossed to and fro, to be carried about and shaken. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
But let us, he says, firmly and unshakably hold fast to that small measure which we have received, and let us not, like children, be tossed about and carried away by every teaching. For this reason gifts were given: to build up and strengthen, so that the building might not be shaken. By the words "that we should no longer be" he showed that formerly they were such. He even includes himself, so as to correct not by reproaches but by kindness. …
Clement of Alexandria
These are they that "stretch the warp and weave nothing," says the Scripture; prosecuting a bootless task, which the apostle has called "cunning craftiness of men whereby they lie in wait to deceive." "For there are," he says, "many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers:" Wherefore it was not said to all, "Ye are the salt of the earth." For there are some even of the hearers of the word who are like the fishes of the sea, which, reared from their birth in brine, yet need salt to dress them for food.
Western Saints
Jerome
Was Paul referring to himself as one who was tossed to and fro and drifting? According to one view, he was saying this in humility, aware that we see in part and know in part. He is aware of how far he is from perfect knowledge and bursts into an expression of his own awareness. If so, anyone who might think himself to be humble should look to Paul as an example. …
Thomas Aquinas
Having spoken of the diversity of spiritual gifts and their fruit (4:12), now the Apostle describes how we attain to that fruit. First, he removes two obstacles. Secondly, he teaches the way of gaining access to them (4:15). It was stated well, he says, that the ultimate fruit of these gifts is for us to meet the Lord as a "perfect man unto the measure of the age of Christ." We are obliged henceforth to cease being children and become mature men; for as long as a person is a boy he is not a perfect man. …
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