Loading…
VRSZ
This sets the art on your cards and whose commentary you read on each verse. You can change it later in settings.
Translation
Loading…
What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"And ye masters," he continues, "do the same things unto them." The same things. What are these? "With good-will do service." However he does not actually say, "do service," though by saying, "the same things," he plainly shows this to be his meaning. For the master himself is a servant. "Not as men-pleasers," he means, "and with fear and trembling": that is, toward God, fearing lest He one day accuse you for your negligence toward your slaves. "And forbear threatening;" be not irritating, he means, nor oppressive. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
"In the same way." How? Serve willingly and not as people-pleasers, but with fear and trembling, that is, in relation to God. For although he did not express this directly in words, he desires it. For the master also serves the slave, caring for him and providing him with everything necessary and generally supporting him and condescending to him, and, as Solomon says, sharing labor with him. He did not say: leaving aside the whip, but even "severity," and all the more so punishment, that is, do not be harsh even in threats. …
Peter of Alexandria
But the freemen shall be tried by penance for three years, both for their dissimulation, and for having compelled their fellow-servants to offer sacrifice, inasmuch as they have not obeyed the apostle, who would have the masters do the same things unto the servant, forbearing threatening; knowing, says he, that our and their Master is in heaven; and that there is no respect of persons with Him. …
Western Saints
Jerome
Serving is to be done "in singleness of heart." One is called to "do the will of God" and to do it "with a good will," that is, with benevolence from the heart. Everyone will finally receive just judgment from the Lord for whatever good he has done. If he has served as a lowly one in the household, he will be judged justly according to his responsibility. The master of the household is not to be overbearing, not quick to punish. …
Thomas Aquinas
Then he goes on to give advice to masters. He states, therefore, And you, masters, do the same, namely, with a proportional identity: as servants act from the heart and with a good will, so also should you act. "If you have a faithful servant, let him be to you as your own soul" (Sirach 33:31)—forbearing threatenings and not only [refraining from] blows and whippings. Why? He gives the reason when he says knowing that the Lord both of them and you is in heaven. "For the same is Lord over all" (Rom. 10:12). …
Translation