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
Anarchy is an evil, and the occasion of many calamities, and the source of disorder and confusion. For as, if thou take away the leader from a chorus, the chorus will not be in tune and in order; and if from a phalanx of an army thou remove the commander, the evolutions will no longer be made in time and order, and if from a ship thou take away the helmsman, thou wilt sink the vessel; so too if from a flock thou remove the shepherd, thou hast overthrown and destroyed all. Anarchy then is an evil, and a cause of ruin. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
The subject is bishops. Having first praised them and called them faithful and worthy of imitation by those who look upon them, he then continues: "obey them." What then? Is it not necessary to obey every leader, even if he is evil? In what sense do you say: evil? If with respect to the faith, then flee from him, even if he were an angel from heaven. But if he is evil in his manner of life, then obey him. "Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do; but do not act according to their works" (Matt. 23:3). …
Ignatius of Antioch
Be ye subject to the bishop as to the Lord, for "he watches for your souls, as one that shall give account to God." Wherefore also, ye appear to me to live not after the manner of men, but according to Jesus Christ, who died for us, in order that, by believing in His death, ye may by baptism be made partakers of His resurrection. It is therefore necessary, whatsoever things ye do, to do nothing without the bishop. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
In all my sermons I am presenting you with a mirror. These are not my sermons, anyway; I only speak at the Lord's command. It is only dread of him that stops me from keeping quiet. I mean to say, who would not much rather keep quiet and not have to give an account of you? But it is quite a time since I accepted this burden, and now I neither can nor should shrug it off my shoulders. You heard, my brothers and sisters, when the letter to the Hebrews was being read.
Thomas Aquinas
After showing them how to act in regard to their dead prelates, namely, by continuing in their teachings, the Apostle now shows how to act toward living prelates: first, how to act in regard to the others; secondly, in regard to Paul himself (v. 18). He says, therefore, Obey your leaders [prelates]. …
Bonaventure
He who presides over political or ecclesiastical affairs is called father by reason of authority. And we ought to honor him according to what the ecclesiastical ordering requires, and the people ought to obey him: whence the Apostle to the Hebrews: Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch as those who will render an account for your souls.
Translation