Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Isaiah 10:21

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

And what does Isaiah cry? "Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved." Do you see that he too does not say that all are to be saved, but that those that are worthy shall? For I regard not the multitude, he means, nor does a race diffused so far distress me, but those only do I save that yield themselves worthy of it. And he does not mention the "sand of the sea" without a reason, but to remind them of the ancient promise whereof they had made themselves unworthy. …

Homilies On Romans 16:9 ↗

Western Saints

Ambrose of Milan

This is therefore what the patriarch Isaac said: You will serve your brother. But when you have removed and freed yourself from his yoke on your neck, he is signifying two future peoples, one the son of a handmaid, the other of a free woman (for the letter is a servant, but grace is free), and that people who adheres to the letter will be a servant as long as they follow the interpreter of spiritual doctrine. Then also what the Apostle said will come to pass: That the remnants may be saved according to the choice of grace. …

On Jacob and the Blessed Life, 3.13 ↗

Gregory the Dialogist

But yet grace from above sometimes looks upon these mighty men, and afflicts them by the very employments caused by their abundant goods, and intersperses with their prosperity, adverse, but profitable, tribulations: in order that, when sorrowful, they may turn to their heart, and learn how vainly they are engaged in perishable pursuits. Because the light of truth, which is concealed from proud and overbusied minds, is revealed to the afflicted and humbled. …

Morals on the Book of Job, Book XXVII, Sections 25-26 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Second, as to their worship of idols, both as to manner, for in truth, the remnant, against what is said in 1 Kings 18:21: how long do you halt between two sides? If the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him; and as to the converted, the remnant of Jacob, who were left by the Assyrians: save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel (Jer 31:7).

Commentary on Isaiah ↗