Fathers

Loading…

What the Fathers say

Isaiah 30:1

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Let every man and woman among us, whether meeting together at church, or remaining at home, call upon God with much earnestness, and He will doubtless accede to these petitions. Whence does this appear evident? Because He is exceedingly desirous, that we should always take refuge in Him, and in everything make our requests unto Him; and do nothing and speak nothing without Him. …

Homilies Concerning The Statues 3:5 ↗

Clement of Alexandria

Reprimand is disapproval expressed in correction or strongly worded blame. The Educator resorts to this method of training when he says through Isaiah, "Woe to you, apostate children, says the Lord, that you would take counsel and not of me, and make treaties and not of my Spirit." He flavors each pronouncement in turn with the tart spice of fear to whet the appetite of his people for salvation and make them more aware of it, just as wool to be dyed is usually steeped first in an astringent to prepare it to preserve the dye.

The Instructor Book 1 ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

Woe to the rebellious children, says the Lord, who make plans that are not from me, who weave a web without my Spirit, adding sin upon sin. You who walk to go down to Egypt, without consulting me, hoping for help from Pharaoh's strength and relying on the protection of Egypt's shadow. But Pharaoh's strength will be your shame, and the trust in Egypt's shadow will bring you disgrace. For there will be princes in Tanis, and your messengers have reached Hanes. …

Commentary on Isaiah ↗

Thomas Aquinas

667. Woe to you, apostate children. In this part, the prophet threatens against those who despised the prophet Jeremiah, and who went into Egypt against his counsel, as it says in Jeremiah 42 and 43. And this is divided into two parts: in the first, he threatens against the Jews only; in the second, against the Jews together with the Egyptians, in whom they trusted, woe to them that go down (ch. 31). …

Commentary on Isaiah ↗

Bonaventure

In this are reproved certain ones who wish to be governed by their own knowledge; of whom Isaiah says: 'Woe to you, deserting children! That you would take counsel and not from me, and would begin a web and not through my Spirit.' They weave spider's webs who cite sacred Scripture for evil purposes. Bernard says: 'You will never understand Paul unless you find the spirit of Paul.'

Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 7 ↗