Fathers

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What the Fathers say

John 3:18

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"He that believeth on the Son, is not judged." He that "believeth," not he that is over-curious: he that "believeth," not the busybody. But what if his life be unclean, and his deeds evil? It is of such as these especially that Paul declares, that they are not true believers at all: "They profess that they know God, but in works they deny Him." But here Christ saith, that such an one is not "judged" in this one particular; for his works indeed he shall suffer a severer punishment, but having believed once, he is not chastised for …

Homily on the Gospel of John 28 ↗

Cyril of Alexandria

Having proved by facts, that He is both Son of God the Father, and introduceth into the world grace which is more excellent than the ministration of Moses (for how is not the being justified by grace better than the being condemned by the law?), He devised, as God, another way to bring unto the faith, from all quarters driving together to salvation them that were lost. …

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 2 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

What does "he who believes in the Son is not judged" mean? Is he really not judged if his life is impure? He is very much judged. For Paul does not even call such people truly believing. "They profess," he says, "that they know God, but by their works they deny Him" (Tit. 1:16). However, here he is speaking about the fact that one is not judged for the very reason that he believed: although he will give the strictest account for evil deeds, he is not punished for unbelief, because he once believed. …

Commentary on John ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

What didst thou expect Him to say of him who believed not, except that he is condemned. Yet mark His words: He that believeth not is condemned already. The Judgment hath not appeared, but it is already given. For the Lord knows who are His; who are awaiting the crown, and who the fire. (de Pecc. mer. et Rem. l. 1. c. 33) Where then do we place baptized children? Amongst those who believe? This is acquired for them by the virtue of the Sacrament, and the pledges of the sponsors. …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Jerome

Since we have already discussed at length the just man and his likeness to the tree, also the wicked man and his likeness, and have talked about the present world, it remains for us to meditate on the future life and on eternity. Therefore in judgment the wicked shall not stand, nor shall sinners, in the assembly of the just.' [Psalm 1:5] In the Gospel according to John, we read: 'He who believes in me is not judged; but he who does not believe in me is already judged.' [John 3:18] Who is left to be judged if both he who believes …

Homily 1, on Psalm 1 ↗

Gregory the Dialogist

Or thus: In the last judgment some perish without being judged, of whom it is here said, He that believeth not is condemned already. For the day of judgment does not try those who for unbelief are already banished from the sight of a discerning judge, are under sentence of damnation; but those, who retaining the profession of faith, have no works to show suitable to that profession. For those who have not kept even the sacraments of faith, do not even hear the curse of the Judge at the last trial. …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗