Fathers

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What the Fathers say

John 6:44

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Not slight here is the authority of the Son, if so be that the Father leadeth, He raiseth up. He distinguisheth not His working from that of the Father, (how could that be?) but showeth equality of power. As, therefore, after saying in that other place, "The Father which hath sent Me beareth witness of Me," He then, that they might not be over-curious about the utterance, referred them to the Scriptures; so here, that they may not entertain similar suspicions, He referreth them to the Prophets, whom He continually and everywhere …

Homily on the Gospel of John 46 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

What then does He answer them? "No one can come to Me unless the Father draws him." He says this not to destroy free will, but to show that the one who is to believe needs much assistance from God. The Father draws those who have the capacity according to their free will, but does not draw to faith those who have made themselves incapable. For just as a magnet does not attract everything it approaches, but only iron, so too God approaches all, but attracts only those who are capable and show a certain kinship with Him. …

Commentary on John ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

See how the twofold resurrection is expressed here. He who cometh to Me, shall forthwith rise again; by becoming humble, and a member of Me. But then He proceeds; But I will raise him up at the last day. To explain the words, All that the Father hath given Me, and, I should lose nothing, He adds; And this is the will of Him that hath sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. …

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Ambrose of Milan

And you say that the Son of God is subject by reason of weakness—the Son, to whom the Father brings men and women that he may raise them up in the last day. Does this seem in your eyes to be subjection where the kingdom is prepared for the Father and the Father brings it to the Son? There is no place for perversion of words since the Son gives the kingdom to the Father and none is preferred before him. …

Exposition of the Christian Faith 2.12.104 ↗

Hilary of Poitiers

Was the Apostle ignorant, think you, of the force of these words in the Gospel, No one cometh to Me, except the Father draw Him to Me, which stand side by side with those other words, No one cometh unto the Father but by Me... Except through Him there is no approach to the Father, but there is also no approach to Him, unless the Father draw us. Understanding Him to be the Son of God, we recognise in Him the true nature of the Father. …

On The Trinity 11.33 ↗