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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
But not to this is the penalty limited for him that is slothful, but even intolerable is the punishment, and with the punishment the sentence, which is full of a heavy accusation. For "cast ye," saith He, "the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth." Seest thou how not only the spoiler, and the covetous, nor only the doer of evil things, but also he that doeth not good things, is punished with extreme punishment. Let us hearken then to these words. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
"Outer darkness" is that which is furthest from the light of God and for that reason renders the punishment more harsh. There is another reason that could be mentioned, and that is that the sinner is in darkness even in this life, as he has fallen away from the Sun of Righteousness, but as there is still hope of conversion, this is not yet the "outer" darkness. But when he has died and an examination has been made of the things he has done, then the outer darkness in its turn receives him. …
Western Saints
Jerome
And cast out the useless servant into outer darkness: there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. The Lord is the light; whoever is sent out from Him is truly without light. But what we mean by weeping and gnashing of teeth, we have already explained above.
Gregory the Dialogist
For through punishment he falls into the outer darkness who through his own fault willingly fell into inner darkness; and there he suffers unwillingly the darkness of vengeance, who here willingly endured the darkness of pleasure. It must be known that no lazy person is secure from this receiving of the talent. …
Thomas Aquinas
Consequently he treats of the punishment of sense. Now there are two senses, namely, sight and touch. Therefore he presents first the punishment of sight; secondly, of touch, when he says and the unprofitable servant cast into the exterior darkness. And note that he is not punished for the evil he has done, but for the good he has omitted; hence above at 7:19: every tree that does not yield good fruit shall be cut down. And elsewhere, John 15:2: every branch in me that bears not fruit he will take away. …
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