Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Psalms 73:27

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

For, when we are abandoned by God, we are given up to the devil, and when so given up, we suffer ten thousand dreadful things. To terrify the hearer, therefore, the writer saith, "He hardened," and "gave over." For to show that He doth not only not give us over, but doth not even leave us, except we will it, hear what He saith, "Do not your iniquities separate between Me and you?" And again, "They that go far away from Thee shall perish." And Hosea saith, "Thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, and I will also forget thee"; and He …

Homily on John 68 ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

"Behold, they that put themselves afar from Thee shall perish" (ver. 27). He therefore departed from God, but not far: for "I have become as it were a beast," he saith, and "I am alway with Thee." But they have departed afar, because not only things earthly they have desired, but have sought them from demons and the Devil. "They that put themselves afar from Thee shall perish." And what is it, to become afar from God? …

Exposition on Psalm 73 ↗

Ambrose of Milan

"Behold," [the psalmist] says, "people who separate themselves far from you [God] will perish." For every individual either unites or separates himself from your mercy by his deeds. The person who does things he fears will be discovered flees from God, just as the person who is protected by walls or surrounded by darkness thinks he will not be seen by God. …

Interrogation of Job and David, Book 3, Chapter XI ↗

Gregory the Dialogist

But, if there are any who say that sins are only superficially put away in baptism, what can be more against the faith than such preaching, whereby they would fain undo the very sacrament of faith, wherein principally the soul is bound to the mystery of heavenly cleanness, that, being completely absolved from all sins, it may cleave to Him alone of Whom the Prophet says, "But it is good for me to cleave to God"? …

Register of Epistles, Book 11, Letter 45 ↗