Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Romans 1:17

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

But he who hath become just shall live, not for the present life only, but for that which is to come. And he hints not only this, but also another thing along with this, namely, the brightness and gloriousness of such a life. For since it is possible to be saved, yet not without shame (as many are saved of those, who by the royal humanity are released from punishment), that no one may suspect this upon hearing of safety, he adds also righteousness; and righteousness, not thine own, but that of God; hinting also the abundance of it …

Homily on Romans 2 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Having said that the gospel is "unto salvation," he explains how it is "unto salvation." The righteousness of God, he says, saves us, not our own righteousness. For what righteousness can we have, who are cursed in our works and corrupt? But God justified us not by works, but by faith, which must grow into greater and greater faith, for it is not enough to believe at first, but we must ascend from initial faith into most perfect faith, that is, into a state that is unshakeable and firm, just as the apostles said to the Lord: …

Commentary on Romans ↗

Clement of Alexandria

And if to Abraham on his believing it was counted for righteousness; and if we are the seed of Abraham, then we must also believe through hearing. For we are Israelites, who are convinced not by signs, but by hearing. Wherefore it is said, "Rejoice, O barren, that barest not; break forth and cry, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than of her who hath an husband." ...And if the same mansions are promised by prophecy to us and to the patriarchs, the God of both the covenants is shown to …

The Stromata Book 2 ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

From where can man be just? From himself? Who gives bread to himself when he is poor? Who clothes himself when he is naked, unless he receives a garment? We did not have righteousness; there were only sins here. From where is righteousness? What righteousness without faith? For the just lives by faith. He who claims to be just without faith lies. How does he not lie, in whom there is no faith? If he wants to speak the truth, let him turn to the truth. But it was far away. Truth has sprung from the earth. …

Sermon 189 ↗

Ambrose of Milan

It is right for you, my son, to have begun with the law and to have been confirmed in the gospel, from faith to faith, as it is written: "The just shall live by faith."

Letter 77.15 ↗

Thomas Aquinas

Then he explains how the Gospel works unto salvation when he says, for the justice of God is revealed therein from faith unto faith. This can be understood in two ways. In one way it can refer to the justice by which God is just: the Lord is just and has loved justice (Ps 11:7). Taken this way, the sense is that the justice of God, by which he is just in keeping his promises, is revealed in him, namely, in the man who believes the Gospel, because he believes that God has fulfilled what he promised about sending the Christ. …

Commentary on Romans ↗