Fathers

Loading…

What the Fathers say

Romans 7:14

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

After having said that great evils had taken place, and that sin, taking occasion by the commandment, had grown stronger, and the opposite of what the Law mainly aimed at had been the result, and after having thrown the hearer into a great deal of perplexity, he goes on next to give the rationale of these events, after first clearing the Law of any ill suspicion. …

Homily on Romans 13 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

The Apostle said that sin was revealed through the commandment. Therefore, lest you think that the law is the cause of sin, he pronounces a general verdict and says: "for we know that the law is spiritual." It is known to all, he says, and acknowledged by all, that the law is by no means the cause of sin, but that it is "spiritual," that is, an instructor of virtue and an enemy of vice. From what, then, did sin arise under so wonderful an instructor? From the negligence and weakness of the disciples. …

Commentary on Romans ↗

Methodius of Olympus

"For it was not the law of God that became the cause of my being brought into subjection to corruption, but the devil; that he might be made manifested who, through that which is good, wrought evil; that the inventor of evil might become and be proved the greatest of all sinners. "For we know that the law is spiritual; "and therefore it can in no respect be injurious to any one; for spiritual things are far removed from irrational lust and sin. …

Methodius From the Discourse on the Resurrection ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

After showing that the law is neither evil nor productive of an evil effect, the Apostle now proves that the law is good. In regard to this he does two things: first, he proves its goodness from the very repugnance to good found in man, a repugnance the law cannot take away; second, he shows what can take away this repugnance, at unhappy (Rom 7:24). …

Commentary on Romans ↗