Loading…
VRSZ
This sets the art on your cards and whose commentary you read on each verse. You can change it later in settings.
Translation
Loading…
What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God." And he said not, of the twelve alone, but also of all the other apostles. And all these things he spake, both as one speaking modestly and because he was really so disposed as I said, making arrangements also beforehand for what was intended to be spoken and rendering it more acceptable. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
He pronounces judgment on himself: I, he says, am the least not only of the twelve, but of all the rest as well. Look, here he recalls those sins from which he was delivered through baptism, in order to show what grace he received from God. Why then, while presenting himself as a witness of Christ's Resurrection, since He appeared to him as well, does he enumerate his own shortcomings? In order to earn greater trust. For he who in all fairness has laid out his own unworthiness will not speak in vain on behalf of another.
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
The Enemy is more completely vanquished in the case of a man over whom he holds fuller sway.
Jerome
These words apply to those who complain: Why wasn't I created such that I would be free from sin forever? Why was I fashioned such a vessel that I could not endure hard like metal instead of being fragile and easily broken whenever touched?… Let us blush and say what those say who have already obtained their rewards. Let us, who are sinners on earth and encased in this fragile and mortal body, say what we know the saints are saying in heaven.
Thomas Aquinas
905. – And therefore, as though assigning a reason he says: I am the least of the apostles. In regard to this he does two things: first, he shows his smallness; secondly, he explains the reason for this (v. 9b). 906. – He explains his smallness, first, in comparison to the apostles, when he says: for I am the least of the apostles: "The least one shall become a clan, and the smallest one a mighty nation" (Is 60:22); "The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself" (Sir 3:18). …
Translation