Fathers

Loading…

What the Fathers say

1 Corinthians 3:18

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Let no man deceive himself." This also is in reference to that person, as thinking himself to be somewhat and flattering himself on wisdom. But that he might not seem to press on him at great length in a mere digression; he first throws him into a kind of agony and delivers him over unto fear, and then brings back his discourse to the common fault, saying, "If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise." And this he doth afterwards with great boldness of speech, as having …

Homily on 1 Corinthians 9 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Having made a slight allusion to the one who sinned, he again turns his speech to those who were puffed up with worldly wisdom. Whoever, he says, "thinks himself to be wise in this age, let him become a fool," that is, let him cast aside worldly wisdom in order to acquire the divine. For just as poverty according to God is riches, and dishonor is glory, so also foolishness according to God is wisdom. …

Commentary on 1 Corinthians ↗

Cyprian

Philosophers also profess that they pursue this virtue; but in their case the patience is as false as their wisdom also is. For whence can he be either wise or patient, who has neither known the wisdom nor the patience of God? since He Himself warns us, and says of those who seem to themselves to be wise in this world, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will reprove the understanding of the prudent." Moreover, the blessed Apostle Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, and sent forth for the calling and training of the heathen, …

Treatise IX. On the Advantage of Patience ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, Let no man, he excludes an opposite error. First, he warns the faithful to be careful not to be deceived by error; secondly, he teaches how to be careful (v. 18); thirdly, he assigns the reason (v. 19). In regard to the first it should be noted that some people say that God neither rewards nor punishes men's deeds: "They say in their hearts, 'The Lord will not do good, nor will he do ill'" (Zeph 1:12); "Who has commanded and it came to pass, unless the Lord has ordained it? …

Commentary on 1 Corinthians ↗