Fathers

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What the Fathers say

2 Corinthians 7:2

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

Again he raiseth the discourse about love, mitigating the harshness of his rebuke. For since he had convicted and reproached them as being beloved indeed, yet not loving in an equal degree, but breaking away from his love and mixing up with other pestilent fellows; again he softens the vehemence of his rebuke, saying, "Make room for us," that is, "love us;" and prays to receive a favor involving no burden, and advantaging them that confer above them that receive it. …

Homily 14 on 2 Corinthians ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

Again he speaks of love. Previously he struck fear into them, saying that they had departed from him and joined themselves to unbelievers and the unclean. Now he softens toward them, saying: "receive us," that is, give us a spacious place within yourselves, so that we are not constrained in you. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗

Irenaeus

From all such persons, therefore, it behooves us to keep aloof, but to adhere to those who, as I have already observed, do hold the doctrine of the apostles, and who, together with the order of priesthood, display sound speech and blameless conduct for the confirmation and correction of others. …

Against Heresies Book IV ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, open your hearts to us, he offers himself as an example. As if to say: take us as an example: "Be imitators of me as I am of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1). For I have guarded myself against uncleanness by holiness, because I have injured no one. Here it should be noted that a person might injure his neighbor in three ways, but Paul did not injure them in any of these ways. …

Commentary on 2 Corinthians ↗