Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Ephesians 2:4

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"But God, being rich in mercy." Not merely merciful, but rich in mercy; as it is said also in another place; "In the multitude of thy mercies." And again, "Have mercy upon me, according to the multitude of thy tender mercies."

Homily on Ephesians 4 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

We were doing deeds worthy of implacable wrath, but God, he says, is not simply merciful, but also "rich in mercy." And love from great mercy. For otherwise how would we — children of wrath — have been deemed worthy of love?

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Ignatius of Antioch

Do ye therefore, clothing yourselves with meekness, become the imitators of His sufferings, and of His love, wherewith He loved us when He gave Himself a ransom for us, that He might cleanse us by His blood from our old ungodliness, and bestow life on us when we were almost on the point of perishing through the depravity that was in us.

Epistle of Ignatius to the Trallians ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

After exaggerating their state of festering sin (2:1), the Apostle recounts here the blessing of the grace of justification. Concerning which he does two things: First, he sets down the blessing itself. Secondly, he explains it (2:8). The blessing is described with reference to its three causes: First, the efficient cause. Secondly, the formal or exemplary cause (2:5). Thirdly, the final cause (2:7). …

Commentary on Ephesians ↗

Bonaventure

Not only were we unfit to receive grace on account of ignorance of the divine precepts, but indeed also on account of our infirmity and powerlessness and concupiscence of earthly things: therefore the Lord willed to set up supports. That he might heal our languors, he descended into us through the Word crucified. …

Collationes de Septem Donis, Collation 1 ↗