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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
This is addressed to his Jewish disciples, and he brings his own example forward, to induce them thereby to abandon their old customs. Though you had none other for a pattern, he says, to look at me only would have sufficed for such a change, and for your taking courage. Therefore gaze on me; I too was once in your state of mind, especially so; I had a burning zeal for the Law; yet afterwards I feared not to abandon the Law, to withdraw from that rule of life. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
To the believers from among the Jews he speaks thus: imitate me. For I too was very devoted to the law, as you are, but I left it and now contend for Christ and the faith. Be such as these yourselves. He expressed this beautifully in conclusion. For people are more readily drawn by kindred examples than by arguments. After strong reproaches, he again displays gentleness. For harsh censure is no more beneficial than extreme leniency. …
Justin Martyr
O trumpet of peace to the soul that is at war! O weapon that puttest to flight terrible passions! O instruction that quenches the innate fire of the soul! The Word exercises an influence which does not make poets: it does not equip philosophers nor skilled orators, but by its instruction it makes mortals immortal, mortals gods; and from the earth transports them to the realms above Olympus. Come, be taught; become as I am, for I, too, was as ye are.
Western Saints
Jerome
Be as I am, for I am also as you are. What he says is such, as I became weak to you who are weak, and I could not speak to you as spiritual, but as carnal and as little ones in Christ, and because you were not yet able to eat solid food, I fed you with only milk, not wanting you to remain in infancy forever, but gradually leading you to adolescence and youth, so that you could receive solid food. …
Thomas Aquinas
Then when he says, "Be ye as I, because I also am as you," he guides them back to the state of salvation. As if to say: I am afraid for you, lest I have labored in vain among you. But lest this be so, "Be ye as I." In a Gloss this is taken in three ways. In the first way thus: "Be ye as I," namely, abandon the Law as I have abandoned it. In a second way thus: "Be ye as I," namely, correcting the old error, as I have corrected mine. And this you can do, because I am as you, and yet I have been corrected of my error. …
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