Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Hebrews 12:25

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"See that ye refuse not Him that speaketh"; that is, that ye reject Him not. "For if they escaped not who refused Him that spake on earth." Whom does he mean? Moses, I suppose. But what he says is this: if they, having "refused Him" when He gave laws "on earth, did not escape," how shall we refuse Him, when He gives laws from Heaven? He declares here not that He is another; far from it. …

Homily on Hebrews 32 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

"Do not turn away" through unbelief in His promises and despair. Who then is "the one speaking," if not Christ? For if His Blood speaks, then how much more He Himself. "If those who did not listen to the one who spoke on earth did not escape punishment." What did they not escape? Punishment, destruction. By "the one who spoke on earth" he means Moses, or even God, who descended from heaven but nevertheless spoke on earth through Moses. For on Mount Sinai He spoke, that is, He conversed, discoursed, and established everything. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗

Oecumenius

"having refused the one warning on earth," or the one who engages in earthly matters, promising the earthly and temporary, flowing with milk and honey, the dominion of enemies, good upbringing, and a long life. "from the one from heaven," he speaks, promising the same heaven as an inheritance, granting the enjoyment of that overwhelming glory and eternity. It is possible to say: On earth, to engage in matters, since almost all of the physical purifications were found in the lawgiving through Moses. …

The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

713. – After describing the condition of both testaments, the Apostle now argues from this description and does two things: first, he argues; secondly, he draws the conclusion (v. 28). In regard to the first he does two things: first, he prefaces his intention; secondly, he argues to his conclusion (v. 25b). 714. – He says, therefore: Thus we have said that the blood of Christ speaks more graciously than the blood of Abel. See to it, therefore, that you do not refuse, i.e., despise, him that is speaking, i.e., fulfill what he says. …

Commentary on Hebrews ↗