Fathers

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What the Fathers say

John 11:26

Eastern Fathers

Cyril of Alexandria

Assuredly a fruit and reward of faith in Christ is eternal life, and in no other way does this come to the soul of man. For although we are all raised to life through Christ, yet this [eternal life given to the faithful] is the true life, namely, to live unendingly in bliss; for to be restored to life only for punishment differs nothing from death. If therefore any one notices that even the saints, who have received promises of life, die; this is nothing, for it is only what naturally comes to pass. …

Commentary on the Gospel of John, Book 7 (Fragments) ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

"He who believes in Me, even if he dies this bodily death, shall live, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall not die a spiritual death. Therefore do not be troubled. For although your brother has died, he shall live. And why do I speak of your brother? Even you, if you believe in Me, shall not die, but shall be above spiritual death, which is far more terrible. …

Commentary on John ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

And whosoever liveth, in the flesh, and believeth in Me, though he die for a time in the flesh, shall not die eternally.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Thomas Aquinas

The second thing he says of his power is that he is life. The effect which corresponds to this is the preservation of life. Thus he says, and whoever lives and believes in me, whoever lives a life of righteousness, "the righteous shall live by his faith" (Hab 2:4), shall never die, that is, with an eternal death. But they will have eternal life: "For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life" (6:40). …

Commentary on John ↗

Bonaventure

Not only do I make the dead rise, but I also make the living live: whence: And everyone who lives and believes in me shall not die forever; above in the sixth chapter: "Everyone who sees the Son and believes in him has eternal life." And because "with the heart one believes unto justice, but with the mouth confession is made unto salvation," therefore he says: Do you believe this?

Commentary on John, Chapter 11 ↗