Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Revelation 1:8

Eastern Fathers

Athanasius of Alexandria

The Godhead of the Son is the Father's. It is indivisible. Thus there is one God and none other but he. So, since they are one, and the Godhead itself one, the same things are said of the Son, which are said of the Father, except his being said to be Father. …

Discourses Against the Arians 3.4 ↗

Oecumenius

"The alpha" [α] signifies the beginning, "and the omega" [ω] signifies the end; therefore, basically He is saying, "I am the first and the last," indicating through the "first" the God "who is" without beginning, and through the "last," the one "who is" without end. …

Commentary on Revelation ↗

Clement of Alexandria

Thus, then, the milk which is perfect is perfect nourishment, and brings to that consummation which cannot cease. Wherefore also the same milk and honey were promised in the rest. Rightly, therefore, the Lord again promises milk to the righteous, that the Word may be clearly shown to be both, "the Alpha and Omega, beginning and end;" the Word being figuratively represented as milk.

The Instructor Book 1 ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

The martyrdom of the blessed apostles has consecrated this day for us. It was by despising the world that they earned this renown throughout the whole world. Peter was the first of the apostles and Paul the last of the apostles. The first and the last were brought to one and the same day for martyrdom by the First and the Last, by Christ. In order to grasp what I've said, turn your minds to the Alpha and the Omega. …

Sermon 299B.1, On The Birthday Of The Holy Apostles Peter And Paul ↗

Gregory the Dialogist

Concerning which it is rightly added: "You shall consume the head with the feet and the entrails," because our Redeemer is the Alpha and Omega, that is, God before the ages and man at the end of the ages. And as we have already said, brothers, we have learned from Paul's testimony that God is the head of Christ. Therefore, to consume the head of the lamb is to receive His divinity by faith. To consume the feet of the lamb is to seek out the footsteps of His humanity by loving and imitating.

Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 22 ↗

Bede

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, etc. The beginning, whom none precedes; the end, to whom none succeeds in the kingdom.

Commentary on Revelation ↗