Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Romans 11:22

Eastern Fathers

John Chrysostom

"Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." And he does not say, Behold thy well doing, behold thy labors, but, "Behold the goodness of God" toward man, to show that the whole comes of grace from above, and to make us tremble. For this reason for boasting should make thee to fear. Since the Lord hath been good unto thee, do thou therefore fear. …

Homily on Romans 19 ↗

Theophylact of Ohrid

He did not say: "you see" your own merit, but: "the goodness of God"; for all is the work of God's grace. And endeavor to continue — he did not say: in faith, but: "in goodness," that is, to the end of your life do what is worthy of God's love for mankind. If you do not act thus, you will be cut off.

Commentary on Romans ↗

Clement of Alexandria

"Behold, therefore," says Paul, "the goodness and severity of God: on them that fell severity; but upon thee, goodness, if thou continue in His goodness," that is, in faith in Christ.

The Instructor Book 1 ↗

Western Saints

Thomas Aquinas

Then when he says, see then the goodness and the severity of God, he invites them to a close scrutiny of divine judgments: first, he invites them to consider; second, he instructs them as though unable to consider by themselves, at for I would not have you ignorant (Rom 11:25); third, as though he himself were not perfectly capable of this investigation, he exclaims in admiration of God's wisdom, at O the depth of the riches (Rom 11:33). …

Commentary on Romans ↗