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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
Nor is he the only house-breaker who breaks through a wall and steals anything within, but that man also who corrupts justice, and takes anything from his neighbor. Let us not then pass by our own faults, and become judges of other men's; nor let us, when it is time for lovingkindness, be searching out their wickedness; but considering what our own state was once, let us now be gentle and kind. What then was our state? …
Theophylact of Ohrid
In the Epistle to the Corinthians he frightens with the future, so that they would not condemn, saying: "let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. 10:12). But here he admonishes with the past, saying: let us not reproach others, since we ourselves once sinned even more. What one robber said to the other robber: "we are condemned to the same thing" (Luke 23:40). But when were we foolish? Before Christ. Was it not senseless to serve such gods? And to offer people as sacrifices — was this not the greatest delusion? …
Oecumenius
For we were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various desires and pleasures, living in hatred and envy, hated by one another. Do not reproach anyone, Paul says. For we too were evil, not that we still are. Therefore, since you were once such, and were saved by the grace of Christ, and not by your own works, how do you dare to reproach another? When were we such? When, he says, we were in error, when we worshipped idols. For it is clear how the Greeks live irreverently. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
Nor let us be disturbed by what he wrote to the Philippians: "Touching the righteousness which is in the law, one who is without blame." For he could be within in evil affections a transgressor of the law, and yet fulfil the open works of the law, either by the fear of men or of God Himself; but by terror of punishment, not by love and delight in righteousness.… And knowing himself to have been such in these his internal affections, before the grace of God which is through Jesus Christ our Lord, the apostle elsewhere confesses this …
Jerome
For we also were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various desires and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. …
Thomas Aquinas
Then when he says, for we ourselves also were sometimes unwise, he gives the reason behind this advice, and especially the last, namely, that he be meek. For someone could say: how are we to be meek to unbelievers and to the wicked? For we cannot do this. He answers: consider what you once were. Consequently, the best remedy against anger is to consider one's own weakness: first, therefore, he reminds them of their former state; second, he shows how they are able to arrive at the state of perfection, at but when the benignity. …
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