ACC ~ 2 Corinthians 6 v14

APPEALING TO THEIR SELF-RESPECT. CHRYSOSTOM: Paul sounds here like the father who asks a son who despises his parents and prefers wicked companions: “What are you doing? Do you not realize that you are much nobler and better than they are?” He will detach his son more easily from such people by appealing to his self-respect rather than by demeaning him. In the same way, Paul appeals to the Corinthians, not mentioning himself or God but appealing directly to their sense of who they are in themselves. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 13.14.

THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST. CYPRIAN: But if we consider what the apostles thought about heretics, we shall find that in all of their epistles they execrate and abominate the sacrilegious depravity of the heretics. … And since they say that there is nothing in common between justice and iniquity, no communion between light and darkness, how can the darkness illuminate or iniquity justify? And since they are not from God but from the spirit of antichrist, how do they who are enemies of God and whose breasts the spirit of antichrist fills carry on both spiritual and divine affairs? LETTER 73, TO JUBAIAN 15.

LIGHT AND DARKNESS. GREGORY OF NYSSA: For, says the apostle: “What fellowship has light with darkness?” Since there is a distinct and irreconcilable contradiction between light and darkness, the person partaking of both has a share in neither, because of the opposition of the parts drawn up against each other at the same time in his mixed life. His faith provides the lighted part, but his dark habits put out the lamp of reason. Since it is impossible and inconsistent for light and darkness to exist in fellowship, the person containing each of the opposites becomes an enemy to himself, being divided in two ways between virtue and evil. He sets up an antagonistic battle line within himself. And just as it is not possible, when there are two enemies, for both to be victors over each other (for the victory of the one causes the death of his adversary), so also in this civil war brought about by the confusion in his life, it is not possible for the stronger element to win without the other becoming completely destroyed. For how will the army of reverence be stronger than evil, when the wicked phalanx of the opponents attacks it? If the stronger is going to win, the enemy must be completely slaughtered. And thus virtue will have the victory over evil only when the entire enemy gives way to it through an alliance of the reasonable elements against the unsound ones. … For it is not possible for the good to exist in me, unless it is made to live through the death of my enemy. As long as we keep grasping opposites with each of our hands, it is impossible for there to be participation in both elements in the same being. For, if we are holding evil, we lose the power to take hold of virtue.ON PERFECTION.

THE TRUE BAPTISM. PHILOXENUS OF MABBUG: It is the same now with us who are baptized: neither the wetness of the water in which we are baptized nor the oiliness of the oil with which we are anointed remain with us after our death. But the Holy Spirit, who is mingled in our souls and bodies through the oil and the water, does remain with us, both in this life and after our death. ON THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

A SINFUL MINGLING. PRUDENTIUS: Shall we stoop to say of mammon who have been reborn in Christ? Formed to God’s eternal image, shall we serve the fleeting world? God forbid that celestial flame should be mingled with earth’s mire. HYMNS 1.58-60.

CONTRADICTORY LOVES. JEROME: There cannot be two contradictory loves in one man. Just as there is no harmony between Christ and Belial, between justice and iniquity, so it is impossible for one soul to love both good and evil. You who love the Lord, hate evil, the devil; in every deed, there is love of one and hatred of the other. “He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me.” … You who love the things that are good, hate the things that are bad. You cannot love good unless you hate evil. HOMILY 73 ON PSALMS.

A DISTINCTIVE FAITH WITH DISTINCTIVE ACTIONS. AUGUSTINE: Now, I speak to the true Christians. If you believe, hope and love otherwise [than the pagans do], then live otherwise and gain approval for your distinctive faith, hope and charity by distinctive actions. Pay attention to the apostle when, in earnest admonition, he says: “Do not bear the yoke with unbelievers. For what has justice in common with iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? … Or what part has the believer with the unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols?” NEW YEAR’S DAY 198.3.

FORBIDDEN ACTS. BASIL: These words clearly indicate an act which is absolutely forbidden and is displeasing to God and perilous for the one who would venture to commit it. CONCERNING BAPTISM 2.7.

2 Cor