ACC ~ 2 Peter 3 v16

DO NOT MAKE THE WICKED CONFIDENT OF SALVATION. AUGUSTINE: If it is both true and clear that those lacking in good works will be thrown into the fire, without doubt another interpretation of Paul’s sayings must be sought and his teaching must be adapted in those matters which the apostle Peter says are difficult to understand but ought not to turn people to their own destruction, so that, contrary to the most obvious testimony of Scripture, they make the most wicked confident of obtaining salvation, although they most stubbornly cling to their sin and are not changed by correction or penance. EIGHT QUESTIONS OF DULCITIUS 1.

WISDOM FROM ABOVE. CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: It seems that some people find Paulhard to understand, no doubt because he speaks about the wisdom which comes from above, for in him Christ himself is speaking. CATENA.

PETER AWED BY PAUL’S BRILLIANCE. HILARY OF ARLES: Peter says this because he himself was overwhelmed by Paul’s brilliance. INTRODUCTORY COMMENTARY ON 2 PETER.

EVERY PART OF SCRIPTURE CORRUPTED BY HERETICS. BEDE: The heretics corrupt every part of Scripture. There is no book in either the Old or the New Testament which they have not perverted according to their own fantasies, by adding to it, subtracting from it or altering something which it says to make it mean something else. Those whom Peter calls unlearned and unstable are the people who have neither the light of knowledge nor the steadfastness of mind to stay in the company of the learned until they are properly instructed. For the only cure for the unlearned is to listen in all humility to the words of those who know better. The heretics do not have this humility, with the result that they are tossed about by the wind like chaff and are swept right out of the church. But those who try to corrupt the holy Scriptures and pervert the catholic faith do nothing other than condemn themselves. ON 2 PETER.

THEY TWIST SCRIPTURE. JOHN OF DAMASCUS: The enemy of our souls has made some people turn away from the straight road and divided them by strange teachings and taught them to interpret certain sayings of the Scriptures falsely. But the truth is one, and it is that which was preached by the glorious apostles and inspired Fathers and which shines in the universal church. BARLAAM AND IOASAPH 16.134.

SCRIPTURE NOT UNSTABLE. SYMEON THE NEW THEOLOGIAN: It is not divine Scripture which suffers from those who twist it according to their own desires and who corrupt themselves in their own passions but rather those who disfigure it. DISCOURSES 15.2.

2 Pet