ACC ~ Ephesians 4 v32

AFTER CUTTING WEEDS, PLANT GOOD SEEDS. CHRYSOSTOM: Tell me what good it is to weed a garden if we do not plant good seed. … Sow good habits and dispositions. To be free from a bad habit does not mean we have formed a good one. We need to take the further step of forming good habits and dispositions to replace what we have left behind. HOMILY ON EPHESIANS 16.4.31-32.

THE VALUE OF FORGIVENESS. CHRYSOSTOM: Patience means practicing forgiveness. To give patience is a far greater gift than to give money. The one who gives money to one who asks of him does indeed do a fine and admirable deed, but such a gift touches only the body. Spiritual gifts touch the soul with redemption. Hence one who forgives does good both to his own soul and to that of the one who has received forgiveness. HOMILY ON EPHESIANS 16.4.31-32.

THE RISK OF FORGIVING. CHRYSOSTOM: Paul’s words contain a great mystery. “For,” he says in effect, “God took a chance in forgiving you. He placed his own Son in jeopardy. To forgive you he even sacrificed his Son. But you have received forgiveness time after time, at no risk or expense, yet you do not forgive.” HOMILY ON EPHESIANS 17.4.32—5.2.

GENTLENESS OVERCOMES BITTERNESS. JEROME: Paul wants us to be gentle, approachable people, people who have left anger, bitterness, wrath and slander behind. If we are merciful and serene, taking the initiative in reaching out to others, our very approachability will overcome the shyness and fear of those for whom we reach out. EPISTLE TO THE EPHESIANS 3.5.1.