ACC ~ Hebrews 13 v4

GOD JUDGES THE IMMORAL AND ADULTERERS. AUGUSTINE: Sometimes people who commit this sin treat it lightly out of heaven knows what kind of perversity. They hunt about for heaven knows what null and worthless proofs in their support, and say, “God does not mind the sins of the flesh.” Well, what about what we have heard today, “God will judge the immoral and adulterous”? So there you are, pay attention, any of you afflicted with this sort of disease. Listen to what God is saying, not to what your own prejudice is saying in favor of your sins, or to your friend, perhaps, chained with the same shackles of wickedness as yourself—though in fact he is more your enemy and his own. SERMON 82.11.

IS THE MARRIAGE BED HELD IN HONOR? EPHREM THE SYRIAN: A further interpretation of “he knew her not until she had borne a son” is that this holiness was of necessity, even though they both willingly shared in it. But the holiness they observed after the birth of our Lord was of their own free will.

The Evangelist defined the nature of this necessity and showed us concerning its limit, that it was “until.” … Should it be deduced from this therefore that he did not live with her chastely after she had given birth, since it is indicated “until”? But “until” is not the end limit. For he said, “The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.” Therefore, when his enemies were put beneath his feet, did he stand up? Another interpretation of “he knew her not” follows. Is not marriage pure, according to the testimony of the apostle, “The fruit of their womb is pure”? But, if one were to say, “See, the brothers of our Lord are named in the Gospel,” I would reply, “Because our Lord entrusted his mother Mary to John, it is clear that these are not her sons, nor is Joseph her husband.” For how could he who said, “Honor your father and your mother,”have separated Mary from her sons and entrusted her to John instead? COMMENTARY ON TATIAN’S DIATESSARON 10-11.

CHILDREN ARE NOT FORBIDDEN. EUSEBIUS OF CAESAREA: According to the laws of the new covenant, the producing of children is certainly not forbidden, but the provisions are similar to those followed by the ancient men of God. “Now a bishop,” says the Scripture, “must be the husband of one wife.” Yet it is fitting that those in the priesthood and occupied in the service of God should abstain after ordination from the intercourse of marriage. To all who have not undertaken this wondrous priesthood, Scripture almost completely gives way, when it says, “Let marriage be held in honor, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the immoral and adulterous.” PROOF OF THE GOSPEL 1.9.

Heb