ACC ~ Hebrews 13 v9

BY FAITH ALL THINGS ARE PURE. CHRYSOSTOM: Not “with strange teachings” only, but neither with “diverse ones.” “For it is well that the heart be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited their adherents.” Here he gently hints at those who introduce the observance of “foods.” For by faith all things are pure. There is need then of faith, not of “foods.” ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS 33.3.

STRANGE DOCTRINES ARE OF NO BENEFIT. EPHREM THE SYRIAN: That is, the doctrines of the [levitical] priests and their offerings. “It is well that the heart is strengthened by grace,” that is, is made firm by the new gospel, not by the restrictions of the priests about food. Those who practiced this way of life obtained no profit in these rules; that is, those who observed them were not purified nor had eternal life in them. COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS.

GRACE EMBRACED BY GOOD WORKS. CHRYSOSTOM: Who … can preserve grace by prideful conduct? How then will grace, that is, good pleasure or the energy of the spirit, be with you, unless you embrace it by good deeds? Indeed, the very cause of all good things is our constant abiding in the grace of the Spirit, for he guides us to everything. ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS 34.6.

PERSEVERE IN THE TEACHINGS OF GRACE. THEODORET OF CYR: By “strange teachings” he referred to what was at variance with the evangelical teachings. So he bids them persevere in the teaching of grace and abandon the observances of the law: No one reaped any benefit from them. INTERPRETATION OF HEBREWS 13.

Heb