ACC ~ James 1 v17c

NO ADDITION OR DIMINUTION TO GOD’S GLORY. NOVATIAN: God never changes or transforms himself into other forms, lest by changing he should somehow appear to be mortal. For the modification implied in change from one thing to another involves a share in death of some sort. Therefore there is never any addition of parts or of glory in him, lest anything should seem to have been wanting to the perfect one in the first place. Nor can there be any diminution in him, for that would imply some degree of mortality in him. ON THE TRINITY 4.4.

GOD UNCHANGING IN HIS BEING. SEVERUS OF ANTIOCH: Hear what God says: “I am, I am and I do not change.” He remains always firm and unchanging in his being, and those who have been formed by the gospel and who have been transformed by his commands through the gift and transformation which comes from above, are called to persevere in these precepts as much as their strength permits and not to be swept away by the times in which we live. Therefore Paul also warned people, saying: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may prove what the good and acceptable and perfect will of God is.”CATENA.

GOD’S LIGHT. GREGORY THE GREAT: This changing is a shadow which conceals the divine light if it goes through certain ups and downs in this life, but because God is un-changing, no shadow can cut off his light. LESSONS IN JOB 2.38.

CLEANSED FROM WICKEDNESS. OECUMENIUS: Since what comes from us lacks perfection and indeed is very imperfect, nor does it enlighten the soul, think what perfection they will have who acquire it after a happy pilgrimage through life, who with great effort have cleansed their souls from the wickedness they inherited at birth, and who have finally reached the divine splendor. COMMENTARY ON JAMES.

THE ROYAL WAY EXPERIENCED AND SHARED. SYMEON THE NEW THEOLOGIAN: Suppose we had told you that we had freely received grace from the Father of lights, from whom comes every good and perfect gift, but that we do not care for you to receive it also. If so, we would then have deserved to become an object of abhorrence on the part of God and of yourselves. But instead we present to you the truth from Holy Scripture and from experience and show you the royal way. DISCOURSES 34.6.

Jas