ACC ~ John 10 v28

CHRIST, WHO IS LIFE, GIVES LIFE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Christ promises his followers eternal life as a compensation and reward. They receive exemption from death and corruption and from the torments the judge inflicts upon transgressors. By giving life, Christ shows that by nature he is life. He does not receive it from another but supplies it from his own resources. And by eternal life we understand not only length of days which all, both good and bad, shall possess after the resurrection but also the passing of those days in bliss.

It is also possible to understand by “life” a reference to the mystical blessing [of the Eucharist] by which Christ implants in us his own life through the participation of his own flesh by the faithful, according to the text, “He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life.” COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 7.1 [1]

[1] LF 48:100**.

THE PASTURE OF ETERNAL LIFE

AUGUSTINE: This is the pasture of which he spoke before when he said, “And he shall go in and out and find pasture.” [1] … The good pasture is called eternal life. The grass there does not wither, and everywhere it is green and flourishing…. But you are only looking to misrepresent my words because you only think about this present life. When he says, then, “and they shall not perish,” you can hear the undertone of what was said, as if he had said to them: you shall perish eternally because you are not of my sheep. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 48.5-6. [2]

[1] Jn 10:9.

[2] NPNF 1 7:267**.

WE CAN FALL FROM HIS HANDS

ORIGEN: For “no one snatches us away from his hands,” according to what was said in the Gospel according to John. Yet it is not written that just as no one snatches us away, no one also falls from his hands. For one who is self-determined is free. And, I say, no one will snatch us away from the hand of God, no one can take us. But we are able to fall from his hands if we are negligent. HOMILIES ON JEREMIAH 18.3. [1]

[1] FC 97:192-93; GCS 6:154.

THE GREAT MIGHT OF CHRIST’S HAND

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: The faithful also have the help of Christ, and the devil is not able to snatch them. Those who have an endless enjoyment of good things remain in Christ’s hand, no one thereafter snatching them away from the bliss that is given to them. [No one can throw them] into punishment or torments. For it is not possible that those who are in Christ’s hand should be snatched away to be punished because of the great might Christ has. For “the hand” in the divine Scripture signifies “the power.” It cannot be doubted therefore that the hand of Christ is unconquerable and mighty to all things. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 7.1. [1]

[1] LF 48:101**.

CHRIST KNOWS WHAT HE GAVE UP FOR THEM

AUGUSTINE: But of those sheep of which the apostle says, “The Lord knows those that are his” [1] … there is none that the wolf seizes, or the thief steals or the robber kills. Christ is confident of their number since he knows what he gave up for them. It is for this reason that he says, “No one shall pluck them out of my hand.” TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 48.6. [2]

[1] 2 Tim 2:19.

[2] NPNF 1 7:267**.

NOT EVEN TEN THOUSAND ENEMIES WILL PREVAIL

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: Even though there are many deceivers, [Jesus says], “No one will snatch them out of my hand.” It is impossible—even in the face of ten thousand enemies—that someone stronger than me may snatch them from my hands. And this is the difference between you and my [followers]: you do not believe after you heard my words and saw my miracles, while they, even though they may suffer ten thousand afflictions, will never recede from my presence. For this reason they will receive the reward due to their good will, namely, eternal life, because, he said, “No one will snatch them out of my hand,” that is, they cannot separate them from me. COMMENTARY ON JOHN 4.10.28-29. [1]

[1] CSCO 4 3:213.