ACC ~ John 12 v32

THE LIFTING UP IS HIS GLORIFICATION

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: He keeps the mystery invisible to those intent on killing him, for they were not worthy to learn it. Nevertheless, he allowed those who were wiser to understand that he would suffer because of all and on behalf of all. And it is probably even more the case that anyone might take it in this way, and very appropriately, that is, that the death on the cross was an exaltation that is always associated in our thoughts with honor and glory. For on this account too Christ is glorified, because the benefits he procured for humanity thereby are many. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 8. [1]

[1] LF 48:156-57**.

CHRIST SUMS UP ALL THINGS IN HIMSELF

IRENAEUS: He took up humanity into himself, the invisible becoming visible, the incomprehensible being made comprehensible, the impassible becoming capable of suffering and the Word being made human, thus summing up all things in himself: so that as in supercelestial, spiritual and invisible things, the Word of God is supreme, so also in things visible and corporeal he might possess the supremacy, and, taking to himself the preeminence, as well as constituting himself head of the church, he might draw all things to himself at the proper time. [1] AGAINST HERESIES 3.16.6. [2]

[1] Christ as the “summing up” of all things was an important contribution by Irenaeus to subsequent theology on the meaning of the incarnation.

[2] SC 34:292; ANF 1:443*. See also Against Heresies 4.2.7.

ONLY ON A CROSS DOES ONE DIE WITH HANDS SPREAD OUT

ATHANASIUS: For it is only on the cross that a man dies with his hands spread out. And so it was fitting for the Lord to bear this also and to spread out his hands, that with the one he might draw the ancient people and with the other those from the Gentiles and unite both in himself. For this is what he himself has said, signifying by what manner of death he was to ransom all: “I, when I am lifted up,” he says, “shall draw all unto me.” ON THE INCARNATION 25.3-4. [1]

[1] NPNF 2 4:49-50*.