ACC ~ John 14 v2

SHARES ALLOTTED ACCORDING TO WORTHINESS

IRENAEUS: All things belong to God, who supplies all with a suitable dwelling place, even as his Word says that a share is allotted to all by the Father, according as each person is or shall be worthy. [1] And this is the couch on which the guests shall recline, having been invited to the wedding. [2] AGAINST HERESIES 5.36.2. [3]

[1] Irenaeus alludes to the different degrees of glory and rewards believers will experience in heaven.

[2] Mt 22:10.

[3] ANF 1:567*; SC 153:458. See also Against Heresies 3.19.3.

MANSIONS IN THE REALM OF REWARDS

TERTULLIAN: How will there be many mansions in our Father’s house, if not to match the diversity of what each deserves? How will one star also differ from another star in glory, unless in virtue of disparity in their rays? [1] SCORPIACE 6. [2]

[1] 1 Cor 15:41.

[2] ANF 3:639**; CSEL 20:157.

BETTER LIVING THROUGH RESURRECTION

TERTULLIAN: Owing to the fact that our flesh is undergoing dissolution through its sufferings, we shall be provided with a home in heaven. … Because he had called the flesh a house, he wanted to use the same term elegantly in his comparison of the ultimate reward, promising to the very house that undergoes dissolution through suffering a better house through the resurrection, just as the Lord also promises us many mansions like that of a house in his Father’s home. ON THE RESURRECTION OF THE FLESH 41.1, 3. [1]

[1] ANF 3:575**; CCL 2:975. See also Tertullian On Monogamy 10 (ANF 4:67).

PREPARING THE DWELLERS

AUGUSTINE: But he is in a certain sense preparing the dwellings by preparing for them the dwellers. As, for instance, when he said, “In my Father’s house are many dwellings.” What else can we suppose the house of God to mean but the temple of God? And what that is, ask the apostle, and he will reply, “For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” [1] This is also the kingdom of God that the Son is yet to deliver up to the Father. … For it is to this kingdom, standing then at the right hand, that it shall be said in the end, “Come, you blessed of my Father, receive the kingdom.” [2] In other words, you who were the kingdom but without the power to rule, come and reign so that what you formerly were only in hope, you may now have the power to be in reality. This house of God, therefore, this temple of God, this kingdom of God and kingdom of heaven, is as yet in the process of building, of construction, of preparation, of assembling. There will be dwellings in it even as the Lord is now preparing them. There are in fact such dwellings already even as the Lord has already ordained them. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 68.2. [3]

[1] 1 Cor 3:17.

[2] Mt 25:34.

[3] NPNF 1 7:323*; CCL 36:498. Augustine also uses this passage to “reject those who infer from there being many mansions that there is a place outside the kingdom of heaven, where innocent souls that have departed this life without baptism … remain in bliss,” referring to this as akin to secondary housing. Tractates on the Gospel of John 67.3 (NPNF 1 7:321).

PLENTIFUL MANSIONS

GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS: Are there many mansions in God’s house, as you have heard, or only one? Of course you will admit that there are many, and not just one. Now, are they all to be filled, or only some, and others not, so that some will be left empty and will have been prepared to no purpose? Of course all will be filled, for nothing can be in vain that has been done by God. AGAINST THE EUNOMIANS, THEOLOGICAL ORATION 1(27).8. [1]

[1] NPNF 2 7:287.

RESERVATIONS ARE ALREADY MADE

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: With my Father there is such an abundance that he can give everyone the delights of eternal happiness. … He tells us that here since the custom among us, when space is scarce, is to reserve a place to stay in advance due to lack of available rooms. COMMENTARY ON JOHN 6. 14.2. [1]

[1] CSCO 4 3:265-66.