ACC ~ John 15 v11

THE POWER OF CHRISTIAN JOY

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Here it is as though when Jesus says, “All this I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you,” he’s saying that those things which encourage me may give you encouragement as well. You can face danger bravely, fortifying yourselves with the hope of those who will be saved. And, if suffering comes upon you in this work, don’t be brought down into the feebleness of apathy, but rejoice more abundantly when you fulfill the will of him that wills that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. [1] For I too rejoiced at this, [Jesus says], and thought my sufferings very sweet. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 10.2. [2]

[1] 1 Tim 2:4.

[2] LF 48:400**.

JOY IN REJOICING OVER US

AUGUSTINE: And what else is Christ’s joy in us except that he is pleased to rejoice over us? And what is this joy of ours that he says is to be made full, but our having fellowship with him? … His joy, therefore, in us is the grace he has bestowed on us, and that is also our joy. But he rejoiced over this joy even from eternity when he chose us before the foundation of the world. [1] Nor can we rightly say that his joy was not full. For God’s joy was never at any time imperfect. But that joy of his was not in us. For we, in whom that joy could exist, had as yet no existence. And even when our existence commenced, it began not to be in him. But in him it always was, who in the infallible truth of his own foreknowledge rejoiced that we should yet be his own. Accordingly, he had a joy over us that was already full when he rejoiced in foreknowing and foreordaining us. And there could hardly be any fear intermingling in that joy of his that might imply a possible failure in what he foreknew would be done by himself. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 83.1. [2]

[1] Eph 1:4.

[2] NPNF 1 7:348**; CCL 36:534-35.