ACC ~ John 17 v1b

GLORY AND THE CROSS

CHRYSOSTOM: Again he shows us that he willingly comes to the cross. For how could someone who prayed that this might happen be unwilling, calling what would happen “glory” not only for himself the crucified but also for the Father? This was indeed the case, since not only the Son but also the Father too was glorified. For before the crucifixion, not even the Jews knew him. “Israel,” it says, “has not known me.” [1] But after the crucifixion, the whole world flocked to him. Then he also speaks of how the glory would take place and how [the Father] will glorify him. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 80.1. [2]

[1] Is 1:3.

[2] NPNF 1 14:296**.

PROVED AS SON BY NATURE, NOT ADOPTION

HILARY OF POITIERS: He does not say that the day or the time but that the hour has come. An hour contains a portion of a day. What was this hour? … He was now to be spit on, scourged, crucified. But the Father glorifies the Son. The sun, instead of setting, fled, and all the other elements felt that same shock of the death of Christ. The stars in their courses, to avoid complicity in the crime, escaped by self-extinction from beholding the scene. The earth trembled under the weight of our Lord hanging on the cross and testified that it did not have the power to hold within it him who was dying. … The centurion proclaimed, “Truly this was the Son of God.” Creation is set free by the mediation of this sin offering. The very rocks lose their solidity and strength. Those who had nailed him to the cross confess that truly this is the Son of God. The outcome justifies the assertion. Our Lord had said, “Glorify your Son,” testifying that he was not the Son in name only but properly the Son. “Your Son,” he said. Many of us are sons [children] of God. But he is Son in another sense. He is the proper, true Son by nature, not by adoption; in truth, not in name; by birth, not by creation. After he was glorified, that centurion’s confession touched on the truth. And so, when the centurion confesses him to be the true Son of God, none of his believers might doubt what one of his persecutors could not deny. ON THE TRINITY 3.10-11. [1]

[1] NPNF 2 9:64-65**; CCL 62:81-83.

GLORIFIED IN HIS RESURRECTION

AUGUSTINE: But if he was glorified by his passion, how much more was he glorified by his resurrection? For his passion showed his humility more than his glory. … Humility is the earning of glory. Glory is the reward of humility. [1] … So we must understand “Father, the hour is come, glorify your Son” to mean, the hour is come for sowing the seed—humility. Do not defer the fruit—glory. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 104.3. [2]

[1] See Phil 2:5-11.

[2] NPNF 1 7:395**; CCL 36:602-3.

MUTUAL GLORIFICATION, MUTUAL DIVINITY

HILARY OF POITIERS: But perhaps this proves weakness in the Son. He waited to be glorified by one superior to himself. And who does not confess that the Father is superior, seeing that he himself said, “The Father is greater than I”? But beware that you do not let the honor of the Father impair the glory of the Son. … But the prayer, “Father glorify your Son,” is completed by “that your Son also may glorify you.” So then the Son is not weak, inasmuch as he gives back in his turn glory for the glory that he receives. … This petition for glory to be given and paid back is neither a robbery of the Father nor a depreciation of the Son. Rather, it shows the same power of divinity to be in both. ON THE TRINITY 3.12. [1]

[1] NPNF 2 9:65**; CCL 62:83-84.

INCREASED GLORY AMONG US, NOT IN THE FATHER

AUGUSTINE: It is worthy of inquiry how the Son can glorify the Father when the eternal glory of the Father neither suffered diminution in any human form nor could be increased in respect of its own divine perfection. In itself, indeed, the glory of the Father could neither be diminished nor enlarged. But without any doubt it was less among people when God was known only in Judea. [1] … Therefore the Son glorified the Father when the gospel of Christ spread the knowledge of the Father among the Gentiles. Had the Son, however, only died, and not risen again, he would without doubt have neither been glorified by the Father nor have glorified the Father. But now, having been glorified through his resurrection by the Father, he glorifies the Father by the preaching of his resurrection. “Glorify your Son so that your Son also may glorify you.” In other words, raise me from the dead, that by me you may be known to the whole world. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 105.1. [2]

[1] Ps 76:1 (75:2 LXX, Vg).

[2] NPNF 1 7:395-96**; CCL 36:603-4.

REVEAL MY GLORY

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: Jesus says, in effect, You gave the Son the kind of honor that accorded him universal dominion—although he would have received such honor later. And what a great honor it was already being the one chosen by God! Nonetheless, he says, you gave me this [honor], so glorify me, that is, in a way fitting to the honor of which you made me worthy. Reveal me before everyone at the time of my passion so that through the events that will happen on the cross everyone may know the greatness of my honor. They will recognize that I did not deserve to suffer, nor did I do so unwillingly, but I did it for the greater benefit of all people. So the words “glorify me” do not mean “give me glory.” Rather, they mean “reveal my glory” that was given to me by you. With the same meaning he added, “So that the Son may glorify you,” that is, from those things that were done to me [i.e., the Son], you also will be seen to be great and glorious through me. The more my works appear to be admirable, the more your dignity becomes known. COMMENTARY ON JOHN 6.17.1. [1]

[1] CSCO 4 3:307.

THE GLORY PASSES TO US

DIDYMUS THE BLIND: The Father glorified his own Son, having put everything under the sun under his rule. The Father in turn was glorified through the Son. The Son was glorified by the Father, for he was entrusted with all things, because he is the Son and offspring of the one who can do everything. The Father in turn was glorified, just as a father is glorified by his own son [child]. When the Son was known to have accomplished willingly every mighty deed, the favor of his reputation passes on to the one who begat him. … This glory, then, passes on to us. That which is altogether subordinate, which has been put under the hand of the Word of God (who is mightier than all things) and which has been saved once and for all must remain for the good, since it is no longer ruled by death or governed by corruption or made subject to sins and ancient evils. FRAGMENTS ON JOHN 18. [1]

[1] JKGK 185.

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