ACC ~ John 18 v38a

TRUTH IS NOT DERIVATIVE

MELITO OF SARDIS: Who is this God? It is he who is himself truth and whose word is truth. And what is truth? That which is not fashioned or made or represented by art, that is, that has never been brought into existence and is on that account called truth. [1] If, therefore, someone worships that which is made with hands, it is not the truth that he worships or yet the word of truth. A DISCOURSE WITH ANTONINUS CAESAR. [2]

[1] Or “that which is fixed and invariable.”

[2] ANF 8:753**.

THE GOVERNOR OF DEATH IS OUTSIDE THE TRUTH

AUGUSTINE: You are righteous, O Lord, but we have sinned and committed iniquity and have done wickedly. [1] Your hand has grown heavy on us, and it is only right that we are handed over to that ancient sinner, the governor of death. For he has persuaded our wills to be like his will because he does not remain in your truth. [2] What will wretched people like us do? “Who shall deliver us from the body of this death?” [3] It is only your grace through Jesus Christ our Lord, who was begotten co-eternal by you and was created in the beginning of your ways. [4] The prince of this world found nothing worthy of death in him. Yet he killed him, and the handwriting of the decree against us was blotted out. CONFESSIONS 7.21.27. [5]

[1] The Song of the Three Children 4ff.

[2] Jn 8:44.

[3] Rom 7:24.

[4] Prov 8:22. Augustine understood this passage of the incarnation, not that Christ was a creature.

[5] NPNF 1 1:114-15**; CCL 27:111.

IT IS DIFFICULT FOR TRUTH TO PENETRATE WARPED MINDS

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: In order that he might show that the difficulty in Pilate’s perception came from his stubborn heart and from his reluctance to admit the truth, Christ appropriately adds, “Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.” For the word of truth is readily accepted by those who have already learned and love it. But it is not the same for everyone. In fact, the prophet Isaiah said to some, “If you will not believe, neither shall you understand.” [1] Pilate showed at once how true this was when he said, “What is truth?” For there are those whose sight has been injured or who have entirely lost the use of their eyes and their sense of color has been entirely annihilated. They would not even be able to tell if someone placed gold before them or a brilliant precious stone. In fact, even the very light of the sun’s rays does not engage them in any kind of wonder since they have lost all perception and can gain no profit from any of these things. In the same way, to people whose minds have become warped, truth seems a foul and ugly thing even as it instills a spiritual and divine brilliance into the minds of those who behold it. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 12. [2]

[1] Is 7:9 LXX.

[2] LF 48:601-2**.