ACC ~ John 18 v9

FOREKNOWLEDGE AND GOD’S KINDNESS

AUGUSTINE: Will any one dare to say that God did not foreknow those to whom he would give faith? Or [would anyone dare to say] that God did not foreknow those whom he would give to his Son—those of whom he should lose none? And certainly, if he foreknew these things, he just as certainly foreknew his own kindnesses with which he condescends to deliver us. This is the predestination of the saints—nothing else. In other words, this is the foreknowledge and the preparation of God’s kindnesses whereby they are most certainly delivered—whoever they are that are delivered. ON THE GIFT OF PERSEVERANCE 14.35. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 5:539**; PL 45:1014.

OPPOSITION RESTRAINED BY THE POWER OF CHRIST

CHRYSOSTOM: When Jesus says, “I have not lost one,” he was not referring to temporal but eternal death here, although the Evangelist also understood him to be talking about temporal death. And one might wonder why they did not seize the disciples with him and cut them to pieces, especially when Peter had roused their anger by what he did to the servant. Who then restrained them? It was no other than that power that cast them backward. And so the Evangelist, to show that it did not happen through their intention but by the power and decree of him whom they had seized, has added, “That the saying might be fulfilled which he spoke, ‘Of those which you have given me, I have lost none.’” HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 83.1. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:307-8**.

THE DISCIPLES’ FAITH NOT YET STRONG ENOUGH

AUGUSTINE: But were the disciples not going to die later? How then was he going to lose them if they died now, unless it was because they did not believe in him yet in such a way as all do who believe and do not perish? [1] TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 112.4. [2]

[1] Jn 3:16.

[2] NPNF 1 7:417**.