ACC ~ John 3 v31

ONE FROM ABOVE IS NATURALLY ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: It is no big thing, and not all that wonderful either, if Christ surpasses the glory of human nature. For the boundaries of his glory don’t only extend so far—in fact, they extend over all creation just as God is above everything that has been made and in no way numbered among them. He, as the exception to everything, is divinely placed over everything. And then John explains why, which silences anyone who might disagree. “He who comes from above,” he says, “is born of the root that is from above, preserving in himself by nature the Father’s natural goodness. Such a person will most assuredly possess an existence that surpasses everything. For, it would be impossible for the Son not to appear altogether to be the same kind of being as the one who begot him is conceived of. And this is only right. For how can the Son, who excels because he is of the same nature and is the Brightness and express Image of the Father—how can he be inferior to his [Father] in glory? Or will not the property of the Father be dishonored in the Son, and do we not insult the Image of the Begotten, if we consider him to be inferior? But this I suppose will be clear to everyone. This is why it is also written that everyone should honor the Son even as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father. [1] Whoever is glorified with equal honor with God the Father, because he exists from him by nature, has to be conceived of as surpassing the essence of things originate. For this is what”above all” means. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 2.12. [2]

[1] Jn 5:23.

[2] LF 43:184**.

JOHN REPEATS HIMSELF TO SUBDUE HIS DISCIPLES’ PRIDE

CHRYSOSTOM: As the worm gnaws through the wood from which it is born, and rust destroys the iron from which it came, and moths consume fleece, so pride destroys the soul that nourishes it. Therefore we need perseverance to get rid of it. John himself can hardly subdue it in his disciples even with all of his cogent arguments. He has to say again what he has said above, “He that comes from above is above all.”… He means: you make much of my testimony and say that the witness is more worthy to be believed than Jesus to whom I bear witness. Know this, that it is impossible for the one who comes from heaven to be accredited by an earthly witness…. He is above all, being perfect in himself and above comparison. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 30.1. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:103**.

JOHN’S TEACHING IS SIMPLE COMPARED WITH THAT OF JESUS

CHRYSOSTOM: “Speaks of the earth” does not mean that John spoke from his own understanding but that, in comparison with Christ’s doctrine, he spoke of the earth. It is as if he said, my doctrine is simple and humble when compared with Christ’s. While it is appropriate for an earthbound teacher, there is no comparison with the one in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge…. And yet John was not altogether earthly, for he had a soul and a spirit, and these were not of the earth. What does he mean then by saying that he is “earthly”? He says this only to express his own worthlessness and that he is one born on the earth, creeping on the ground. There is no comparison with Christ, who comes from above. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 30.1. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:103**.

JOHN SPEAKS OF GOD WHEN HE IS ENLIGHTENED

AUGUSTINE: Then how does he speak of the earth? He said this about human beings. So far as relates to their being human, they are of earth and speak of the earth. And when human beings speak divine things it is because they are enlightened by God. For if they were not enlightened, they would be earth speaking of earth. God’s grace is one thing, the nature of human beings is another… as the apostle says, “Yet not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” [1] … Thus John, as regards John, is of the earth and speaks of the earth. Whatever you have heard from John that is divine comes from him who enlightens, not him who receives. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 14.6. [2]

[1] 1 Cor 15:10.

[2] NPNF 1 7:96*.