ACC ~ John 4 v10b

LIVING WATER IS NOT STAGNANT

AUGUSTINE: Water issuing from a spring is what is commonly called living water. Water collected from rain in pools and cisterns is not called living water. It may have originally flowed from a spring; yet if it collects in some place and is left to stand without any connection to its source, separated, as it were, from the channel of the spring. It is not called “living water.” Water is designated as “living” when it is taken as it flows. This is the kind of water that was in that fountain. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 15.12. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:102**.

THE LIVING WATER IS CHRIST’S SPIRIT AND POWER

HERACLEON (VIA ORIGEN): [Heracleon] is not wrong when he says that “the water that the Savior gives is of his spirit and power.” And he has explained the statement “But he shall not thirst forever” as follows with these very words: “For the life he gives is eternal and never perishes, as, indeed, does the first life that comes from the well; the life he gives remains. For the grace and the gift of our Savior is not to be taken away, nor is it consumed, nor does it perish, when one partakes of it.”… Now [Heracleon’s] interpretation of the “leaping water” is not unconvincing. He takes it to refer “to those who partake of that which is richly supplied to them from above and who themselves cause what is supplied to them to gush out for the eternal life of others.” But he also praises the Samaritan woman “because she demonstrated a faith that was unhesitating and appropriate to her nature, when she had no doubt about what he said to her.” COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 13.59-60, 62-63. [1]

[1] FC 89:81-82; TS 1 4:72-73.

HUMAN NATURE BUDS INTO A VIRTUOUS LIFE

CYRIL OF ALEXANDRIA: Jesus calls the quickening gift of the Spirit “living water” because mere human nature is parched to its very roots, now rendered dry and barren of all virtue by the crimes of the devil. But now human nature runs back to its pristine beauty, and drinking in that which is life-giving, it is made beautiful with a variety of good things and, budding into a virtuous life, it sends out healthy shoots of love toward God. COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 2.4. [1]

[1] LF 43:207**.

IGNORANCE OF THE GIFT IS THE CAUSE FOR DELAY OF BAPTISM

CAESARIUS OF ARLES: Not everyone knows the gift of God, because not all desire the living water, for if they did desire it they would never postpone the sacrament of baptism…. Do not delay the remedies of your salvation because you do not know when your soul may be demanded of you. SERMON 170.4. [1]

[1] FC 47:421.