ACC ~ John 6 v45

THOSE UNWORTHY OF THE OFFICE

GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS: I was ashamed of all those others who… intrude into the most sacred offices and, before becoming worthy to approach the temples, lay claim to the sanctuary. [1] They push and thrust around the holy table as if they thought this order to be a means of livelihood instead of a pattern of virtue, or an absolute authority instead of a ministry of which we must give account. In fact they are almost more in number than those whom they govern…. Soon enough, as time and this evil alike progress, they will not even have anyone left to rule when all are teachers instead of taught by God, as the promise says, and all prophesy. [2] IN DEFENSE OF HIS FLIGHT TO PONTUS, ORATION 2.8. [3]

[1] The reference is to the priesthood.

[2] See also Num 11:29; 1 Cor 14:24.

[3] NPNF 2 7:206*.

FAITH CAN BE LEARNED ONLY FROM GOD

CHRYSOSTOM: He then shows the way in which the Father draws. “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught of God.’” [1] You see the excellence of faith: that it cannot be learned from people or by the teaching of people but only from God himself…. If then all shall be taught by God, how is it that some shall not believe? Because all here only means in general. Besides, the prophecy does not mean absolutely everyone but all who have the desire. For the Teacher sits ready to impart what he has to everyone and dispenses his truth to all. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 46.1. [2]

[1] Is 54:13.

[2] NPNF 1 14:164**.

NO ONE COMES IN ANY OTHER WAY

AUGUSTINE: Or think of it in this way. When a schoolmaster is the only one in a town, we say loosely, “This person teaches all here to read,” not that all learn from him but that he teaches all who do learn. And in the same way we say that God teaches all to come to Christ: not that all do come but that no one comes in any other way. PREDESTINATION OF THE SAINTS 14. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 5:505**.

THE FATHER TAUGHT, THE SON SPOKE

AUGUSTINE: See then how the Father draws; not by laying a necessity on a person but by teaching the truth. See how he draws: “They shall all be taught by God.” To draw belongs to God: “Everyone who has heard and has learned of the Father comes to me.” What then? If every person who has heard and learned of the Father comes to Christ, has Christ taught nothing here? What if people saw not the Father teaching but the Son? So then, the Father taught and the Son spoke…. As I teach you by my word, [the Son says], so the Father teaches by his Word…. But the Son himself explains the matter, if we read on: “Not that anyone has seen the Father except him who is from God, he has seen the Father.”… This is as if he said: When I tell you, “Everyone that has heard and learned of the Father,” do not say to yourselves, We have never seen the Father, so how then can we have learned from him? Hear him then in me [Jesus]…. I know the Father and am from him, just as a word is from him who speaks it; that is, not the mere passing sound but that which remains with the speaker and draws the hearer. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 26.7-9. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:170-71**.