ACC ~ John 8 v34

CHRIST’S OATH

AUGUSTINE: This assertion is important. It is, if one may say so, his oath. “Amen” means true but is not translated. Neither the Greek nor the Latin translator has dared to translate it. It is a Hebrew word, and people have abstained from translating it in order to throw a reverential veil over so mysterious a word. It is not that they wished to lock it up but only to prevent it from becoming despised by being exposed. How important the word is, you may see from its being repeated…. Our Lord has recourse to this mode of enforcing his words, in order to rouse people from their state of sleep and indifference. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 41.3-4. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 7:230-31**.

THOSE WHO SERVE GOD CANNOT SERVE SIN

IRENAEUS: Inasmuch, then, as he terms those “the slaves of sin” who serve sin but does not certainly call sin itself God, in this way also he terms those who serve mammon as “the slaves of mammon,” not calling mammon God. For mammon is, according to the Jewish language, [1] which the Samaritans also use, a covetous person, and one who wishes to have more than he ought to have. … We cannot serve God and mammon. AGAINST HERESIES 3.8.1. [2]

[1] Irenaeus says he has here in mind the Hebrew word Mamuel, but the etymology of the word is notoriously difficult to trace. The Hebrew usage to which he refers may be reflected in the Targums, which often use mammon in the way of”dishonest gain,““damage” or”spoiling one’s neighbor’s property.” See TDNT 4:389.

[2] ANF 1:421.

COMPLETE SPIRITUAL WHOLESOMENESS

GREGORY OF NYSSA: “Everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin,” that is, turning to evil in any matter and situation somehow enslaves a person and puts the stigma of a runaway slave on the person, with scars and brands inflicted by the blows of sin. ON VIRGINITY 18. [1]

[1] FC 58:59.

PIERCE SIN WITH REPENTANCE

GREGORY THE GREAT: Whoever yields to wrong desires puts his formerly free soul under the yoke of the evil one and takes him for his master. But we oppose this master when we struggle against the wickedness that has laid hold on us, when we strongly resist habit, when we pierce sin with repentance and wash away the spots of filth with tears. MORALS ON THE BOOK OF JOB 4.35.71. [1]

[1] LF 18:238*.

FREELY FOLLOWING DESIRE IS SLAVERY

GREGORY THE GREAT: And the more freely people follow their perverse desires, the more closely they are in bondage to them. MORALS ON THE BOOK OF JOB 25.16.34. [1]

[1] LF 23:125*.

JESUS GIVES US TRUE FREEDOM AS SONS AND DAUGHTERS

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: This is what he means: The subject of what I am talking about is not corporeal bondage. I want to talk to you about real freedom. In one instance a master, at his discretion, drives away from the house a servant in whom he sees an evil will and subjects him to any punishment he considers to be appropriate. But… no master drives away his son from the house. So, one who is a slave to sin, since he is far removed from all divine goodness, is given a perpetual punishment. But the one who has been made worthy of freedom and has been given the status of son always enjoys divine goodness and can never be removed from it. If you, he says, are freed through me and are made worthy of the title of sons, then you will possess real freedom. COMMENTARY ON JOHN 3.8.34-36. [1]

[1] CSCO 4 3:173-74.