ACC ~ Mark 2 v17b

RESCUE THE PERISHING

PSEUDO-CLEMENT: It is a greater work to establish those things that are falling than those that still stand. Thus also did Christ desire to save those who are perishing. He has saved many by coming and calling us just when we were hastening to destruction. 2 CLEMENT. [1]

[1] TLG 1271.002, 2.6.1-7.2; AF 69**; cf. ANF 7:517.

THE CALL TO SINNERS

JEROME: There are two ways of interpreting the saying “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” The first is by analogy with the accompanying phrase: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” The other way is to put a more literal construction on the statement, like this: Since no one is perfectly righteous, Christ has not come to call those who are not there, but the multitudes of sinners who are there, with whom the world is filled, remembering the Psalm which says “Help, O Lord, for there is no longer any one who is godly.” [1] AGAINST THE PELAGIANS 2.12. [2]

[1] Ps 12:1.

[2] Cetedoc 0615, 2.12.15; FC 53:313**. The second interpretation focuses upon the assumption that since no one is righteous, Christ came for the salvation of more, not fewer.

THE GRACE TO PRAY FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS

AUGUSTINE: Pray for us that we may be saved by that salvation of which it is said: “They that are in health need not a physician, but they that are ill; for I am not come to call the just but sinners.” [1] Pray, then, for us that we may be made upright. This is indeed something which one cannot do unless he knows and wishes it; and he will become so as constantly as he wishes it fully—but it will not be through his own effort that he is able, unless he is healed and helped by the grace of the Spirit. LETTER 145, TO ANASTASIUS. [2]

[1] Cf. Mt 9:12-13.

[2] Cetedoc 0262, 145.44.8.273.9; FC 20:168-69*.