ACC ~ Mark 3 v27a

THE DEVIL’S GOODS

AUGUSTINE: The “strong man” in this passage means the devil who was able to hold the human race in bondage. By his “goods,” which Christ was coming to plunder, the devil was keeping for himself those who would in time become faithful, but had remained in the clutches of ungodliness and various sins. It was for the purpose of binding up this strong man that John, in the Apocalypse, saw “an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.” [1] The angel checked and repressed his power to seduce and possess those destined to be set free. THE CITY OF GOD 20.7. [2]

[1] Cf. Rev 20:1-2.

[2] Cetedoc 0313, 48.20.7.44; FC 24:266*.

WEAKNESS MADE STRONG

AUGUSTINE: He conquered the devil first by righteousness, and then by power. First by righteousness, because he who had no sin [1] was slain by him most unjustly. But then by power, because having been dead he lived again, never afterwards to die. [2] For Christ was crucified, not through immortal power, but through the weakness which he took upon him in mortal flesh. [3] Of this weakness the apostle nevertheless says, “God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.” [4] ON THE TRINITY 13.14.15. [5]

[1] Cf. 2 Cor 5:21.

[2] Rom 6:9.

[3] Cf. 2 Cor 13:4.

[4] Cf. 1 Cor 1:25.

[5] Cetedoc 0329, 50A.13.14.35; NPNF 1 3:177**. He conquered the devil by that righteousness which, having no sin, was slain; and by the power of his resurrection.

CROSS AS VICTORY

AUGUSTINE: It is not difficult, therefore, to see how the devil was conquered when he, who was slain by him, rose again. [1] But there is something greater and more profound of comprehension: to see how the devil was conquered precisely when he was thought to be conquering, namely, when Christ was crucified. For at that moment the blood of him who had no sin at all, was shed for the remission of our sins. [2] The devil deservedly held those whom he had bound by sin to the condition of death. So it happened that One who was guilty of no sin freed them justly from this condemnation. [3] The strong man was conquered by this paradoxical justice and bound by this chain, that his vessels [4] might be taken away. Those vessels which had been vessels of wrath were turned into vessels of mercy. [5] ON THE TRINITY 13.15.19. [6]

[1] The issue is how the devil was conquered precisely at the point where he seemed to be conquering.

[2] Cf. Mt 26:28; 1 Jn 3:5..

[3] Cf. Heb 2:14.

[4] Booty.

[5] Rom 9:22-23.

[6] Cetedoc 0329, 50A.13.15.1; FC 45:396-97.