ACC ~ Matthew 11 v18 - 19

CAUSE DISTINGUISHED FROM EFFECT

HILARY: “Wisdom has been vindicated by her children.” [1] Those who resist the kingdom of heaven tear apart heaven itself in attempting to justify themselves. The action of Wisdom is just, because she has transferred her gift from the obstinate and faithless to the faithful and obedient covenant people. However, it is useful in this place to consider carefully the virtue of the remark “Wisdom has been proved right by her actions,” which Jesus certainly said about himself. For Jesus is Wisdom itself not because of his acts of power but by his very nature. [2] Everything has capability, but capability is demonstrated in actions. Thus an act of goodness is not the same as goodness itself, just as an effect is distinguishable from its cause. ON MATTHEW 9.9. [3]

[1] Mt 11:19; cf. Lk 7:35.

[2] Christ, as the Son of God preexisting the incarnation, is by nature—in addition to the Logos—the divine Wisdom. Thus the cosmological function of the Old Testament Wisdom of Proverbs 8 (cf. 1 Cor 1:24) applies to him.

[3] SC 254:262.

JOHN CAME, AND THE SON CAME

THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: Those who were looking for the truth, he says, accepted the leadership of John and of Christ. It changed their lives. They managed this wisdom for the benefit of those who were searching. He calls the things that have happened wisely, wisdom. The Jews did not believe in Christ, either through the fasting and ascetic life of John or through the submissive mode of life and providential citizenship of Christ the Lord himself. Still, he who fulfilled everything wisely by neglecting none of those things that contributed to their profit and salvation was judged harshly by them. And no longer hereafter could they accuse him, because Jesus fulfilled all his promises and did not leave behind for them a shadow either of unkindness or of ingratitude. FRAGMENT 62. [1]

[1] MKGK 117.

THE LIVING WISDOM

THEODORE OF HERACLEA: Christ himself was judged by those who believed in him to be the living, foundational wisdom, who managed everything justly. Although he was treated spitefully by the unbelieving Jews, he did not stop speaking kindly to the Jews and calling them to be his children. FRAGMENT 77. [1]

[1] MKGK 77.