ACC ~ Matthew 18 v7

WOE TO THE WORLD

ORIGEN: Jesus pronounced “woe for temptations to sin” on people scattered throughout the whole world who are subject to temptations. But the disciples, who do not contemplate the things that are seen, are not of the world. Neither is their Master of the world. Therefore the “woe for temptations to sin” does not apply to Jesus’ faithful disciples. Rather, “great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” [1] But there are some who appear to be disciples yet are still of the world. They love the world, and they love inordinately what is in it. They love the life that is led in these earthly places or the money which is in them, or the possessions or any resources whatsoever. The words “they are not of the world” do not apply to them. But “woe for temptations to sin” will apply to them since they are indeed of the world. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 13.21. [2]

[1] Ps 119:165 (118:165 LXX).

[2] GCS 40:237-38; ANF 9:487-88.

NECESSARY THAT TEMPTATIONS COME

CHRYSOSTOM: Perhaps one of our adversaries may think, If it is necessary that temptations come, why does he call woe down on the world when he ought to help it and offer a hand? For this is the task of the physician and the protector. Cursing the world is what the man in the street does. So what are we to reply to this shameless questioner? What equal of this therapy do you seek? For though he is God, he was made man for you, took on the form of a servant, suffered all the harshest treatment and still did not fail in anything that was assigned him. But because nothing further happened among ungrateful people, for this reason he calls woe down on them, because after so much fostering care they continued in their unsoundness. It is just as if some sick man were enjoying fine care but refused to follow his physician’s regimen. Suppose someone lamented the patient, saying, “Woe to that man for his sickness, which he has increased by his own laxity!” But in that case no benefit comes from the lament. Here, however, there is also a kind of therapy, in that Jesus foretells what will happen and laments it. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 59.1. [1]

[1] PG 58:573; NPNF 1 10:364.

WOE TO THE ONE BY WHOM TEMPTATIONS COME

AUGUSTINE: Of what world are we speaking when we say “Woe to the world for temptations to sin”? We speak of that world of which it is said, “And the world knew him not.” [1] We are not speaking of that world of which it is said, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself.” [2] There is an evil world, and there is a good world. In the evil world are all the evil ones of this world. In the good world are all the good ones of this world. We often hear it said of a field: his field is full. Of what? Of wheat. Yet we say also, and say truly too, his field is full of chaff. So with a tree, one says that it is full of fruit while another says it is full of leaves. Both speak truly. The supply of leaves has not usurped the place of the fruit, nor has the supply of fruit driven out the mass of leaves. The tree is full of both. But one thing is plucked by the wind; the other is picked by the harvester. So therefore when you hear, “Woe unto the world because of offenses,” do not be afraid. Love the law of God, and you will have no temptation to sin. SERMON 81.3. [3]

[1] Jn 1:10.

[2] 2 Cor 5:19.

[3] PG 38:501; NPNF 1 6:354* (Sermon 31).