ACC ~ Matthew 23 v8

YOU HAVE ONE TEACHER

ORIGEN: You are not “to be called rabbi” and especially “not by men,” nor are you to love to be called righteous by someone else. “For you have one teacher, and you are all brothers” to each other. For you have been born anew, not only from water but also from the spirit, and you have received the “spirit of adoption,” so that it might be said of you that you were “born not of the flesh, nor of the will of man” but from God. [1] It is hard to imagine this being said of anyone or any son until now. You do not call anyone on earth “Father” in the sense that you say “our Father” of the one who gives all things through all ages and according to the divine plan. Whoever ministers with the divine word does not put himself forward to be called “teacher,” for he knows that when he performs well it is Christ who is within him. He should only call himself “servant” according to the command of Christ, saying, “Whoever is greater among you, let him be the servant of all.” [2] COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 12. [3]

[1] Jn 1:13.

[2] Mk 9:35; 10:43-44.

[3] GCS 38.2:23-24.

NOT TO BE CALLED RABBI

CHRYSOSTOM: “You are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.” One has nothing more than another. For in respect to his knowledge he knows nothing from himself. This is why Paul says, “For who is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers?” [1] —not masters. Again, “call no man your father.” This is said in order that they may know whom they ought to call Father in the highest sense. It is not said frivolously as if no one should ever be called father. Just as the human master is not the divine Master, so neither is the father the Father who is the cause of all, both of all masters and of all fathers. THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW, HOMILY 72.3. [2]

[1] 1 Cor 3:5.

[2] PG 58:670; NPNF 1 10:438.