ACC ~ Matthew 5 v18

THE ONE DOT

ORIGEN: But the “one dot” is not only the iota of the Greeks but also that which among the Hebrews is called the yod. And the “one iota” or “one dot” can symbolically be said to be Jesus, since the beginning of his name is written not only by Greeks with an iota but also by Hebrews with a yod. So Jesus will be the one dot, the Word of God in the law which does not pass from the law until all is accomplished. But the iota might also be (as he himself says) the Ten Commandments of the law, for everything else passes away, but these do not pass away. But neither does Jesus pass away; if he “falls to the ground” [1] he does so willingly, in order to bear much fruit. Again, the “one iota” or “one dot” has mastery over things both in heaven and on earth. [2] FRAGMENT 99. [3]

[1] Jn 12:24.

[2] Lit., “above and below.”

[3] GCS 41.1:56.

LAW SUMMED UP IN THE GOSPEL

JEROME: We are promised a new heaven and a new earth, which the Lord God will make. If new ones are to be created, the old ones will therefore pass away. As for what follows, “Not one iota, not a dot, shall be lost from the law until all is accomplished,” this literally shows that even what is considered least important in the law is full of spiritual sacraments, and it is all summed up in the gospel. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 1.5.18. [1]

[1] CCL 77:27.

LAW FULFILLED THROUGH GRACE

CHROMATIUS: He fulfilled the law at the time by completing the sacrifices of the law and all the examples prefigured in himself … by accepting a body. Certainly he fulfilled the law at the time he confirmed with evangelical grace the precepts of the law he had given. He proceeds to demonstrate he had come to fulfill the law: “Until heaven and earth pass away, not one iota, not a dot, shall be lost from the law until all is accomplished.” Therefore we know from Christ’s teaching how true and divine is the preaching of the law. The Lord reveals that not a single iota or a dot will be lost. TRACTATE ON MATTHEW 20.1.3-4. [1]

[1] CCL 9a:291.

NOT ONE IOTA

ANONYMOUS: A man aware of what he has said does not leave hollow words behind. So how could divine words ever remain hollow? God punishes a man if he does not do what God teaches him. How could Christ not actually fulfill what was spoken through the prophets? Therefore he fulfilled the law even in its least requirements. INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 10. [1]

[1] PG 56:688.