ACC ~ Romans 11 v8

SOURCE OF THE QUOTE. ORIGEN: I have not been able to find the source of this quotation. If someone consults holy Scripture more carefully than I have done and finds it, let him say so.COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS.

TWO KINDS OF BLINDNESS. AMBROSIASTER: These are the carnal Israelites who thought they were justified by the law and did not realize that they were justified by faith before God, because through the law they were all guilty.

Those who were blinded were those who were unable to see the way of truth which in their wickedness they had rejected and gone away from so that they could no longer come to the grace of salvation. The examples taken from the prophets reveal that there are two kinds of blind people. The first kind consists of those who are blinded forever, who will never be saved. These people are of such evil will that they knowingly say that they do not know what they hear. … The second type consists of those who, although they try to live according to the law, do not accept the righteousness of Christ. These people are doing this not out of the envy of an evil will but by an erroneous imitation of the tradition of their ancestors. They are blinded for a time, for although they ought to recognize the great works of Christ which cannot be ignored. … They have forgotten God and follow human opinions instead. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

A SPIRIT OF STUPOR. APOLLINARIS OF LAODICEA: This quotation was taken directly from the Hebrew by the apostle himself. The Septuagint edition has “God has put a spirit of stupor in you.” The version of Aquila more clearly has “virulence” and that of Symmachus has “pride.” … In effect, because of the ignorance of the people, the prophetic writings will be a sealed book to them, and they will be incapable of reading them. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

GENNADIUS OF CONSTANTINOPLE: The spirit of stupor prevented them from making the hard choice of repentance and conversion. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

ADDRESSED TO BOTH BELIEVERS AND SINNERS. PELAGIUS: The rest were hardened through unfaithfulness, as it is written: “Unless you believe, you will not understand.”

It is God’s prerogative to give them the spirit of stupor which they desired, for they have always disbelieved the words of God. If they had wanted to have a spirit of faith they would have received it. But even today Christians who doubt the resurrection reward or Gehenna have sought a similar spirit for themselves, for in this passage the prophet was addressing both believers and sinners. PELAGIUS’S COMMENTARY ON ROMANS.

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