ACC ~ Romans 13 v10

THE SINGLE AUTHOR OF GOSPEL AND LAW. AMBROSIASTER: Paul is using the words of the law to arrive at the meaning of the gospel. Therefore when he records the fulfilling of the law he ties it to the gospel, demonstrating that both have a single author. Yet in the time of Christ it was necessary to add something, viz., that we should love our enemies as well as our neighbors. … What does it mean to love an enemy, except to choose not to hate him any longer and to seek to do him no harm? … For the Lord himself on the cross prayed for his enemies in order to demonstrate what the fullness of righteousness, which he had taught, actually was. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

THE RULE OF LOVE. AUGUSTINE: The rule of love is that one should wish his friend to have all the good things he wants to have himself and should not wish the evils to befall his friend which he wishes to avoid himself. He shows this benevolence to all men. No evil must be done to any. Love of one’s neighbor works no evil. Let us then love even our enemies as we are commanded, if we wish to be truly unconquered. OF TRUE RELIGION 87.

THE LOVE WE OWE. [PSEUDO-]CONSTANTIUS: The apostle clearly said that we must render to each person what he is due but that we are bound only by the need to love one another. Therefore if we always give our brethren the love which we owe them, we shall always be linked together in mutual love. THE HOLY LETTER OF ST. PAUL TO THE ROMANS.

WITHHOLDING FOOD FROM THE NEIGHBOR MAY KILL. PELAGIUS: Even not to do good is wrong. For if one sees that one’s neighbor is in danger of starvation, does one not kill him if, while one has an abundance, one does not give him food, though one has not used up one’s own provisions?For anyone who is able to help someone close to death in whatever situation of need kills that person if he does not come to his aid. PELAGIUS’S COMMENTARY ON ROMANS.

LOVE IS THE FULFILLING OF THE LAW. CAESARIUS OF ARLES: Therefore, whatever you do, do it for the love of Christ, and let the intention or end of all your actions look to him. Do nothing for the sake of human praise but everything for the love of God and the desire for eternal life. Then you will see the end of all perfection, and when you have reached it you will want nothing more. SERMON 137.1.

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