ACC ~ Romans 13 v11

WHEN WE FIRST BELIEVED. DIODORE: When we realized what the advantages of good works are, the message of salvation became easier to understand than it was when we first believed. For when we believed in Christ we did not immediately acquire an exact understanding of what we should be doing, nor was it clear to us what we should stop doing and what we should continue doing. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

WAKE FROM SLEEP. AMBROSIASTER: Paul says that the time has come when we must hasten to obtain our reward. This is what it means to wake up from sleep—to do good as if it were day, i.e., openly. … It is clear that if we live well after baptism and strive for love we are not far from the reward of the promised resurrection. For the good life of a Christian is the sign of future salvation. For when a person is baptized he is forgiven but not rewarded. Later, as he walks in newness of life, he is near to eternal life. COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES.

FULL TIME TO AWAKE. CHRYSOSTOM: The time is short. … The day of resurrection and of the terrible judgment is fast approaching. … If you have done everything that was asked of you and are prepared for it, then you have nothing to fear, but if you have not, then look out! Paul is not trying to frighten his hearers but to encourage them, so as to detach them from their love of the things of this world. It was not unlikely that at the beginning of their endeavors they would be more dedicated and slacken off as time went on. But Paul wants them to do the opposite—not to slacken as time goes on but to become even more dedicated. For the nearer the King is, the more they ought to be ready to receive him. HOMILIES ON ROMANS 23.

THE ACCEPTABLE TIME. AUGUSTINE: This relates to 2 Corinthians [6:2]: “Behold, now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation.” Paul means by this the time of the gospel and the opportunity to save all those who believe in God. AUGUSTINE ON ROMANS 76.

GROW UP! PELAGIUS: It is the hour for you to strive for that which is more perfect and complete, for you should not always be children and infants. … Let us together rise from the sleep of idleness and ignorance, for now the knowledge of Christ shines forth. With the increase of knowledge our salvation is nearer than it was when we first believed. PELAGIUS’S COMMENTARY ON ROMANS.

TRUE SALVATION. THEODORE OF MOPSUESTIA: “Our salvation” means the general resurrection on the last day, for it is then that we shall enjoy true salvation. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

ON THE THRESHOLD OF THE RESURRECTION. GENNADIUS OF CONSTANTINOPLE: Every day the end comes closer, and we are already on the threshold of the resurrection. PAULINE COMMENTARY FROM THE GREEK CHURCH.

Rom