ACC ~ Titus 3 v3

THE BLINDNESS OF JEWS AS WELL AS GENTILES. ORIGEN: Paul, the apostle from Israel, came to us as one “blameless according to the justice in the law.”Yet he says “we ourselves,” those from Israel, “were then deceitful, foolish.” So not only those from the pagan nations were “deceitful,” nor only sinners, but we “also,” who have been taught by the law, were such before the coming of Christ. HOMILIES ON JEREMIAH 5.1.

HUMBLY CONSIDER YOUR OWN FORMER LIFE. CHRYSOSTOM: Therefore we ought to be gently disposed to all. For he who was formerly in such a state and has been delivered from it ought not to reproach others but to pray, to be thankful to him who has granted both to him and them deliverance from such evils. Let no one boast. All have sinned. If then, doing well yourself, you are inclined to revile others, consider your own former life and the uncertainty of the future, and restrain your anger. HOMILIES ON TITUS 5.

NOT SEARCHING TOO CLOSELY AT EVIL DOING. CHRYSOSTOM: One who breaks down the wall and steals something from within is not the only burglar, but also he who corrupts justice and wrongfully takes something from his neighbor. Let us not, then, overlook our own faults and sit in judgment on those of others. When it is the time for mercy, let us not search too closely into evil doing, but, keeping in mind what we ourselves have been previously like, let us now become gentle and merciful. HOMILIES ON JOHN 60.5.

THE OLD MAN. AUGUSTINE: Paul could be fulfilling the open works of the law, either by fear of man or God, and yet have evil affections within himself. … Knowing himself to be such in his internal affections, before the grace of God which is in Jesus Christ our Lord, the apostle elsewhere confesses this very plainly. … “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish and unbelieving, erring, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and holding one another in hatred.” Such was Saul even when he says that he was touching the righteousness which is in the law, without reproach. AGAINST TWO LETTERS OF THE PELAGIANS 1.9.15.

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