There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the
one hope of your calling,
one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father
of all,
who is above all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4, 4-5
My explications of the Patristic texts
Tertullian (A.D. 197)
Apology, 39:1
“I shall at once go on to exhibit the peculiarities of the Christian society, that, as I have refuted
the evil charged against it, I may point out its positive good. We are a body knit together by a
common religious profession, unity of discipline, and the bond of a common hope. We meet
together as an assembly and congregation, offering up prayer to God with united force, and we
may wrestle with Him in our supplications. This violence God delights in…We assemble to read
our sacred writings if any peculiarity of the times makes either forewarning or reminiscence
needful. However it be in that respect, with the sacred words we nourish our faith, we animate
our hope, we make our confidence more steadfast; and no less by inculcations of God’s precepts
we confirm good habits.”
Tertullian
delves into the intricacies of the Christian community, shedding light on its
unique characteristics and values. He emphasizes the strong bond among its
members, forged through a shared religious identity, adherence to common
disciplines, and a collective sense of hope for the future. He also underscores
the significance of communal gatherings, where members come together to engage
in fervent, unified prayer and to seek solace and guidance from a higher power.
Furthermore, the author highlights studying sacred scriptures to fortify faith,
nurture hope, and cultivate unwavering confidence. Additionally, the text
emphasizes the role of divine teachings in shaping and reinforcing positive
behaviors and moral principles within the community.
Origen (A.D. 244)
Commentary on Matthew, Tract 30
“We are not to give heed to those who say, Behold here is Christ, but show him not in the Church,
which is filled with brightness from the East even unto the West; which is filled with true light; is
the ‘pillar and ground of truth’; in which, as a whole, is the whole advent of the Son of Man, who
saith to all men throughout the universe, ‘Behold, I am with you all the days of life even unto the
consumption of the world.’”
Origen
emphasizes the importance of not being misled by those who claim to represent
Christ but do not demonstrate his presence in the Church. He describes the
Church as filled with true light and the foundation of truth. His text portrays
the Church as the embodiment of the presence of the Son of Man, who promises to
be with the people throughout their lives until the end of the world. This
passage underscores the significance of recognizing the true representation of
Christ and the presence of his teachings within the Church.
Cyprian of Carthage (A.D. 251)
On Unity, 6
“The spouse of Christ cannot be adulterous; she is uncorrupted and pure. She knows one home;
she guards with chaste modesty the sanctity of one couch. She keeps us for God. She appoints the
sons whom she has born for the kingdom. Whoever is separated from the Church and is joined to
an adulteress is separated from the promises of the Church, nor can he who forsakes the Church of
Christ attain the rewards of Christ. He is a stranger; he is profane; he is an enemy. He can no
longer have God for his Father, who has not the Church for his mother. If anyone could escape who
was outside the ark of Noah, then he also may escape who shall be outside of the Church. The
Lord warns, saying, ‘He who is not with me is against me, and he who gathereth not with me
scattereth.’”
St. Cyprian
emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful to the Church and avoiding
separation from it. He uses the metaphor of the Church as the spouse of Christ,
highlighting the need for purity and fidelity. The bishop warns that being
separated from the Church is akin to being separated from Christ's promises and unable to attain Christ's rewards. He stresses the idea
that those outside the Church are considered strangers, profane, and enemies,
and they cannot have God as their Father if they do not have the Church as
their mother. Cyprian also parallels the story of Noah’s ark, suggesting that
just as those outside the ark could not escape, those outside the Church may
also not be able to escape. Finally, the passage quotes the Lord’s warning
about being either with Him or against Him, emphasizing the importance of unity
and gathering with Christ.
Hilary of Poitiers (A.D. 355)
Commentary on Matthew 5:13
“But neither should a lamp, once it is lit, be concealed under a bushel. What benefit is possessing
something that provides light in a concealed area? Yet the Lord appropriately compared a bushel
to the synagogue, which maintained a sure means of measuring all its observances as it eagerly
welcomed the fruits that were brought. Despite all the fruit that was brought, it was empty,
though not capable of hiding the light. And thus, the lamp of Christ should not be hidden under a
bushel or under the concealing cover of the synagogue. Rather, it is highlighted in his sufferings
on the tree, offering eternal light to those who will dwell in the Church. In a similar light, the
apostles are also admonished to sign so that in admiration of their works, praise may be rendered
to God.”
This passage
from St. Hilary’s Commentary on Matthew 5 (The Sermon on the Mount) explores
the notion of not hiding one’s inner light, using the analogy of a lamp
concealed under a bushel. It prompts the reader to reflect on the inherent
pointlessness of possessing something that provides illumination if it remains
hidden. The text also parallels a synagogue that remained unoccupied despite eagerly receiving offerings. This emphasizes the significance of
not concealing the light of Christ but instead displaying it through his
sufferings, offering everlasting radiance to those within the Church.
Additionally, the text urges the apostles to radiate their light so that praise
may be attributed to God for their actions.
Basil the Great (A.D. 375)
Commentary on Isaiah, 2:66
“‘And in the last days the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be prepared on the top of the
mountains’ The house of the Lord, ‘prepared on the top of the mountains,’ is the church, according
to the declaration of the apostle, ‘Know,’ he says, ‘how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the
house of God, which is the church of the living God’ Whose foundations are on the holy
mountains, for it is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets. One also of these
mountains was Peter, upon which the rock the Lord promised to build his church.”
This passage
from St. Basil’s Commentary on Isaiah offers an insightful interpretation of
biblical teachings, delving into the establishment and significance of the
church as the revered “house of the Lord” and its foundational principles. It
delves into the apostles’ declaration regarding the conduct within the “house
of God,” drawing a connection to the church of the living God. Furthermore, the
text alludes to the church’s foundation being rooted in the teachings of the
apostles and prophets, emphasizing the pivotal role of figures like Peter. This
interpretation underscores the church’s profound spiritual significance and
historical underpinnings, emphasizing its deep roots in the teachings of the
apostles and prophets.
Augustine of Hippo (A.D. 400)
Answer to Letters of Petilian, 2:38
“Petilianus said: ‘If you declare that you hold the Catholic Church, the word ‘catholic’ is merely the
Greek equivalent for entire or whole. But it is clear that you are not on the whole because you
have gone aside into the part.’ Augustine answered: I too indeed have attained to a very slight
knowledge of the Greek language, scarcely to be called knowledge at all, yet I am not shameless
in saying that I know that means not ‘one,’ but ‘the whole;’ and that means “according to the
whole:” whence the Catholic Church received its name, according to the saying of the Lord, ‘It is
not for you to know the times, which the Father hath put in His own power. But ye shall receive
power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
Jerusalem, and in Judea, and in Samaria, and even in the whole earth.’ Here you have the origin of
the name ‘Catholic.’”
The text
features a thought-provoking dialogue between Petilianus and Augustine as they
delve into the profound significance of the word “Catholic.” Petilianus
passionately argues that “catholic” simply means “entire” or “whole” in Greek,
emphasizing the idea that those who align with the Catholic Church should
embody an undivided and complete unity. Conversely, Augustine eloquently posits
that “catholic” denotes “according to the whole,” he fervently asserts that the
Catholic Church derived its name from the Lord’s proclamation, symbolizing its
mission to bear witness throughout the world. Augustine’s perspective
beautifully highlights that the term “Catholic” underscores the universal and
all-encompassing nature of the Church, inviting a profound reflection on the
Church’s global mission and unity.
Commentary on Isaias
“For the church is lofty, conspicuous, and well known to all men everywhere. It is also lofty in
another sense, for her thoughts have nothing earthly, but she is above all that is earthly and,
with the eyes of the understanding, looks upon, as far as it is possible, the glory of God and
glories in doctrines truly exalted, concerning God … Wherefore, with justice may the house of God
be called a mountain (known) by the understanding, and it is perfectly visible, as being raised
upon the hills; and one may say of it, and with great cause, what as a notable illustration was
uttered by the mouth of the Saviour: ‘A city placed upon a hill cannot be hidden’”
The text depicts
the church as a towering and easily recognizable establishment known to all
people. It highlights that the church is lofty in its physical prominence and
spiritual nature, as its thoughts and focus are directed towards matters beyond
the earthly realm. St. Cyril emphasizes the church’s elevated perspective, as
it seeks to understand and glorify God through exalted doctrines. By likening
the house of God to a mountain known by understanding, he underscores the
visibility and significance of the church, much like a city situated on a hill
that cannot be concealed. This comparison illustrates that the church and its
teachings are meant to be widely acknowledged and celebrated.
He that is not with me is against me:
and he that gathers not with me scatters.
Luke 11, 23
.webp)