Isaiah 43
Commentary from 25 fathers
And if thou pass through water, I am with thee; and the rivers shall not overflow thee: and if thou go through fire, thou shalt not be burned; the flame shall not burn thee.
καὶ ἐὰν διαβαίνῃς δι᾿ ὕδατος, μετὰ σοῦ εἰμι, καὶ ποταμοὶ οὐ συγκλύσουσί σε· καὶ ἐὰν διέλθῃς διὰ πυρός, οὐ μὴ κατακαυθῇς, φλὸξ οὐ κατακαύσει σε.
И҆ а҆́ще прехо́диши сквозѣ̀ во́дꙋ, съ тобо́ю є҆́смь, и҆ рѣ́ки не покры́ютъ тебѐ: и҆ а҆́ще сквозѣ̀ ѻ҆́гнь про́йдеши, не сожже́шисѧ, и҆ пла́мень не ѡ҆пали́тъ тебѐ,
“Even if we cross over, they shall not slip, says the Lord.” We shall not slip into corruption, we who are crossing over into incorruption, because he himself will support us. For so he himself has said and so he has willed.
The Instructor Book 1
What kind of fire? “He stationed the cherubim and the fiery sword, which turns about to protect the way of the tree of life.” Where the tree of life is, where the paradise of God is, where God the gardener is, where the blessed and the elect and the holy ones of God reside, there the blessed await God’s own way of handling affairs.
Homily on 1 Kings 28:9.3
Become guileless, and be like the guileless sheep whose wool is sheared off without their saying a word. Do not go from one place to another saying, “I will find God here or there.” God has said, I fill the earth, “I fill the heavens,” and again, “If you cross the water, I am with you.”
Instructions 1:25
We are wayfarers in this life; many walk, but it is needful that we walk aright, for then is the Lord Jesus with us, as we read, When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burned. But if a man take fire in his bosom, the fire of lust, the fire of immoderate desire he walketh not through, but burns this clothing of his soul. A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour than silver and gold! Faith is sufficient for itself, and in its own possession is rich enough. And to the wise man nothing is foreign, but what is contrary to virtue; wherever he goes, he finds all things to be his own. All the world is his possession, for he uses it all as if it were his own.
Letter 2, To Constantius
(Verse 2) When you pass through the water, I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. LXX: If you pass through water, I am with you, and rivers will not cover you. And if you pass through fire, you will not be burned: the flame will not burn you. And what he implies: he describes the attack and fury of persecutors as waters and rivers, and fire and flames, who envy the salvation of the Gentiles and do not want the gospel message to be preached. Although the Jews want the Egyptians to be understood as waters, the Babylonians as rivers, the Macedonians as fire, and the Romans as flames.
Commentary on Isaiah
Even when the compassionate God disciplines, he does not abandon mercy.… For, he says, “judge, consider, take heart.” Now God strengthens those who were reduced to slavery in Babylon. And since they bore the title “the people of God,” it was appropriate that God addressed the people in this way: “I have called you by your name. You are mine.” He says, “You possess the name by which I have called you.”
Commentary on Isaiah 13:43.1
If you watch and seek, the Lord says, “Here I am,” and “If you pass through fire,” I am with you “and the flames shall not consume you.” If you ask through prayer, you will find, and if you knock through giving to the poor, Christ opens the doors to you in order that you may enter and possess paradise. Now if you still think that anything will remain at the end of the world, consider your own end.
Sermon 158A.I
And through the prophet the Lord promises saying, "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and the rivers shall not overflow thee." For the rivers overflow those whom the active business of this world confounds with perturbation of mind. But he who is sustained in mind by the grace of the Holy Spirit passes through the waters, and yet is not overflowed by the rivers, because in the midst of crowds of peoples he so proceeds along his way as not to sink the head of his mind beneath the active business of the world.
Register of Epistles, Book 7, Epistle 4
“If thou go through fire, thou shalt not be burned, and the rivers shall not flow over thee.” Faith has many times worked such things before the eyes of all creation. If knowledge were given the opportunity to attempt such things, it would in no wise be persuaded. For it is by faith that men have entered into flames and bridled the burning power of the fire, walking unharmed through the midst thereof, and they have trodden upon the back of the sea as upon dry land. All these are above nature and opposed to the modes of knowledge.
Ascetical Homilies 52
He sets out the promise: when you shall pass through the waters, the Egyptians; the rivers, the Chaldeans; the fire, the Greeks; the flames, the Romans: for they were not entirely consumed: we have passed through fire and water (Ps 66:12).
The Lord liberates his saints from the fire, of carnal temptation: it is a fire that devours even to consumption (Job 31:12); of temporal tribulation: you have tried me by fire (Ps 17:3); of eternal damnation: go, you cursed, into everlasting fire (Matt 25:41); of divine wrath: a fire is kindled in my wrath (Deut 32:22); in which are burned the lascivious: for it is better to marry than to be burnt (1 Cor 7:9); the impatient, above: their countenances shall be as faces burnt (Isa 13:8); the impenitent: the flame burned the wicked (Ps 106:18); the proud: foundations of the mountains (Ps 18:7).
And he liberates them from the waters, of pleasure: stolen waters are sweeter (Prov 9:17), in which they are suffocated by lust; of covetousness: they sunk as lead in the mighty waters (Exod 15:10), in which they are suffocated by greed; of adversity: the waters are come in even unto my soul (Ps 69:1), in which they are suffocated by impatience; of worldly power: the waters over which she sits (Rev 17:1), in which they are suffocated by pride.
Commentary on Isaiah
For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, that saves thee: I have made Egypt and Ethiopia thy ransom, and [given] Soene for thee.
ὅτι ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεός σου ὁ ἅγιος ᾿Ισραὴλ ὁ σῴζων σε· ἐποίησα ἄλλαγμά σου Αἴγυπτον καὶ Αἰθιοπίαν καὶ Σοήνην ὑπὲρ σοῦ.
ꙗ҆́кѡ а҆́зъ гдⷭ҇ь бг҃ъ тво́й, ст҃ы́й і҆и҃левъ, сп҃са́ѧй тѧ̀: сотвори́хъ премѣ́нꙋ твою̀ є҆гѵ́петъ и҆ є҆ѳїо́пїю, и҆ сои́нꙋ за тѧ̀.
(Verse 3) For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I have given Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. LXX: for I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I have made your exchange for Egypt, and Ethiopia, and Seba for you. Therefore, He commands them not to fear, because the Lord their God, the Savior, and the holy one of Israel will be with them, who made them known in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Syene, and even to the ends of the earth to proclaim. Regarding Syene, the remaining interpreters have placed it in Saba (), where the queen of the South came to hear the wisdom of Solomon (III Kings 10).
Commentary on Isaiah
And he assigns the reason for this: for I am the Lord, above: for God himself is my savior (Isa 12:2).
Second, he promises the commutation of their punishments, namely, that he would punish others in their place; and he sets out the commutation: I have given Egypt for your atonement, that is, that I may be propitiated toward you, as though by the punishments of those who provoked you to sin by hoping in their help: Saba, a city of Ethiopia: the just is delivered out of distress: and the wicked shall be given up for him (Prov 11:8).
Commentary on Isaiah
Since thou becamest precious in my sight, thou hast become glorious, and I have loved thee: and I will give men for thee, and princes for thy life.
ἀφ᾿ οὗ ἔντιμος ἐγένου ἐναντίον ἐμοῦ, ἐδοξάσθης, καὶ ἐγὼ σὲ ἠγάπησα· καὶ δώσω ἀνθρώπους πολλοὺς ὑπὲρ σοῦ καὶ ἄρχοντας ὑπὲρ τῆς κεφαλῆς σου.
Ѿне́лиже че́стенъ бы́лъ є҆сѝ предо мно́ю, просла́вилсѧ є҆сѝ, и҆ а҆́зъ тѧ̀ возлюби́хъ, и҆ да́мъ человѣ́ки за тебѐ и҆ кнѧ̑зи за главꙋ̀ твою̀.
(Verse 4) From the moment you became honorable and glorious in my eyes: I loved you, and I will give men for you, and peoples for your soul. LXX: Since you have been honorable and glorified in my sight: and I have loved you, I will give men for you, and princes for your life. Therefore, the chorus of the Apostles became honorable in the sight of God, and beloved by Him; and they are the salvation of all people and nations who are called to the Gospel through them, and they will be considered for the salvation of their souls.
Commentary on Isaiah
God renders the summary of benefits in which they take pleasure. It is because I love you, he says, and because I have chosen you that you have become respected and glorious. “And I will give men for you, and princes for your life.” He means to speak of the Babylonians, whom he has delivered over to Cyrus.
Commentary on Isaiah 13:43.4
And he assigns the reason, namely, the love of God itself: since you became honorable, that is, I made and reckoned you honorable; I will give men for you, for your liberation: surely Ephraim is an honorable son to me (Jer 31:20).
Commentary on Isaiah
Fear not; for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and will gather thee from the west.
μὴ φοβοῦ, ὅτι μετὰ σοῦ εἰμι· ἀπὸ ἀνατολῶν ἄξω τὸ σπέρμα σου καὶ ἀπὸ δυσμῶν συνάξω σε.
Не бо́йсѧ, ꙗ҆́кѡ съ тобо́ю є҆́смь: ѿ востѡ́къ приведꙋ̀ сѣ́мѧ твоѐ и҆ ѿ за̑падъ соберꙋ́ тѧ:
5–7(Verses 5-7) Do not fear, for I am with you: I will bring your descendants from the East, and gather you from the West. I will say to the North, give up: and to the South, do not withhold: bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth. And everyone who calls upon my name, I have created him for my glory, and I have formed him and made him. LXX: Do not be afraid, for I am with you: I will bring your offspring from the East, and gather you from the West. I will say to the north, give up; and to the south, do not withhold: bring my sons from afar, and my daughters from the ends of the earth, everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. And he joins and says: Do not be afraid, I am with you, who speak to you in the Gospel: Behold, I am with you all days even to the consummation of the world (Matt. 28:20). For I will bring your sons from the East and from the West, who will rest in the bosom of Abraham, and from all parts of the world the people of my sons and daughters will be gathered, who will either invoke my name or be called by my name, so that they may be called Christians to the glory of their creator.
Commentary on Isaiah
These predictions received their fulfillment after the defeat of the Babylonians, for Cyrus commanded [the Jews] to return to Judea. At the time the latter made [their] return from the east, those who had taken flight during the war and reached the west then [also] returned to the land, probably because they recognized the peace that had come on Judea. In any case, it is with truth and precision that the text clearly indicates the people that the holy apostles have called from the entire world and who have obtained salvation. For in every city the Jews were the first to whom the apostles offered the divine teachings.
Commentary on Isaiah 13:43.5
“I will destroy those warring with you on account of the gospel, both people and leaders.” He encourages them in this way. “And your children, which you have sown by God and which you have begotten throughout the world, I will gather to my heavenly city, raising up those airborne, through the air, like birds made light by the winds,” that is, the angelic forces. “I shall raise up your offspring to be my children through their being reborn in the church, and all those called by my name Christians are welcomed.” For Christ prophesied these things through the godly prophet.
Commentary on Isaiah 43:1-13
5–6Third, he promises them every kind of liberation from tribulation. First, he promises the benefit of liberation: fear not; from the east, for they had been dispersed in every direction, above: he shall assemble the fugitives of Israel (Isa 11:12); behold I will bring them from the north country (Jer 31:8).
Commentary on Isaiah
I will say to the north, Bring; and to the south, Keep not back; bring my sons from the [land] afar off, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
ἐρῶ τῷ Βορρᾷ· ἄγε, καὶ τῷ Λιβί· μὴ κώλυε, ἄγε τοὺς υἱούς μου ἀπὸ γῆς πόρρωθεν καὶ τὰς θυγατέρας μου ἀπ᾿ ἄκρων τῆς γῆς,
рекꙋ̀ сѣ́верꙋ: приведѝ: и҆ лі́вꙋ: не возбранѧ́й, приведѝ сы́ны моѧ̑ ѿ землѝ да́льнїѧ и҆ дщє́ри моѧ̑ ѿ кра́євъ земны́хъ,
[even] all who are called by my name: for I have prepared him for my glory, and I have formed him, and have made him:
πάντας ὅσοι ἐπικέκληνται τῷ ὀνόματί μου· ἐν γὰρ τῇ δόξῃ μου κατεσκεύασα αὐτὸν καὶ ἔπλασα αὐτὸν καὶ ἐποίησα αὐτόν·
всѣ́хъ, є҆ли́цы нарица́ютсѧ и҆́менемъ мои́мъ: во сла́вѣ бо мое́й ᲂу҆стро́ихъ є҆го̀ и҆ созда́хъ є҆го̀ и҆ сотвори́хъ и҆̀.
Thou, Master almighty, didst create all things for Thy name's sake; Thou gavest food and drink to men for enjoyment, that they might give thanks to Thee; but to us Thou didst freely give spiritual food and drink and life eternal through Thy Servant. Before all things we thank Thee that Thou art mighty; to Thee be the glory for ever.
The Didache, Chapter 10
If it is necessary for some to be marked by name, then I will make it clear to them all that they are now “those who have been called by my name.” From where else did the name of Christians come than from the name of Christ? For it was he who foretold such a thing through the prophet.
Commentary on Isaiah 2:24
Second, he sets out their fitness for liberation: and every one that calls upon my name, I will lead into my glory, that he might glorify me, and that I might appear glorious in him: every one that shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved (Joel 2:32).
Commentary on Isaiah
and I have brought forth the blind people; for [their] eyes are alike blind, and they that have ears are deaf.
καὶ ἐξήγαγον λαὸν τυφλόν, καὶ ὀφθαλμοί εἰσιν ὡσαύτως τυφλοί, καὶ κωφοὶ τὰ ὦτα ἔχοντες.
И҆ и҆зведо́хъ лю́ди слѣ́пы, и҆ ѻ҆́чи сꙋ́ть та́кожде слѣ́пы, и҆ глꙋ́си ᲂу҆́шы и҆мꙋ́щїи.
8–9If they seemed to have the eyes of the soul and a human mind, they were still nonetheless blind to the deceit of idolatry. But what then happened to them provides the basis for Isaiah’s message. For the former blind and deaf were gathered together into the church of God even as the rulers of the nations opposed the people of God. The prophet is amazed and tries to make sense of the prophecy that he is speaking, and so he calls out, saying, “Who can announce these things?”
Commentary on Isaiah 2:24
8–9(Verses 8-9) Bring out the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears. Let all the nations gather together, and let the peoples be assembled. Who among you will declare this, and show us former things? Let them bring their witnesses to justify them, and let them hear and say, 'It is true.' LXX: Bring out the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears. All the nations gather together, and the peoples assemble. Who among them can declare this, and show us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to prove them right, and let them hear and say, 'It is true.' Let them bring their witnesses, and let them be justified, and let them hear and speak the truth. And what follows: Educate the blind people, who have eyes; the deaf, who have ears; many people think that it is said about the Gentile people, who began to hear and see through the teaching of the Apostles. But we should also understand this about the dispersed Israel, who was called by the Apostles and believed first; to whom Paul also speaks: It was necessary for the word of God to be preached to you first (Acts 13:46). And the Lord Himself in the Gospel: Go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 10:6). Finally, it follows: all the nations are gathered together, and the tribes are assembled, that is, with the people who believed from the Jews, so that there may be a dual calling, of circumcision and of uncircumcision. But what is said, 'Bring forth, O Lord, the word is spoken to the Son.' Or, according to the Septuagint, the Father speaks to the Son, that He may bring forth His blind and deaf people, and join them to the nations, and make many leaders of the Church from them. And the prophet marvels that no one among the nations could have known these things in advance, nor could they have known the plans of God; but only His people who have received the Law and had prophets: For God is known in Judea, His name is great in Israel (Ps. LXX, 1).
Commentary on Isaiah
Third, he promulgates the command of liberation: bring, O Cyrus, forth, out of the land of their captivity, the people, namely, of the Jews: hear, O foolish people, and without understanding: who have eyes, and see not: and ears, and hear not (Jer 5:21).
Commentary on Isaiah
All the nations are gathered together, and princes shall be gathered out of them: who will declare these things? or who will declare to you things from the beginning? let them bring forth their witnesses, and be justified; and let them hear, and declare the truth.
πάντα τὰ ἔθνη συνήχθησαν ἅμα, καὶ συναχθήσονται ἄρχοντες ἐξ αὐτῶν. τίς ἀναγγελεῖ ταῦτα; ἢ τὰ ἐξ ἀρχῆς τίς ἀναγγελεῖ ὑμῖν; ἀγαγέτωσαν τοὺς μάρτυρας αὐτῶν καὶ δικαιωθήτωσαν καὶ εἰπάτωσαν ἀληθῆ.
Всѝ ꙗ҆зы́цы собра́шасѧ вкꙋ́пѣ, и҆ соберꙋ́тсѧ кнѧ̑зи ѿ ни́хъ. Кто̀ возвѣсти́тъ сїѧ̑; и҆лѝ ꙗ҆̀же и҆спе́рва кто̀ возвѣсти́тъ ва́мъ; да приведꙋ́тъ свидѣ̑тели своѧ̑ и҆ ѡ҆правдѧ́тсѧ, и҆ да ᲂу҆слы́шатъ и҆ да рекꙋ́тъ и҆́стинꙋ.
All the nations. Here he excludes the sharing of divinity. And first, he shows the falsehood of other gods by the manner of a judgment, setting out the consensus of the nations in idolatry: assembled together, in one error: they are all gone aside (Ps 14:3); seeking a sign of divinity: who among you, that is, which of your gods; or this is said to the idols; and he seeks testimony: let them bring forth their witnesses, let them be justified, that is, let them justly be called gods; and let the witnesses hear, future things from them, and say, testimony for you, above: there is none that shows, nor that foretells (Isa 41:26).
Second, he shows the truth of his own divinity, and first, as to knowledge, second, as to power: you are my witnesses (Isa 43:12).
Commentary on Isaiah
Be ye my witnesses, and I [too am] a witness, saith the Lord God, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know, and believe, and understand that I am [he]: before me there was no other God, and after me there shall be none.
γίνεσθέ μοι μάρτυρες, καὶ ἐγὼ μάρτυς, λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεός, καὶ ὁ παῖς μου, ὃν ἐξελεξάμην, ἵνα γνῶτε καὶ πιστεύσητε καὶ συνῆτε ὅτι ἐγώ εἰμι. ἔμπροσθέν μου οὐκ ἐγένετο ἄλλος Θεὸς καὶ μετ᾿ ἐμὲ οὐκ ἔσται.
Бꙋ́дите мѝ свидѣ́телїе, и҆ а҆́зъ свидѣ́тель, гл҃етъ гдⷭ҇ь бг҃ъ, и҆ ѻ҆́трокъ мо́й, є҆го́же и҆збра́хъ, да ᲂу҆вѣ́сте и҆ вѣ́рꙋете мѝ и҆ ᲂу҆разꙋмѣ́ете, ꙗ҆́кѡ а҆́зъ є҆́смь: пре́жде менє̀ не бы́сть и҆́нъ бг҃ъ, и҆ по мнѣ̀ не бꙋ́детъ.
If Christ is Son, Christ is certainly after God. But after God there is nothing comparable to him. Christ is therefore not comparable to God; or if he is not after God, certainly he is with God; for in no way can he be before God; therefore he is consubstantial (homoousion) … substance as substance, especially if it is a homogeneous substance that is realized in two or more individuals, which is said to be identical substance, not similar.
Against Arius 2:1.1
Still I would like to ask of our opponents what the words mean that were once uttered by the prophet, “Before me there was no God, and after me there is none.” If the Son is younger than the Father, how can the Father say, “after me there shall be none”? You will not, therefore, also deprive the Only Begotten himself of his substance, will you? Indeed, you must dare to do this or else to accept the one Godhead with the distinct persons of the Father and the Son.
Homilies on the Gospel of John 4
10–11(Verses 10-11) You are my witnesses, says the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me, and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I am, I am the Lord, and there is no savior without me. LXX: Be my witnesses, and I am a witness, says the Lord God, and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe and understand that I am: Before me there was no other God and after me there will be none. I am God, and there is no Savior besides me. Whether he himself is the witness of his own words, both the doer and the boy and servant whom he has chosen. There is no doubt that it signifies Christ, to whom he also says above: It is great for you to be called my servant. And all these things will happen, so that the truth may be preached to the world, and they may know, and believe, and understand, whose minds were previously brutish and insensible, that besides one God, there is no other God, neither before nor after. For the creator of times never has a beginning, since time itself sometimes exists. And how did He speak: I am a witness, says the Lord God; and the boy whom I have chosen, saying this very thing to the Lord in the Gospel: The testimony of two men is true. I am the one who testifies about myself, and the one who sent me is the Father (John 8:17-18). Thus, we must understand the divinity of Him, that there is no God except Himself who speaks, and His chosen boy. Besides God the Father, there is no other God: because Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1), who speaks in the Gospel: I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me (John 14:11). For just as the one Lord Christ does not take away from the Father so that he may not be Lord, so the one God the Father does not take away from the Son so that he may not be God: who in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God: this was in the beginning with God (John 1:1-2). And what follows: And there is no Savior without me, shows that the Son saves all things in the Father. Concerning whom the same prophet testifies: And the Lord will send them a Savior, who will make them safe (Isaiah 9). For indeed, God is wise and strong, and His wisdom and virtue cannot exist without Him.
Commentary on Isaiah
“I have glorified you in the world.” By this glory Christ has led the blind people into the light. For the sun of righteousness does not allow us to be children of the night and shadows but rather of day, as the divine apostle says. When Paul says, “They have been gathered,” this in fact has not yet taken place, and he is obviously speaking prophetically, meaning “they will be gathered.” For speaking of things to come as if they had happened is customary in the Scriptures; another example of such is “I have given my back to the rod” and “they divided my clothing among them.”
Commentary on Isaiah 43:1-13
He gives testimony, assigning men to give testimony: you are my witnesses, my servant, the people of Jacob, or Christ: you shall be witnesses (Acts 1:8); setting out the manner of knowing: that you may know, as to those things which can be known about God by natural reason, and believe, as to those things which are above reason, and thus, understand, for unless you believe, you will not understand, above (Isa 7:9), according to another reading; and setting out what is said by the witnesses, that he alone is God: that I, alone, am, God; there was no God who forms, or formed, namely, no idol: see that I alone am, and there is no other God besides me (Deut 32:39).
Commentary on Isaiah
I am God; and beside me there is no Saviour.
ἐγὼ ὁ Θεός, καὶ οὐκ ἔστι πάρεξ ἐμοῦ ὁ σῴζων.
А҆́зъ бг҃ъ, и҆ нѣ́сть ра́звѣ менє̀ сп҃са́ѧй.
If you want to have me as a witness to your verdict, then be the first to render witness to my truth. In this case, I will not be alone in bearing witness, but there is also my chosen servant. Now it is neither Moses nor another of the prophets who is referred to here, but Christ our Master. And he calls him a [servant], not as God but as a human being; for it is as a human being that he has named him “chosen.” … We likewise find in the holy Gospels this number of two witnesses. In the course of a conversation with the Jews our Master Christ in effect declared, “It is written in your law that the testimony of two persons is true. I bear witness concerning myself, and the Father who sent me bears witness.” … “I am, I am your God, and there is no other savior besides me.” Again these words proclaim the one divinity. For our Master Christ is called “savior” throughout the holy Scriptures, as I think even the followers of Arius and Eunomius would concede. Now if apart from God there is no savior and if Christ is called “Savior,” it is clear that he participates in the [divine] nature. If Christ does not, as the blasphemers allege, then he is not Savior.… But if he is Savior, then he shares the same essence to which alone belongs the faculty of saving.
Commentary on Isaiah 13:43.10-11
It has been sufficiently demonstrated that God exists and that his essence is incomprehensible. Furthermore, those who believe in sacred Scripture have no doubt that he is one and not several. For the Lord says at the beginning of his lawgiving, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt. You shall not have strange gods before me.” And again: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord your God is one Lord.” And through the mouth of the prophet Isaiah: “I am,” he says, “the first God, and I am the last, and there is no God besides me. Before me there was no God, and after me there shall be none, and beside me there is none.” And the Lord speaks thus to his Father in the holy Gospels: “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God.” With those who do not believe in sacred Scripture we shall reason as follows. The Divinity is perfect and without deficiency in goodness or wisdom or power. He is without beginning, without end, eternal, uncircumscribed; to put it simply, he is perfect in all things. Now, if we say that there are several gods, there must be some difference to be found among them. For if there is no difference at all among them, then there is one God rather than several. But if there is some difference, then where is the perfection? For if one should come short of perfection in goodness, or power, or wisdom, or time or place, then he would not be God. The identity of God in all things shows him to be one and not several.
Orthodox Faith 1:5
And that he alone is Lord: I am, singularly, I am, preeminently: neither is there salvation in any other (Acts 4:12).
Commentary on Isaiah
I have declared, and have saved; I have reproached, and there was no strange [god] among you: ye are my witnesses, and I am the Lord God,
ἐγὼ ἀνήγγειλα καὶ ἔσωσα, ὠνείδισα καὶ οὐκ ἦν ἐν ὑμῖν ἀλλότριος. ὑμεῖς ἐμοὶ μάρτυρες καὶ ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεός.
А҆́зъ возвѣсти́хъ и҆ сп҃со́хъ, ᲂу҆кори́хъ, и҆ не бѣ̀ въ ва́съ чꙋжді́й: вы̀ мнѣ̀ свидѣ́телїе, и҆ а҆́зъ свидѣ́тель, гл҃етъ гдⷭ҇ь бг҃ъ,
12–13(Verses 12-13) I have declared and saved; I have made known, and there was no strange one among you. You are my witnesses, says the Lord, and I am God, and from the beginning I am myself, and there is no one who can rescue from my hand. I will work, and who can turn it aside? LXX: I have declared and saved: I have rebuked and there was no stranger among you. You are my witnesses, and I am the Lord God from the beginning, and there is no one who can deliver from my hand. I will do it, and who will turn it away? So when I foretell these things from the beginning, there will be no one who rejects my will: indeed, what I have done, they could make void. These things are indeed said to Jacob and Israel, but they refer to the apostolic choir and all who want to believe in Christ and be saved from the Jewish people.
Commentary on Isaiah
I not only made the predictions; I have also brought them to their conclusion. “I reproached, and then there was no strange god among you.” The three interpreters have rendered the word “I have reproached” by the verb “I have made to understand,” which comes back to saying, I have born witness. The verb “I have made reproaches” also has the same sense: it is because they do not cease to sin that they suffer reproaches. Moreover, he then makes the following declaration: At the time when I gave the law, no strange god was present: “You are my witnesses, and I am the Lord God.” Know clearly, he is saying, that no one else is concerned for you, but that you alone have benefited by my providence.
Commentary on Isaiah 13:43.12
Second, he gives a sign of his divinity: I have declared, there was no strange one among you, by which you could know: O Israel, if you will hearken to me, there shall be no new god in you: neither shall you adore a strange god (Ps 81:8–9).
Here he shows the truth of his divinity as to power. And first, he gives the testimony: you are my witnesses: I am the beginning (John 8:25).
Commentary on Isaiah
even from the beginning; and there is none that can deliver out of my hands: I will work, and who shall turn it back?
ἔτι ἀπ᾿ ἀρχῆς καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν ὁ ἐκ τῶν χειρῶν μου ἐξαιρούμενος· ποιήσω, καὶ τίς ἀποστρέψει αὐτό;
є҆щѐ ѿ нача́ла, и҆ нѣ́сть и҆з̾има́ѧй ѿ рꙋкꙋ̀ моє́ю: сотворю̀, и҆ кто̀ ѿврати́тъ є҆̀;
“I will act, and who will hinder it?” For I have accomplished the calling of the nations, he says, that is, I have saved those who were led astray. And who can alter this, or who could change things so that they did not happen? The Savior himself assures us that no one can snatch those who are being saved from the hand of God. “For my sheep hear my voice, and I know them; and they follow me, and I give them eternal life.”
Commentary on Isaiah 4:1.43:11-13
He gives a sign of his power in punishing: and there is none that can deliver out of my hand, as in Deuteronomy 32:39 and Job 10:7; and in working: I will work, above: the Lord of hosts has decreed, and who can disannul it? (Isa 14:27).
Commentary on Isaiah
Thus saith the Lord God that redeems you, the Holy One of Israel; for your sakes I will send to Babylon, and I will stir up all that flee, and the Chaldeans shall be bound in ships.
Οὕτως λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὁ λυτρούμενος ῾υμᾶς, ὁ ἅγιος τοῦ ᾿Ισραήλ· ἕνεκεν ὑμῶν ἀποστελῶ εἰς Βαβυλῶνα καὶ ἐπεγερῶ φεύγοντας πάντας, καὶ Χαλδαῖοι ἐν πλοίοις δεθήσονται.
Та́кѡ гл҃етъ гдⷭ҇ь бг҃ъ, и҆збавлѧ́ѧй ва́съ, ст҃ы́й і҆и҃левъ: ва́съ ра́ди послю̀ въ вавѷлѡ́нъ и҆ воздви́гнꙋ всѧ̑ бѣжа́щыѧ, и҆ халде́є въ корабле́хъ свѧ́жꙋтсѧ.
(Verse 14.) Thus saith the Lord, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their bars, and the Chaldeans glorying in their ships. I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your king. LXX: Thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, your redeemer: For your sakes I will send to Babylon, and will bring down all their fugitives, and the Chaldeans, in the ships of their rejoicing. I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, who have shown your king, Israel. According to the Hebrew, the prophetic speech is still directed to Israel, to whom their redeemer, the Lord and Holy One of Israel, spoke these words: 'Because of you who preach the Gospel with me, to whom I said above: Do not be afraid, for I am with you, you who are the witnesses of my will, and you announce my other Son to the unbelieving world, I have sent my Son into Babylon and the confusion of this age. And I have removed all its bars, which are called Barihim in Hebrew (or Barichim, as interpreted by Theodotion).' And, he said, the Chaldeans are implied, I have removed those who boasted in their ships: in these, namely, who floated like ships among idols. No one doubts about the Chaldeans that they sound like demons. I, the Lord, have foretold these things, who am your Creator and the king of Israel. Moreover, according to the Septuagint, the meaning is quite different: I, the Lord, who have delivered you from dangers, and the holy one of Israel: because of you, I will send the king of the Medes and Persians to Babylon, and I will make its inhabitants flee, and the Chaldeans who captured you will be bound and transferred across the Caspian Sea to other nations. I, the Lord, have determined these future events, which will reveal that the King of Israel will be the one who believes.
Commentary on Isaiah
14–15[Isaiah] predicts the defeat of the Babylonians and the enslavement of the Chaldeans. They will suffer these misfortunes because of you, he says, since they were unwilling to recognize that their victory depended on my good will and that you were made prisoners because I rejected you.
Commentary on Isaiah 13:43.14
14–15“I have brought down all the runaways and the Chaldeans,” that is, “For your sake I will send you to Babylon” and will make the Medes rise, in order to deliver you from captivity. And when the Babylonians fly from you in every manner, through the land and the sea, they will be captured in “their ships” and be imprisoned. He calls “runaways” the Medes because of their previous weakness.
Commentary on Isaiah 43:14
14–15Thus says the Lord. Here he sets out the sign of his love, that he destroyed for them the Babylonians, who gloried in their ships because of the multitude of their waters: I sent, namely, my wrath: the Lord has both purposed, and done all that he spoke against the inhabitants of Babylon (Jer 51:12).
Commentary on Isaiah
I am the Lord God, your Holy One, who has appointed for Israel your king.
ἐγὼ Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὁ ἅγιος ὑμῶν, ὁ καταδείξας ᾿Ισραὴλ βασιλέα ὑμῶν.
А҆́зъ гдⷭ҇ь бг҃ъ ст҃ы́й ва́шъ, показа́вый і҆и҃лѧ царѧ̀ ва́шего.
Thus saith the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty water;
οὕτως λέγει Κύριος, ὁ διδοὺς ἐν θαλάσσῃ ὁδὸν ἐν ὕδατι ἰσχυρῷ τρίβον,
Си́це гл҃етъ гдⷭ҇ь, даѧ́й пꙋ́ть по мо́рю и҆ по водѣ̀ си́льнѣ стезю̀:
Although these things were done to the Babylonians and Chaldeans, prophetically speaking, the future things that are “not yet” shall be as if already accomplished. God has completed these by himself, comparing the present events with those that happened earlier: I showed my divinity to those in Egypt and led my people through the Red Sea. I made a way “in the mighty water” and a dry path through that same sea when I threw the chariots of Pharaoh and his forces into the sea to the bed prepared for them, sinking down to the abyss and no longer able to rise. They were like those of old who were bent like a snuffed wick in a burning flame. I worked such things among the ancients, who in turn passed on the memory of those wonders to those of old who followed. But for the present I command them no longer to be amazed at those deeds, neither those done in Babylon nor those in Egypt.
Commentary on Isaiah 2:25
(Verse 16) Thus says the Lord, who made a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters. LXX: For thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters. The Lord, who destroyed and cast down Babylon and took away its mightiest ones from power, and made all the Chaldeans who sailed prosperously on the waves of this age captives, He Himself found a way in the rushing waters of the Red Sea, so that his liberated people could cross from Egypt. Whether it was he who made a path in the Red Sea, or who found a way in the raging waters of the river Jordan, so that the departure from Egypt and the entrance into the promised land would have a miracle.
Commentary on Isaiah
How has he led chariots and horses? It is clear that Pharaoh pursued Israel by his own decision, for God had already spoken in this way to him: “I have raised you up as to show my power in you and so that my name might be made known throughout the earth.” Thus in a marvelous way God saves those who are fleeing from the desire for earthly things as they are pursued by the devil. God shows them that the wild waves of the present life are passable and that they will not be overwhelmed by trials but will arrive securely in the desert with a stilled and purified mind. They will eat the heavenly bread and drink the water from the rock. This is to share in Christ and to go through the Jordan and gain the Promised Land.
Commentary on Isaiah 43:14-28
Thus says the Lord, who made a way in the sea. Here he recalls his past benefits to confirm their hope for future benefits. And concerning this, he does two things. First, he recalls his past benefits in directing them when they came out of Egypt: in the Red sea (Exod 14); in the mighty waters, in the Arnon (Num 21), in the Jordan (Josh 3).
Commentary on Isaiah
who brought forth chariots and horse, and a mighty multitude: but they have lain down, and shall not rise: they are extinct, as quenched flax.
ὁ ἐξαγαγὼν ἅρματα καὶ ἵππον καὶ ὄχλον ἰσχυρόν· ἀλλ᾿ ἐκοιμήθησαν καὶ οὐκ ἀναστήσονται, ἐσβέσθησαν ὡς λίνον ἐσβεσμένον.
и҆зводѧ́й колєсни́цы и҆ ко́ни и҆ наро́дъ си́ленъ: но ᲂу҆спо́ша и҆ не воста́нꙋтъ, ᲂу҆гасо́ша а҆́ки ле́нъ ᲂу҆гаше́нъ.
(Verse 17) Who brought out the chariot and horse, the army and the strong: they lay down to sleep together, they will not rise again; they are broken like flax, they are extinguished. LXX: Who brings out chariots and horses, and a multitude of warriors. But they lie down, they shall not rise; they are extinguished, extinguished like flax. He submerged Pharaoh's chariots, horses, and entire army in the depths, who slept an eternal sleep. They were crushed and annihilated, like flax in a short span of time, and in an instant. For flax, even before being consumed by fire, is immediately extinguished due to its light substance, and dissolves into ashes.
Commentary on Isaiah
And as to the destruction of their enemies, who brought forth the chariot, the chariots of Pharaoh: his chosen captains are drowned in the Red Sea (Exod 15:4); as flax, cut down in a moment.
Commentary on Isaiah
Remember ye not the former things, and consider not the ancient things.
μὴ μνημονεύετε τὰ πρῶτα καὶ τὰ ἀρχαῖα μὴ συλλογίζεσθε.
Не помина́йте пе́рвыхъ, и҆ ве́тхихъ не помышлѧ́йте,
18–19(Verses 18-19) Do not remember the former things, and do not consider the ancient things. Behold, I am doing something new, now it will spring forth; will you not know it? I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. LXX: Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it shall spring forth, shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Therefore, I command you that among my signs and miracles, by which the most powerful city of Babylon was destroyed, and by which the way was opened for my people in the Red Sea and the Jordan river, you must not remember the past, for in the Gospel I am going to do much greater things; in comparison to which, the past should be forgotten. For I will no longer find a way in the Red Sea, but in the desert of the whole world. And not just one river or spring will burst forth from a rock, but many rivers that will refresh not bodies as before, but thirsty souls. And that which we read above will be fulfilled: You will drink the waters from the fountains of the Savior (On Chapter 12, Verse 3).
Commentary on Isaiah
Second, he promises much greater future benefits. First, he shows the greatness of his future benefits by comparison to the former ones: remember not former things, as if to say: they are not worthy to be kept in memory in comparison with future things: forgetting the things that are behind (Phil 3:13).
Commentary on Isaiah
Behold, I [will] do new things, which shall presently spring forth, and ye shall know them: and I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the dry land.
ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ποιῶ καινὰ ἃ νῦν ἀνατελεῖ, καὶ γνώσεσθε αὐτά· καὶ ποιήσω ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ὁδὸν καὶ τῇ ἀνύδρῳ ποταμούς.
сѐ, а҆́зъ творю̀ нѡ́ваѧ, ꙗ҆̀же нн҃ѣ возсїѧ́ютъ, и҆ ᲂу҆вѣ́сте ѧ҆̀: и҆ сотворю̀ въ пꙋсты́ни пꙋ́ть и҆ въ безво́днѣй рѣ́ки.
19–20The Word says, “Look, I am doing something new, which no eye has seen, no ear heard, no human heart felt.” These are to be seen, heard and grasped by a new eye, a new hearing and a new heart when the Lord’s disciples speak, listen and act in the Spirit.
The Stromata Book 2
19–20For of this number I find figurative hints up and down the Creator’s dispensation in the twelve streams of Elim. … Now the same number of apostles was thus portended, as if they were to be fountains and rivers that should water the Gentile world, which was formerly dry and destitute of knowledge, as he says by Isaiah, “I will put streams in the unwatered ground.”
Against Marcion 4.13
19–20But as often as water is named alone in the holy Scriptures, baptism is referred to, as we see intimated in Isaiah: “Remember not,” says he, “the former things, and consider not the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing.…” There God foretold by the prophet that among the nations, in places that previously had been dry, rivers should afterwards flow plenteously and should provide water for the elected people of God, that is, for those who were made children of God by the generation of baptism. Moreover, it is again predicted and foretold before, that the Jews, if they should thirst and seek after Christ, should drink with us, that is, should attain the grace of baptism. “If they shall thirst,” he says, “he shall lead them through the deserts, shall bring forth water for them out of the rock. The rock shall be cloven, and the water shall flow, and my people shall drink,” which is fulfilled in the Gospel, when Christ, who is the Rock, is cloven by a stroke of the spear in his passion; who also, admonishing what was before announced by the prophet, cries and says, “If anyone thirst, let him come and drink. He who believes in me, as the Scripture says, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” And that it might be more evident that the Lord is speaking there not of the cup but of baptism, the Scripture adds, saying, “But this spoke he of the Spirit, which they that believe in him should receive.” For by baptism the Holy Spirit is received, and thus by those who are baptized and have attained to the Holy Spirit is attained the drinking of the Lord’s cup.
Epistle LXII:8
19–20But He, although He took on Him our flesh, although He was made man that He might redeem man, and recal him from death, still, as being God, came upon earth in an extraordinary way, that as He had said, 'Behold I make all things new,' so also He might be born of an immaculate virgin, and be believed to be, as it is written, 'God with us.' But from their perverse ways they are induced to say 'She was a virgin when she conceived, but not a virgin when she brought forth.' Could she then conceive as a virgin, and yet not be able to bring forth as a virgin, when conception always precedes, and birth follows?
Letter 42, To Pope Siricius
19–20What I am going to do, he says, merits still more admiration than the things done [in the past]. He adds what will be: “And I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the dry land.” Some have thought that these declarations relate to the return from Babylon. This is wrong, for he did not favor them at that time, while they were returning from exile, either with a strange road or with rivers. But he is calling the Gentiles “the desert” [wilderness], and the preachings of the apostles “rivers” and the course that escapes error “the way.” What he has added makes it equally obvious.
Commentary on Isaiah 13:43.19
19–20“Because I have given water in the wilderness and rivers in the waterless land to assuage the thirst of my elect race; the people I have set aside for myself proclaim my virtues.” The race that [Jesus] put on according to his human nature is human nature in its entirety, yet is nearer still to the Jewish race. For there is no doubting that our Lord came from Judah.
Commentary on Isaiah 13:43.21
Because of the newness of these things: behold I do new things, unheard of: behold, I make all things new (Rev 21:5); and because of their determination: I will make a way, for those going to the feasts, in the wilderness, that is, the land of the Jews, which was formerly a desert; rivers, of consolation: he has turned a wilderness into pools of waters (Ps 107:35). And if these things are explained literally of the liberation from captivity in Babylon, they are called greater than the liberation from Egypt, not because of greater miracles, but because the kings from whose power he liberated them were more powerful than Pharaoh, or because they came from a more distant place; if, however, they are referred to the liberation carried out by Christ, it is evident that nothing so admirable had preceded it in past ages.
Commentary on Isaiah
the beasts of the field shall bless me, the owls and young ostriches; for I have given water in the wilderness, and rivers in the dry land, to give drink to my chosen race,
εὐλογήσουσί με τὰ θηρία τοῦ ἀγροῦ, σειρῆνες καὶ θυγατέρες στρουθῶν, ὅτι ἔδωκα ἐν τῇ ἐρήμῳ ὕδωρ καὶ ποταμοὺς ἐν τῇ ἀνύδρῳ ποτίσαι τὸ γένος μου τὸ ἐκλεκτόν,
Возблагословѧ́тъ мѧ̀ ѕвѣ́рїе се́льнїи, сі́рини и҆ дщє́ри стрꙋ́ѳѡвы: ꙗ҆́кѡ да́хъ въ пꙋсты́ни во́дꙋ и҆ рѣ́ки въ безво́днѣй, напои́ти ро́дъ мо́й и҆збра́нный,
20–21(Verses 20-21) The animals of the field will glorify me, the dragons and ostriches; for I have given waters in the wilderness, rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people. I have formed this people for myself; they will proclaim my praise. LXX: The beasts of the field, the sirens, and the daughters of ostriches will bless me, for I have given water in the wilderness and rivers in the dry land, to make my chosen people, my acquired people, drink. They will declare my virtues. Then, what has never been done will be done, so that all beasts and dragons, and ostriches who dwelt in the wilderness of the nations, and those who were like idolatry in their blood and the savagery of beasts, will glorify and praise me. As for the dragons, whom only Theodotius, as it is written in Hebrew, called Thannim (or Al. Thennim), the rest were interpreted as Sirens, monstrous creatures who would throw sailors to be torn apart by the barking Scyllaean dogs with their sweet song and deadly charm. And this means that those who were formerly devoted to pleasure and luxury are converted to the service of the Lord; although it is better to understand it as dragons, because they are joined with ostriches, since he spoke about beasts of the wilderness once, he put these animals, which are familiar in the desert. They will praise me, he says, and the animals of the field will glorify me, and the dragons, and the ostriches, because I gave waters in the desert of the nations, and rivers in the dry land of the peoples, so that my people, whom I have chosen for myself, or my chosen race, and the people whom I have acquired with my blood, may drink, and they may tell my praises and virtues.
Commentary on Isaiah
Second, he shows the usefulness of these benefits for the gentiles: the beast of the field shall glorify me, that is, the gentile, living like a beast, converted to Christ, or seeing how I liberated the Jews: beasts and all cattle: serpents and feathered fowls (Ps 148:10); and for the Jews: to give drink, of teaching and consolation: the Lord your God has chosen you (Deut 7:6).
Commentary on Isaiah
my people whom I have preserved to tell forth my praises.
λαόν μου, ὃν περιεποιησάμην τὰς ἀρετάς μου διηγεῖσθαι.
лю́ди моѧ̑, ꙗ҆̀же снабдѣ́хъ, добродѣ́тєли моѧ̑ повѣ́дати.
God would make a new covenant with people, not such as that which he made with the ancestors at Mount Horeb, and would give to people a new heart and a new spirit. And again [it is written], “And do not remember the things of old: behold I make new things.” [This] plainly announced that liberty that distinguishes the new covenant and the new wine that is put into new bottles, [that is], the faith that is in Christ, by which he has proclaimed the way of righteousness sprung up in the desert and the streams of the Holy Spirit in a dry land, to give water to the elect people of God, whom he has acquired. [This is done] that they might show forth his praise but not that they might blaspheme him who made these things, that is, God.
Against Heresies 4:33.14
Third, he assigns the reason: this people have I formed for myself, namely, for my praise: the Lord has made all things for himself (Prov 16:4).
Commentary on Isaiah
I have not now called thee, O Jacob; neither have I made thee weary, O Israel.
οὐ νῦν ἐκάλεσά σε, ᾿Ιακώβ, οὐδὲ κοπιάσαι σε ἐποίησα, ᾿Ισραήλ.
Не нн҃ѣ призва́хъ тебѐ, і҆а́кѡве, нижѐ трꙋди́тисѧ сотвори́хъ тѧ̀, і҆и҃лю.
22–24For there was no mention at all of such things required from you in the laws of the new covenant that I established through my servant whom I chose. But you did not offer these things to me. If it had been necessary to say such things, you still probably would have done something contrary. “In your sins is your preference” or as the other interpreters put it, “in your sins and in your unrighteous acts you called on me.”
Commentary on Isaiah 2:25
(Verse 22) You did not call upon me, Jacob: you did not labor for me, Israel. LXX: You have not now called, Jacob, nor have I made you labor, Israel. The beasts of the field, dragons and ostriches praising me, you, Jacob, did not want to invoke me, nor afterwards did you labor to amend sin through repentance.
Commentary on Isaiah
22–24In the section we examined and read previously, he delivered a prophecy of the covenant in Christ and the graces bestowed by him, for he said that he would “make a way in the desert and rivers in the dry land,” and because of this he would be blessed by “all the wild animals of the field.” The praise-giving is to be understood as a spiritual sacrifice and fruit of the new covenant in Christ. In the present passage, however, he tries to assure Israel that they had been redeemed from Egypt, rescued from the slavery that they endured there and freed from such intolerable labors, not so that they would offer him calves and thus secure access to him through blood and smoke—for such things are repugnant to God, and shadow rather than reality.That is why he says: “I have not called you now, O Jacob.” The word “now” ought to be understood to mean, “Not when you were offering sacrifices,” that is, “I have not called you when you were sacrificing oxen and slaughtered sheep, so that you should not think that you had been redeemed as a reward for the offerings.” Rather, it was when you were still in sin and guilty of defilement, for you had worshiped the gods of the Egyptians, that I deemed you worthy of mercy and love. So the gift is one of gentleness, and the fruit of loving-kindness is mercy, and the redemption came from love. The sheep of your burnt offering are nothing to me, he says, nor did you glorify me with your sacrifices. After all, how can that which is wholly unacceptable and offered in vain contribute to my glory? You did not serve me with your sacrifices. The one who pursues any good deed, he says, who achieves the character that leads to virtue, who bends his neck in submission to my decrees, who puts the teachings of the prophets into practice, could be said to serve the God who is over all. As for the one who fills the holy tent with incense, who offers oxen or sheep, or who performs successfully any of the other fine actions, that one will not genuinely glorify me. Such a person, in fact, has done nothing at all that pleases me. So then, service does not consist in offering sacrifice, but in being prepared to submit a tender neck, that willingly submits to his wishes. … Everywhere he rejected worship in shadows, leading them away from types, and drawing them to the justification which is in Christ, and teaching them to be refashioned according to the way of life taught by the gospel, by which alone it is possible to do what is pleasing to God, and come to truly blameless and sincere worship—that is, worship that is spiritual. For it says, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Commentary on Isaiah 4:1.43:22-24
22–23But you have not called upon me. Here he excludes the merits of the Jews for attaining such benefits. And concerning this, he does three things: first, he excludes their merit; second, he gives a place for a response: put me in remembrance (Isa 43:26); third, he removes a certain way of responding: your first father (Isa 43:27).
He excludes their merit: you have not called upon me, and all this is said because they did not offer these things to God with their whole heart, but partly to God, partly to idols, or because they offered nothing to God, or because they did so in hope of temporal repayment, or because, after the coming of Christ, they were not accepted: who is there among you, that will shut the doors, and will kindle the fire on my altar gratis (Mal 1:10); shall I eat the flesh of bullocks? Or shall I drink the blood of goats? (Ps 50:13).
Commentary on Isaiah
Thou hast not brought me the sheep of thy whole-burnt-offering; neither hast thou glorified me with thy sacrifices. I have not caused thee to serve with sacrifices, neither have I wearied thee with frankincense.
οὐκ ἐμοὶ ἤνεγκας πρόβατα τῆς ὁλοκαρπώσεώς σου, οὐδὲ ἐν ταῖς θυσίαις σου ἐδόξασάς με· οὐκ ἐδούλωσά σε ἐν θυσίαις, οὐδὲ ἔγκοπον ἐποίησά σε ἐν λιβάνῳ,
Не прине́слъ є҆сѝ мнѣ̀ ѻ҆ве́цъ твои́хъ всесожже́нїѧ твоегѡ̀, ни въ же́ртвахъ твои́хъ просла́вилъ мѧ̀ є҆сѝ, не порабо́тихъ тѧ̀ въ же́ртвахъ, нижѐ ᲂу҆трꙋжде́на сотвори́хъ тѧ̀ въ лїва́нѣ:
23–24(Verses 23-24) You did not offer me the ram of your burnt offering, and you did not glorify me with your sacrifices. I did not make you serve in the offering, nor did I require labor from you in the burning of incense. You did not buy for me fragrant reeds with silver, and you did not satisfy me with the fat of your sacrifices. However, you served me in your sins: you provided labor for me in your iniquities. LXX: You have not brought me the sheep of your holocaust; nor have you magnified me with your sacrifices; nor have you made me serve with your offerings; nor have you bestowed upon me labor with frankincense; nor have you purchased for me with silver the sweet odor of your sacrifices; nor have you desired the fat of your victims; but you have defended yourself in your sins, and in your iniquities. But what you think you offered me as victims and sacrificed rams, know that they were not accepted by me, because they were common to me and idols. And he repeats the sense that he stated above: Why do I need the multitude of your victims, says the Lord? I am full of burnt offerings of rams, and fat of lambs, and blood of bulls and goats I do not desire. For I have not required anything precious from you, that I would make you labor in acquiring them. I have not required offerings from you, nor have I sought incense: not reed, nor incense, nor diverse kinds of pigments, with which you would intoxicate and satisfy me with their smoke. But I desired obedience, which is above sacrifice: and sacrifice, of which David says in the Psalms: Sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit: a broken and humbled heart God does not despise (Ps. 50:19), that is what I wanted, that is what I sought. But you have made me serve and labor in your sins, so that I am compelled to say: I have labored and endured; and I can no longer bear you. And through Hosea, God says the same: What shall I do to you, Ephraim? I will protect you, Israel. What shall I do? I will make you like Adam, and like Sodom. But what the Septuagint has is, I have defended you in your sins, and in your iniquities, so it can be connected to the previous statements, that it is God's labor and weariness to defend sinners.
Commentary on Isaiah
Neither hast thou purchased for me victims for silver, neither have I desired the fat of thy sacrifices: but thou didst stand before me in thy sins, and in thine iniquities.
οὐδὲ ἐκτήσω μοι ἀργυρίου θυμίαμα, οὐδὲ τὸ στέαρ τῶν θυσιῶν σου ἐπεθύμησα, ἀλλὰ ἐν ταῖς ἁμαρτίαις σου καὶ ἐν ταῖς ἀδικίαις σου προέστην σου.
не кꙋпи́лъ є҆сѝ мнѣ̀ на сребро̀ ѳѷмїа́ма, нижѐ тꙋ́ка тре́бъ твои́хъ возжела́хъ, но во грѣсѣ́хъ твои́хъ ста́лъ є҆сѝ предо мно́ю и҆ въ непра́вдахъ твои́хъ.
But because sweat is usually wiped away from workers by a cloth, the labor of God can also be expressed by the name of cloth—He who indeed always remains quiet and unchangeable in Himself, yet nevertheless declares that He labors when He bears the harsh depravities of men. Whence He also says through the prophet: "I have labored in enduring." Now God appeared in the flesh, He labored from our infirmity. When unbelievers saw this labor of His passion, they refused to venerate Him. For they disdained to believe that He whom they saw mortal in the flesh was immortal in His divinity.
Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 22
Second, he shows their guilt: but you have made me to serve with your sins, as if to say: you showed me to be servile when you offended me and I did not punish you, above: they are become troublesome to me, I am weary of bearing them (Isa 1:14); he speaks in a human manner.
Commentary on Isaiah
I, [even] I, am he that blots out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and thy sins; and I will not remember [them].
ἐγώ εἰμι, ὁ ἐξαλείφων τὰς ἀνομίας σου ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ καὶ τὰς ἁμαρτίας σου καὶ οὐ μὴ μνησθήσομαι.
А҆́зъ є҆́смь, а҆́зъ є҆́смь заглажда́ѧй беззакѡ́нїѧ твоѧ̑ менє̀ ра́ди и҆ грѣхѝ твоѧ̑, и҆ не помѧнꙋ̀.
For now the devil urges us to sin and also accuses us when we do sin. If, therefore, in this life we anticipate him and are ourselves our own accusers, we escape the wickedness of the devil, our enemy and our accuser.… Does he [the prophet] not evidently show the mystery that we are dealing with when he says, “you speak first” to show you that you ought to anticipate him who was prepared to accuse you?
Homilies on Leviticus 3:4.5
You have blotted it out, indeed, in your hearts and minds, but the Word of God is not blotted out, the Holy Spirit is not blotted out but turns away from impious minds. It is not grace but iniquity that is blotted out; for it is written, “I am he, I am he who blots out your iniquities.”
On the Holy Spirit 3.10.61
We must always have these sins before our eyes, so we may be purified from them. And though God, by clemency, forgives you every sin, yet you, for the safety of your soul, must always have the sin before your eyes. For the memory of past sins hinders future ones; and one who is bitten by his past sins demonstrates the will to be steadfast about the next ones. For David says, “And my sin is ever before me,” in order to have the past ones before his eyes and not to fall into future ones. That God demands this firm stance from us, listen to him say, “I am the one who blots out your sins, and I will not remember them; you, however, remember them, and we shall settle accounts, says the Lord. First state your sin so you may be justified.” … Time does not excuse; rather, the manner of the repentant individual erases the sin.
Homilies on Repentance and Almsgiving 7:4.11-12
Groan bitterly, sacrifice confession (for, he says, “Declare first your transgressions that you may be justified”), sacrifice contrition of heart. These victims turn not to ashes or dissolve into smoke or melt into air. They do not need wood and fire but only a deep-pricked heart. This is wood; this is fire to burn, yet not consume them. For one who prays with earnestness is burned yet not consumed, but like gold that is tested by fire becomes brighter.
Homilies on 2 Corinthians 5:4
God does not wait for time to elapse after repentance. You stated your sin, you are justified. You repented, you have been shown mercy. Time does not excuse; rather, the manner of the repentant individual erases the sin. One individual may wait a long time and not gain salvation, and another, who confesses genuinely, is stripped of the sin inside a short time.
Homilies on Repentance and Almsgiving 7:4.12
25–28(Verse 25, 26 and following) I am, I am myself, who blots out your iniquities for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins. Bring me to remembrance, let us argue together; set forth your case, that you may be proved right. Your first ancestor sinned, and your interpreters transgressed against me. And I profaned the princes of the sanctuary, and delivered Jacob to destruction and Israel to reviling. LXX: I am, I am he who blots out your iniquities, and I will not remember. But remember, and let us argue together. Declare your iniquities first, that you may be justified. Your fathers have sinned, and your princes have dealt unjustly with me, and they have defiled my holy ones. And I gave up Jacob to destruction and Israel to reviling. You, Jacob and Israel, you have caused me to labor in your sins, and I could barely bear the burden of your iniquities. I do not call you my servants or slaves, but I address you simply by the names Jacob and Israel, so that I may show and prove your sins. But I, because I am kind and patient, and have many mercies, will wipe away all your iniquities in the sprinkling of the blood of the new Testament: I will wipe away the old handwriting, which was written against you; and I will no longer remember your sins, which I am willing to forgive you, if you believe, in baptism. Therefore, bring me to remembrance: if you have any just thing to answer to me, I will gladly accept it, so that we may be judged together, and you may accuse me of not doing what I should have done for you. Whom we find fuller in understanding than in Micha, saying: My people, what have I done to you, and how have I harmed you? Answer me: for I brought you out of the land of Egypt and freed you from the house of slavery, and I sent Moses and Aaron and Miriam before your face. And in the fiftieth Psalm David speaks to God: That you may be justified in your words, and may overcome when you are judged (Ps. 50:5). Therefore, tell me if you have anything, so that you may be justified. And the meaning is: I will not speak against you first, lest you claim to be overwhelmed by the multiplication of words; but if you have anything just to say, speak for yourself; so that you may seem to endure the things you suffer unworthily. And so that you may know that I have mercy on you, not because of your merit, but because of my compassion, I will repeat it from your fathers and ancestors, so that you may understand that you were born from sinners: Your father first sinned in solitude: namely, the entire people of Israel. Whether Abraham, the founder of your race, is shown to have sinned when, in response to the Lord's promise to give the land of promise to his descendants, he asked, 'How shall I know that I am to possess it?' And of your interpreters, he says, 'they have acted unfaithfully toward me' (Gen. XV, 8). Aaron and Moses at the waters of contradiction, when they were speaking between me and the Israelites (Exod. XVII). And so that we may understand this is not a forced interpretation, it is followed by the statement, 'And I have defiled the holy princes,' concerning whom it is said in the psalm, 'Their rulers were swallowed up by the rock' (Ps. CXL, 6). He says that they contaminated themselves on purpose because they did not enter the promised land. He devoted Jacob and Israel to destruction and blasphemy, so that no one except two of those who had come out of Egypt would enter into Judah, but their bodies would lie in the wilderness. According to the Septuagint, who added from their own: You speak first of your own iniquities, so that you may be justified. God calls them to repentance, so that they may understand their crimes and sins, and obtain forgiveness. For it is written in another place: 'He who pleads his own cause in the beginning of his speech is just' (Prov. XVIII, 17). And their leaders and fathers are said to have violated the holy things of the Lord, not obeying the Law of God, but seeking the traditions and commandments of men. Because of them Jacob perished, and Israel was given into reproach, expelled from his own province, and became an exile and wanderer throughout the whole world.
Commentary on Isaiah
All truth is justice. In the confessing of what is the case, there is justice. He speaks the truth, that sinners who justify themselves by their faults cannot be justified. And in this way one is called truly just in that confessing one’s own sin, he asks them to be accounted to himself yet begs God for mercy. For he knows that it is stated in the law, “Confess your sins, and you will be justified.” What does it mean “to confess at the start of speaking” unless “to speak freely and not just when forced to”? For who (even one who fears God) is without sin, since faults get mixed into thinking and unconsciously we sin in so many ways?
Questions on the Old Testament 30
“Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Whoever, therefore, desires to obtain the forgiveness of sins should strive to use these methods. The obstinacy of a hardened heart should turn no one away from a salutary healing and from the source of so great mercy, for even if we did all these things they would not be ineffective for the expiation of our crimes unless the goodness and mercy of the Lord destroyed them. When he has seen the services of a devout effort rendered by us with a humble mind, he supplements these feeble and small efforts with his own measureless generosity, as he says: “I am the one who destroys your iniquities for my own sake, and I will not keep record of your sins.” - "Conference 20.8.8-9"
“Forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors.” Whoever then desires to obtain forgiveness of sins, should strive to use these means. Let not the stubbornness of an obdurate heart turn away any from the saving remedy and the source of so much goodness, because even if we have done all these things, they will not be able to expiate our offences, unless they are blotted out by the goodness and mercy of the Lord, who when he sees us engaged in pious efforts with a humble heart, supports our small and puny efforts with the utmost bounty, and says: “I even I am the one that blots out your iniquities for my own sake, and I will remember your sins no more.”
Conference 20:8
Do not forget your errors, God says, but keep them firmly in your memory so that you will always recognize how great are my benefits. In this way you will avoid committing the same misdeeds. Now since he has mentioned judgment and that fear is an appropriate response, he teaches them who would learn the way of victory. “You be the first to confess your sins, so as to be justified.” I do not want to overcome you, but rather I long for the opposite. Learn how it is possible for you to overcome; confess first your errors, and I will grant you pardon. I will judge you if you attempt to hide something from me. If you confess, I will forgive.
Commentary on Isaiah 13:43.26
Nature is too weak to gain righteousness by works. For the human disposition is inclined toward evil from an early age, as David clearly says, “If you kept record of our transgressions, who would stand? For with you there is atonement.” For I myself am merciful, and I wish that those in trouble remember their Savior and give him thanks through all things. For this is what the saints do.… And do not be ashamed to confess your sins. For the Pharisee did not do so, and he was condemned. But the tax collector did so, and he was justified. …“You transgressed against me”—this is given great force. For it is not a transgression against humanity or created nature. For the idolater rejects the divine nature as he robs the same of its transcendence and glory, which are to be worshiped. As God says in Jeremiah, “Why have you spoken to me? You have all acted unrighteously and impiously toward me,” says the Lord Almighty.
Commentary on Isaiah 43:14-28
Though this type of argument seems without resort and bereft of human force in court trials here on earth, before God it is invested with invincible protection. Only confession of faith can acquit the person whom no arguments defend. Such a course is permitted to those who truly repent, who in seeking pardon for themselves strive instead to condemn their own actions. This is what Isaiah too advises: “Speak first of your iniquities that you may be justified.”
Exposition of Psalm 6:2
Third, he shows that the benefit is given freely: I am: for your name's sake, O Lord, you will pardon my sin (Ps 25:11); it is not for your sake that I will do this (Ezek 36:22).
Commentary on Isaiah
But do thou remember, and let us plead [together]: do thou first confess thy transgressions, that thou mayest be justified.
σὺ δὲ μνήσθητι καὶ κριθῶμεν· λέγε σὺ τὰς ἀνομίας σου πρῶτος, ἵνα δικαιωθῇς.
Ты́ же помѧнѝ, и҆ да сꙋ́димсѧ: глаго́ли ты̀ беззакѡ́нїѧ твоѧ̑ пре́жде, да ѡ҆правди́шисѧ.
And it is ours to flee to God. And let us endeavor after this ceaselessly and energetically. For he says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” And prayer and confession with humility are voluntary acts. Therefore it is enjoined, “First tell your sins, that you may be justified.” What afterwards we shall obtain, and what we shall be, it is not for us to judge.
Fragments Found in Greek Only in the Oxford Edition
Do you wish that I shall speak of the ways of repentance? They are many and various and different, and all lead to heaven. The first way of repentance is condemnation of sins. “First declare your sins, that you may be justified.”
Concerning the Power of Demons 2:6
We are just when we acknowledge that we are sinners, and our justice depends not on our personal merit but rather on the mercy of God, as holy Scripture says: “The just is an accuser of himself in the beginning of his plea.” And in another place, “State your sins, that you may be justified.”
Against the Pelagians 1.13
Put me in remembrance. Here he gives a place for a response: put me in remembrance, as if to say: consider what I have done for you, tell if you have any thing, to excuse yourself, or to accuse me, to justify yourself, that is, that you should be judged to be just: if you have any thing to say, answer me, speak: for I would have you to appear just (Job 33:32).
We ought to put God in remembrance, as to the wonders which he has done, that we should worship: remember his marvelous works which he has done (Ps 105:5); the benefits which he has given, that we should give thanks: I remembered your mercy (Sir 51:11–12); the torments he sustained, that we should feel compassion: remember my poverty (Lam 3:19); the precepts which he gave, that we should observe them: they are mindful of his commandments to do them (Ps 103:18).
Commentary on Isaiah
Your fathers first, and your princes have transgressed against me.
οἱ πατέρες ὑμῶν πρῶτοι καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες ὑμῶν ἠνόμησαν εἰς ἐμέ,
Ѻ҆тцы̀ ва́ши пе́рвїи согрѣши́ша, и҆ кнѧ̑зи ва́ши беззако́нноваша на мѧ̀.
[The Lord] has proclaimed these words in addressing those who were in Babylon. It is not I, he says, who am the cause of these misfortunes, but your ancestors, and your priests, who have transgressed my laws. Their iniquity has transformed the renown of Israel to an object of shame.
Commentary on Isaiah 13:43.27
Your first father sinned. Here he removes a certain way of responding. For they could allege the innocence of their fathers; but against this, he says, your first father, Adam (Gen 3), Abraham, asking for a sign of the promise of God, as though doubting (Gen 15:8); your teachers, Moses and Aaron at the waters of contradiction (Num 20).
Commentary on Isaiah
And the princes have defiled my sanctuaries: so I gave Jacob [to enemies] to destroy, and Israel to reproach.
καὶ ἐμίαναν οἱ ἄρχοντες τὰ ἅγιά μου, καὶ ἔδωκα ἀπολέσαι ᾿Ιακὼβ καὶ ᾿Ισραὴλ εἰς ὀνειδισμόν.
И҆ ѡ҆скверни́ша кнѧ̑зи ст҃а̑ѧ моѧ̑, и҆ да́хъ погꙋби́ти і҆а́кѡва и҆ і҆и҃лѧ во ᲂу҆кори́знꙋ.
“Your princes profaned the sanctuary.” Those who were from the house of Manasseh profaned the sanctuary with the four-faced idol, which they placed inside the sanctuary. Because of those crimes, and in particular because of Manasseh’s crime, “I have given Jacob to the curse, and Israel to reviling.”
Commentary on Isaiah 43:28
And I have profaned the holy princes, that is, I have allowed them to be profaned; I have given Jacob to slaughter, for they all died in the desert, except for Caleb and Joshua: we have sinned with our fathers (Ps 106:6).
Commentary on Isaiah
And now thus saith the Lord God that made thee, O Jacob, and formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee [by] thy name; thou art mine.
ΚΑΙ νῦν οὕτως λέγει Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ὁ ποιήσας σε, ᾿Ιακώβ, ὁ πλάσας σε, ᾿Ισραήλ· μὴ φοβοῦ, ὅτι ἐλυτρωσάμην σε· ἐκάλεσά σε τὸ ὄνομά σου, ἐμὸς εἶ σύ.
И҆ нн҃ѣ си́це гл҃етъ гдⷭ҇ь бг҃ъ сотвори́вый тѧ̀, і҆а́кѡве, и҆ созда́вый тѧ̀, і҆и҃лю: не бо́йсѧ, ꙗ҆́кѡ и҆зба́вихъ тѧ̀, прозва́хъ тѧ̀ и҆́менемъ твои́мъ: мо́й є҆сѝ ты̀.