Divine Will and the Manner of Teaching

Now what is being proclaimed is this: it is until the continuous end; for 'until' means being sent along with all time up to this point. He says that the kingdom of the heavens comes by force to those to whom it comes, because it is necessary by force to grasp bodily nature and to be held together by spirit, having died to the world but living to God, which thing law and prophets did not yet have (Mt 11:14).

And he says that Elijah is John according to the power and the spirit of Elijah. And since what was being said was unclear, it was left to those capable of understanding the knowledge. This also the angel Gabriel said concerning him: 'and he will go out before him in the spirit and power of Elijah,' showing this one to be so, even if the one seen was a different person (Mt 11:14).

Instead of 'that all things had happened justly'; for from which he repented some, it was being shown not idly nor in vain that the things having happened were fulfilled; for this is the justifying of wisdom, to receive the presence of wisdom as its own, just as children. And wisdom is also justified from works, according to wisdoms being performed, or from words (Mt 11:19).

'And you,' he says, 'Capernaum, resisting the honor and undergoing judgment' (Mt 11:23). Foreseeing the transition of the Word to the nations because of the disobedience of Israel, he praises and glorifies the Father on our behalf, the ones who shall be benefited. And he gives thanks to his Father and to the Lord of heaven and earth, the Lord being in symmetry with the slaves and offering thanks for the things of slaves toward a Master.

And he says, according to the pleasure of the Father, that the mystery concerning him should be hidden from Israel, the wise nation, but be revealed to the foolish nations first. Through which it is shown both that the coming did not fail to encounter God, nor did the presence of Christ fail the intended purpose, but these things happened because God had forewarned and having pre-ordained the plan of grace...

The justice of God's good pleasure is kept silent here, but is shown in another way. For the good pleasure of God is not irrational, nor do men attain knowledge and wisdom in any other way than through themselves.

If the yoke is kind and the burden light (Mt 11:30), how did he call it a 'narrow' 'way'? It is narrow for the reckless, for the earnest find the commands of the Lord to be light; for even if there is a little bodily toil, the God-fearing man, now being nourished by good hopes, bears these things.

Having examined the bitter ones, they demonstrate them to be not philanthropists against those who do no wrong (Mt 12:7). Therefore also he remembers the prophetic word, which prefers showing mercy over sacrifice.

And you, man, if you have a withered hand, having heard from the Savior: stretch out your hand while Jesus is working at good deeds, and it shall be restored to health like the other (Mt 12:13).

Those teaching in the marketplaces do not do this for the sake of benefit, but of pride and also of vainglory. Therefore, they fail in the purpose of teaching and in being slandered by all. Thus the Savior teaches us not by word alone, but also by manner, neither shouting nor making a show and publishing faults; for it is so harmful for us to be disposed in this way, whereas the opposite is both most useful and most profitable.

Again, the power to cast out demons by the Spirit (Mt 12:28) is as much possible for a man to have without being turned aside, according to the economy. If the energy of the Spirit is the kingdom of God, I do not by any means think the Spirit to be an addition to the divinity, being brought in from the servile creation into the construction of the divine kingdom.

He says that blasphemy against God is unpardonable regarding the name of the Spirit (Mt 12:31-32), but says that blasphemy against God, not having forgiveness, is an insult; for it has something against itself in comparison to that, as has been thought and...