Now henceforward he is hastening and in pangs to enter upon the doctrine, neither accusing them, nor clearing them of accusation. I strive, he says. To what end? That they may be knit together. What he means is something like this; that they may stand firm in the faith. He does not however so express himself; but extenuates the matter of accusation. That is, that they may be united with love, not with necessity nor with force. For as I have said, he always avoids offending, by leaving it to themselves; and therefore striving, because I wish it to be with love, and willingly. For I do not wish it to be with the lips merely, nor merely that they shall be brought together, but that their hearts may be comforted. Being knit together in love unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding. That is, that they may doubt about nothing, that they may be fully assured in all things. But I meant full assurance which is by faith, for there is a full assurance which comes by arguments, but that is worthy of no consideration. I know, he says, that you believe, but I would have you fully assured: not unto riches only, but unto all riches; that your full assurance may be intense, as well as in all things. And observe the wisdom of this blessed one. He said not, You do ill that you are not fully assured, nor accused them; but, you know not how desirous I am that you may be fully assured, and not merely so, but with understanding. For seeing he spoke of faith; suppose not, he says, that I meant barely and unprofitably, but with understanding and love. That they may know the mystery of God the Father and of Christ. So that this is the mystery of God, the being brought unto Him by the Son. And of Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. But if they are in Him, then wisely also no doubt He came at this time. Wherefore then do some foolish persons object to Him, See how He discourses with the simpler sort. In whom are all the treasures. He himself knows all things. Hid, for think not in truth that you already have all; they are hidden also even from Angels, not, from you only; so that you ought to ask all things from Him. He himself gives wisdom and knowledge. Now by saying, treasures, he shows their largeness, by All, that He is ignorant of nothing, by hid, that He alone knows.
Author: William MacDonald
