Theophylact of Ohrid, on 2Tim 2:19

“But the sure foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal: the Lord knoweth who are his; and let every one depart from iniquity who nameth the name of the Lord.”

“Here is what the apostle says: not all were led astray, but the unsteady ones. And if they had not been such, they would not have fallen away either. Just as Adam too was not firm before the temptation. Those perfectly inspired in the faith stand firm and immovable. And notice, he says "firm," and: "foundation." Thus we ought to hold fast to the faith. That is, just as inscriptions are carved on a stone, so too in his very deeds are imprinted the signs that point to him, namely: "the Lord knows" and so forth. That is, these people or such souls are foreknown by God as belonging entirely to Him, and are fore-chosen so that they would not be led astray together with the weaker ones. By "unrighteousness" the apostle means either error in doctrines or injustice in general. He who acts unjustly has no foundation, does not belong to God. For how can he belong to God, when God is righteous? He does not have the seal. Consider: if he who names the name of the Lord must depart from unrighteousness, then he who does not depart is unworthy to name His name. For praise is not fitting in the mouth of a sinner.”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.