From the early Church Fathers to now.
3 Patristic witnesses · 1 Orthodox witness
“"For this is the message which we heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." He has made it manifest to us that it is of this he speaks; whoso acts against this commandment, is in that accursed sin, into which those fall who are not born of God.”
“But on the other hand, others are not forward to support their needy brethren with things; but only to cherish them with soft words. Which persons the holy preaching of James strongly rebukes, saying, If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled: notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body: what shall it profit you? Which persons the Apostle also admonishes, saying, My little children, Let us not love in word, neither in tongue: but in deed and in truth. For our loving affection must always be shewn forth at once by respectfulness of speech, and by the service of almsgiving.”
“For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that you should love one another. The Lord saying: This is my commandment, that you love one another (John XV).”
“The Apostle confirms by example how great an evil it is to hate one's brother. Look, he says, Cain hated his brother and killed him, despite the fact that he was his own brother. Cain performed the evil deeds of his father the devil, while Abel, doing righteousness, was a son in relation to God. Here the devil is contrasted with God, and evil deeds with good ones. For this reason Cain, being the opposite of his brother, killed him. Such is the explanation according to the course of the discourse. But the Apostle John altered this order, having a special purpose. For after he had mentioned the devil and the fact that those who do evil become his children, it was natural for him to set forth as an example the one who at the beginning of the world hastened to become a son of the devil through evil deeds. Having said what was necessary about Cain and about the fate inherited by those who imitate him, he again turns to love.”
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