Ambrose of Milan — Commentary on Scripture

Christ was made our sanctification, not so that he might change what he was but that he might sanctify us in the flesh.

As you receive everything, call upon God for everything. What you have is from God. Always acknowledge that you are his debtor.

ON THEODOSIUS 22

1 Corinthians 4:9

And so he who was a good athlete said: "We are made a spectacle to this world and to Angels." Worthy indeed was he to be gazed upon by Angels, when he was striving to attain the prize of Christ, when he was striving to lead on earth the life of Angels, and overcome the wickedness of spirits in heaven, for he wrestled with spiritual wickedness. Rightly did the world gaze upon him, that it might imitate him.

Epistle 63, 71

1 Corinthians 4:21

First he made mention of the rod, and like the almond rod struck those who were wandering, that he might afterwards comfort them in the spirit of meekness. And so meekness restored him whom the rod had deprived of the heavenly sacraments.

Letter 41, 4

1 Corinthians 6:18

And therefore the Apostle says: Flee from fornication; so that by a swift flight, we may avoid the cruelty of the raging mistress and be able to escape from her foul service.

On Cain and Abel, 20

1 Corinthians 7:34

"The unmarried woman and the virgin think of the things of the Lord, that they may be holy in body and spirit." She has then her wall against the tempests of this world, and so fortified by the defence of divine protection she is disturbed by none of the blasts of this world.

Epistle 63, 38

1 Corinthians 7:38

The one is bound by the chains of marriage, the other is free from chains; the one is under the Law, the other under Grace. Marriage is good, for thereby the means of continuing the human race has been devised, but virginity is better, for thereby the heritage of the heavenly kingdom is regained, and the mode of attaining to heavenly rewards discovered.

Letters 41-50, Letter 42, 3

1 Corinthians 8:6

Who, then, would dare to deny the oneness of Name, when he sees the oneness of the working. But why should I maintain the unity of the Name by arguments, when there is the plain testimony of the Divine Voice that the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is one? For it is written: "Go, baptize all nations in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." He said, "in the Name," not "in the Names." So, then, the Name of the Father is not one, that of the Son another, and that of the Holy Spirit another, for God is one; the Names are not more than one, for there are not two Gods, or three Gods.

On the Holy Spirit, Book 1, 132

1 Corinthians 8:6

In saying, then, "through Him," has he denied that all things were made in Him, through Whom he says that all things exist? These words, "in Him" and "with Him," have this force, that by them is understood one and like in all respects, not contrary. Which he also made clear farther on, saying: "All things have been created through Him and in Him;" for, as we said above, Scripture witnesses that these three expressions, "with Him," and "through Him," and "in Him," are equivalent in Christ.

On the Holy Spirit, Book 3, 84

1 Corinthians 9:17

Surely it is better to merit a reward than to serve as a steward. Let us not be bound by the yoke of slavery, but let us serve in charity of spirit.

LETTER 47

1 Corinthians 9:22

He who did not think it robbery to be equal with God took the nature of a slave. He became all things to all men to bring salvation to all. Paul, an imitator of him, lived as if outside the law while remaining accountable to the law. He spent his life for the advantage of those he wished to win. He willingly became weak for the weak in order to strengthen them. He ran the race to overtake them.

Letter 37 (To Simplician)

1 Corinthians 9:25

You are an athlete. Come to grips with your opponent, not with your head but with your arms.

The Six Days of Creation, Book 6, Chapter 1

1 Corinthians 9:26

And so Paul, like a good athlete, not only knew how to avoid the blows of opposing powers, but also how to strike back. Therefore he says: I beat my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. And so, like a good athlete, he deserved to reach the crown.

On Paradise, Chapter 12, 56

1 Corinthians 9:26

As a wrestler therefore he enters the lists last of all; he raises his eyes to heaven, he sees that even the heavenly creation was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope. He sees that the whole creation groaneth in pain together, waiting for redemption. He sees that labour awaits us all. He raises his eyes, he sees the circlets of lights, he surveys the orbs of the moon and stars: For the just, who overcome, shall be as the stars in heaven. And he chastises his body, that it may not be his enemy in the combat, he anoints it with the oil of mercy, he exercises it with daily trials of virtue, he smears himself with dust, he runs to the goal of the course but not as uncertainly, he aims his blows, he darts forth his arms, but not into empty space. Thus the earth is man's trial-ground, heaven is his crown.

Letter 49, 5-6

1 Corinthians 10:3

What we eat, what we drink, the Holy Spirit expresses to you elsewhere, saying; “Taste and see that the Lord is sweet. Blessed is the one who trusts in him.” Christ is in that sacrament, because the body is Christ’s. So the food is not corporeal but spiritual.

On the Mysteries 56

1 Corinthians 10:3

All those who ate that bread [manna] died in the desert, but this food which you receive, this “living bread which came down from heaven,” furnishes the energy for eternal life. Whoever eats this bread “will not die forever,” for it is the body of Christ. … That manna was subject to corruption if kept for a second day. This is foreign to every corruption. Whoever tastes it in a holy manner shall not be able to feel corruption. For them water flowed from the rock. For you blood flows from Christ. Water satisfied them for the hour. Blood satisfies you for eternity.

On the Mysteries 8.48

1 Corinthians 10:4

This surely referred not to his divinity but to his flesh, which flowed over the hearts of the thirsting people with the perpetual stream of his blood.

On the Holy Spirit 1.2

1 Corinthians 10:17

Wherefore every soul which receives that bread which comes down from heaven is the house of bread, that is, the Bread of Christ, being nourished and supported and having its heart strengthened by that heavenly bread which dwells within it. Hence Paul also says, For we being many are one bread. Every faithful soul is Bethlehem, as Jerusalem also is said to be, which has the peace and tranquillity of that Jerusalem which is above, in heaven. That is the true Bread which, when broken into pieces, fed all men.

Letter 63

1 Corinthians 11:3

This is a warning that no one ought to rely on oneself. She who was made as a helper needs the protection of the stronger. In this sense “the head of the woman is the man.” Yet while he believed that he would have the assistance of his wife, he fell because of her. Hence no one ought to entrust himself lightly to another unless he has first put that person’s virtue to the test. Neither should he claim for himself in the role of protector one whom he believes is lesser to his strength. Rather, each one should share his special grace with the other. Especially is this true of the man, who is in the position of greater strength, who plays the part of protector.

On Paradise, 4.24

1 Corinthians 11:14

One act is becoming to a man, another to a woman.… How unsightly it is for a man to act like a woman!

LETTER 78