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But I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first charity.
St. Bede
love. In the person of some, thou hast forsaken the love which began at first, and if they do not regain it, I will deprive them of the promised reward of light. But in others, thou hatest the examples of evil men, idolatry, that is, and fornication, for these are the deeds of the Nicolaitans, as is shewn in what follows.
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St. Beatus of Liébana
Indeed, thus He says in this part to the angel, “But I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first charity.”
[Apringius:] ‘He makes one person of all the sinners who, in the Catholic Church, are bound to lay aside their various errors. And pleading with them, He shows that they are forgetful of the charity of their prior faith; they were roped in by many vices.’ For as God forbid He might say to them in this part, “I have somewhat against thee” — rather He praises those to whom He says, “thou hast patience, and hast endured for My Name, and hast not fainted.” Therefore, it is also true (and fittingly so) that he who has patience and does not fail cannot forsake delight, when God is delight. From which are clearly shown the two parts in one Body: one persevering, another transgressing. _____________________________________________________________
St. Thomas Aquinas
Accordingly the charity of the blessed, because it entirely fills the potentiality of the rational mind, since every actual movement of that mind is directed to God, is possessed by its subject inseparably: whereas the charity of the wayfarer does not so fill the potentiality of its subject, because the latter is not always actually directed to God: so that when it is not actually directed to God, something may occur whereby charity is lost. Charity by reason of its act excludes every motive for sinning. But it happens sometimes that charity is not acting actually, and then it is possible for a motive to intervene for sinning, and if we consent to this motive, we lose charity. [St. Thomas Aquinas Summa Theologica]
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Bulus al-Bushi
This means the first warmth that moves within us through the grace of God, but which one abandons.
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Nicholas of Lyra
But I have somewhat against thee Here the correction is added, and so that the commendation is carried better, it is added at this place: But I have somewhat Concerning the first it is said: But I have somewhat against thee The defect must be corrected which is added when it is said: left thy first charity That is, the works of charity which you had at the beginning of your conversion. thou hast left What was said above appears here, namely, that the word of God is directed to the bishop not only himself but also for the people under him. Since Timothy was Paul’s special and favored disciple, it is likely not that be became deficient in spiritualities but, rather, that he became more proficient. Therefore, this concerns the people under him. They were accustomed to sustain the poor Chrisitans fervently and devotedly; they sent alms to the faithful living in Jerusalem and had sold their possessions to support those believeing in Christ, as is clear in Acts 4, and this fervor had grown cold. Therefore, it does not say that the Church had simply abandoned charity, but, the first, that is, the level of fervor held earlier.
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Rupert of Deutz
As if he should say. This indeed is in thy favor, and acts in thy favor, that thou this work; yet this is against thee, that in this work thou hast left thy first love. For the first, that is, the principal good, is charity; which is also, according to the apostle, the more excellent way. This is almost the one only sign of perfection, and the testimony of true virtue, as elsewhere is said: 'In this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye love one another.' By this sign was Stephen, the first martyr, known; for when in his own labor and patience he could not endure the evil whom he had found guilty and convicted as liars, such patience he possessed, such endurance for the name of God, that when dying he prayed for them and said, 'Lord, lay not this sin to their charge,' &c.
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Haydock Bible
Thou has left thy first charity, or first fervour, a common, yet a very dangerous disposition, and especially in a bishop, charged with the care of those under him.
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