ANF01. The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus

Chapter XXXVI.—All blessings are given to us through Christ.

This is the way, beloved, in which we find our Saviour,¹⁵³¹⁵³    Literally, “that which saves us.” even Jesus Christ, the High Priest of all our offerings, the defender and helper of our infirmity. By Him we look up to the heights of heaven. By Him we behold, as in a glass, His immaculate and most excellent visage. By Him are the eyes of our hearts opened. By Him our foolish and darkened understanding blossoms¹⁵⁴¹⁵⁴    Or, “rejoices to behold.” up anew towards His marvellous light. By Him the Lord has willed that we should taste of immortal 15 knowledge,¹⁵⁵¹⁵⁵    Or, “knowledge of immortality.” “who, being the brightness of His majesty, is by so much greater than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”¹⁵⁶¹⁵⁶    Heb. i. 3, 4. For it is thus written, “Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.”¹⁵⁷¹⁵⁷    Ps. civ. 4; Heb. i. 7. But concerning His Son¹⁵⁸¹⁵⁸    Some render, “to the Son.” the Lord spoke thus: “Thou art my Son, to-day have I begotten Thee. Ask of Me, and I will give Thee the heathen for Thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for Thy possession.”¹⁵⁹¹⁵⁹    Ps. ii. 7, 8; Heb. i. 5. And again He saith to Him, “Sit Thou at My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool.”¹⁶⁰¹⁶⁰    Ps. cx. 1; Heb. i. 13. But who are His enemies? All the wicked, and those who set themselves to oppose the will of God.¹⁶¹¹⁶¹    Some read, “who oppose their own will to that of God.”