And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
All Commentaries on Luke 18:18 Go To Luke 18
Theophilus of Antioch
AD 184
The law first forbids those things to which we are most prone, as adultery for instance, the incitement to which is within us, and of our nature; and murder, because rage is a great and savage monster. But theft and bearing false witness are sins which men seldom fall into. And besides, the former also are the more grievous sins, therefore He places theft and bearing false witness in the second place, as bothless common, and of less weight than the other.
Because sin against parents, although a great crime, very rarely happens, He places it last of all, Honor your father and mother.
Hence when he says, All that you have, He inculcates the most complete poverty. For if there is any thing left over or remaining to you, you are its slave.
Together with poverty must exist all the other virtues, therefore He says, Come, follow me, that is, In all other things be My disciples, be always following Me.
