Who can conceive of such a miracle? Who can mentally grasp such great glory? … All participate with Christ in judgment who do not oppose his commands, for with the devoted they too will share in his decisions. .
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? Some think that angels here means priests, and they refer to Malachi 2:7, "For he is the angel of the Lord of hosts," spoken of the priest. But this is foreign to the mind of S. Paul, and therefore the Fathers unanimously take it literally.
Observe that, as Chrysostom, Theodoret, Ambrose, and Anselm say, it is the day of general judgment that is here spoken of.
Hence it follows (1.) that at that day not only men but angels, both good and bad, are to be judged. Chrysostom, Theophylact, Theodoret, Anselm understand this passage to refer to evil angels; for there is one Church of angels and men, and one Head and Judges , even Christ. Such a judgment tends to display publicly the Divine righteousness, and the honour due to the angels.
It follows (2.) that this judgment is not such an one as is spoken of in S. Matthew 12:41, where it is said that the Queen of the South and the Ninevites should rise up in the judgment and condemn that generation o...
Some say that here the priests are hinted at, but away with this. His speech is about demons. For had he been speaking about corrupt priests, he would have meant them above when he said, the world is judged in you: (for the Scripture is wont to call evil men also The world:) and he would not have said the same thing twice, nor would he, as if he was saying something of greater consequence, have put it down afterwards. But he speaks concerning those angels about whom Christ says, Depart ye into the fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41 And Paul, his angels fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness. 2 Corinthians 11:15 For when the very incorporeal powers shall be found inferior to us who are clothed with flesh, they shall suffer heavier punishment.
But if some should still contend that he speaks of priests, What sort of priests? let us ask. Those whose walk in life has been worldly, of course. In what sense then does he say, We shall judge angels, ...
Paul is not talking here about real angels but about the priests and teachers of the people who will be judged by the saints because of their false teaching about Christ. .
Who is destined to be the judge of angels.
In man have been overthrown, so many marks of the condemnation which formerly was his own erased. He grieves that that sinner, (now) Christ's servant, is destined to judge him and his angels.
Sure they were that all ostentation, and ambition, and love of pleasing by carnal means, was displeasing to God. And these are the angels whom we are destined to judge:.
"Know ye not that we are to judge angels? "
