While it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power? why have you conceived this thing in your heart? you have not lied unto men, but unto God.
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Ambrose of Milan
AD 397
You have not lied to men, but to God:
First, we understand that he called the Holy Spirit the Spirit of the Lord (vv 3;9). Then, since he mentioned first the Holy Spirit and added: “You have not lied to men but unto God,” you must necessarily either understand the oneness of the Godhead in the Holy Spirit, since when the Holy Spirit is tempted a lie is told to God; or, if you endeavour to exclude the oneness of the Godhead, you yourself according to the words of Scripture certainly believe Him to be God.
Did it not remain to thee? That is, no one forced thee to make such a promise.
And being sold, was it not in thy power, and at thy free disposal, before such a promise? but promises and vows must be kept. Thou hast not lied to men, but to God, by lying to the Holy Spirit. (Witham)
Thou hast not lied to men, only and principally, but to God also; for he had also lied to Peter, and the other apostles. (Menochius)
"If it displeased God "says St. Augustine, "to withdraw part of the money they had vowed to God, how is he angry, when chastity is vowed and not performed! . let not such persons think to be condemned to corporal death, but to everlasting fire. "(Serm. x. de divers is.)
St. Gregory, on this same subject, says: "Ananias had vowed money to God, which afterwards, overcome by diabolical persuasion, he withdrew; but with what death he was punished, thou knowest. See, then, what judgment thou art to expect, for withdrawing, not money, but thyself, from Almighty God. "(lib. i. ep. ...
The sin of Ananias and Saphira was denounced by Peter acting as God's executor, by Whose revelation he knew of their sin.
You have not lied to men, but to God:
The Holy Ghost is expressly called God in the text: Ananias, why hath Satan tempted thy heart to lie to the Holy Ghost? . . . . Thou hast not lied to men, but to God
