And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity.
All Commentaries on Matthew 7:23 Go To Matthew 7
Jerome
AD 420
As He had said above that those who have the robe of a good life are yet not tobe received because of the impiety of their doctrines; so now on the other hand, He forbids us to participate the faith with those who while they are strong in sound doctrine, destroy it with evil works. For it behoves the servants of God that both their work should be approved by their teaching and their teaching by their works. And therefore He says, “Not every one thatsaith unto me, Lord, Lord, enters into the kingdom of heaven.”.
For Scripture uses to take words for deeds; according to which the Apostle declares, “They make confession that they know God, but in works deny him.”Ambrosiaster Comm. in 1 Cor 12, 3: For all truth by whomsoever uttered is from the Holy Spirit.
Otherwise; To prophesy, to work wonders, to cast out daemons by divine power, is often not of his deserts who performs the works, but either the invocation of Christ’s name has this force; or it is suffered for the condemnation of those that invoke, or for the benefit of those that see and hear, that however they despise the men who work the wonders, they may give honour to God. So Saul and Balaam and Caiaphas prophesied; the sons of Scaeva in the Acts of the Apostles were seen to cast out daemons; and Judas with the soul of a traitor is related to have wrought many signs among the other Apostles.
Note that He says, “I never knew you,” as being against some that say that all men have always been among rational creatures.” .
He says not, Who have worked, but “who work iniquity,” that He should not seem to take away repentance. “Ye,” that is, who up to the present hour when the judgment is come, though ye have not the opportunity, yet retain the desire of sinning.
