And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
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Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
Paul means those who are truly prepared for the vision of God. These are distinguished from those who are called by this name [Israel] and in their carnal blindness refuse to see the Lord, spurning his grace, still desiring to be enslaved by temporal things.
And as many as walk according to this rule. The rule laid down by S. Paul as to justification, and the relation of Judaism to Christianity.
Peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. On Jews and Gentiles alike who believe on Christ, according to Ambrose; but comparing this verse with Ephesians 1:1 and Colossians 2:8, it is better to explain the Israel of God as those who are Israelites indeed, i.e, who have embraced Christianity and renounced whether Gentilism or Judaism. Not those who are descended from Jacob according to the flesh are the Israel of God, but those who have embraced his faith. These find peace within, and on them God plentifully bestows His grace.
There may be a reference to the meaning of Israel, i.e, he who sees God, says Theophylact. They who see Him by faith here will see Him under a fitting image in heaven. Or Israel may mean "he who has power with God," according to Genesis 32:28. As Jacob by his prayers obtained success against Esau, so the pe...
Those who pursue this new creation will enjoy peace and goodness, and truly deserve to be called by the name of the true Israel. But those who oppose it, even if they have been born of Israel and carried Israel’s name with them, have fallen away from Israel and from that name and family. For those who can truly be Israelites are those who keep this rule, abstain from the old ways and pursue what belongs to grace.
