That by two immutable things, in that it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
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Clement Of Rome
AD 99
He who has commanded us not to lie, shall much more Himself not lie; for nothing is impossible with God, except to lie.
He who has commanded us not to lie, shall much more Himself not lie; for nothing is impossible with God, except to lie.
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible that God should lie. What are these two? The speaking and promising; and the adding an oath to the promise. For since among men that which is [confirmed] by an oath is thought more worthy of credit, on this account He added that also.
Do you see that He regards not His own dignity, but how He may persuade men, and endures to have unworthy things said concerning Himself. That is He wishes to impart full assurance. And in the case of Abraham indeed [the Apostle] shows that the whole was of God, not of his patient endurance, since He was even willing to add an oath, for He by whom men swear, by Him also God swore, that is by Himself. They indeed as by one greater, but He not as by one greater. And yet He did it. For it is not the same thing for man to swear by himself, as for God. For man has no power over himself. You see then that this is said not more for Abraham than for ourselves: that we (he says) might have strong consolat...
