Let us therefore, as many as would be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
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Augustine of Hippo
AD 430
All of us who are running the race perfectly should be aware that we are not yet perfect. The hope is that we may receive perfection in the place to which we are now running perfectly.
The apostle speaks of himself as both perfect and imperfect: imperfect when he considers how much righteousness is still wanting in him but perfect in that he does not blush to confess his own imperfection and makes good progress in order to attain it.
And yet he reckons himself perfect, because he has been emancipated from his former life, and strives after the better life, not as perfect in knowledge, but as aspiring after perfection. Wherefore also he adds, "As many of us as are perfect, are thus minded"
And because already His second coming draws near to us, His benign and liberal condescension is more and more illuminating our hearts with the light of truth.
Assuming that this statement is complete and selfcontained and need not be linked to his subsequent words, I think it must be understood as follows: “If there is anything in what I have said that you construe or understand in a different way, I allow your understanding to develop.” Remember that he is speaking of the perfect, for so he says so: “we who are perfect.” … “In due time ‘God will reveal this to you,’ since both what you understand and what I have said are fitting.”
If we, because of the tendency to err that lies within the human condition, take the meaning of anything for granted, we are not to refuse increase of understanding through grace…. For the apostle has already explained the thought of those whose thought is perfect. As to those who think otherwise concerning God’s revelation, he hopes that their thoughts will be brought to perfection.
Let us, therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded, says he. And if in anything you are otherwise minded, even this shall God reveal unto you. What sort of thing? That we should forget the things which are behind. Wherefore it belongs to him who is perfect not to consider himself perfect. How therefore do you say, as many as are perfect? For tell me, are we minded as you are? For if you have not attained nor art perfected, how do you command those that are perfect to be so minded as you are, who art not yet perfect? Yea, for this, says he, is perfection. And if you are in anything otherwise minded, even this shall God reveal unto you. That is, if any one considers that he has attained all excellence. He puts them on their guard, not by speaking directly, but what says he? If in anything you are otherwise minded, even this shall God reveal unto you. See how humbly he says this! God shall teach you, i.e. God shall persuade you, not teach you; for Paul was teaching, but God shall le...
And not merely in regard to a judicial sentence, but in regard to every decision in matters we are called on to consider, the apostle also says, "If of anything you are ignorant, God shall reveal it unto you; ".
"And if "says (the apostle), "there are matters which ye are ignorant about, the Lord will reveal to you."
