1 Tessalonicenses 2
Origen of Alexandria · Comentário Patrístico (catena)
1 Tessalonicenses 2:7
But another might say that the perfect man is here called little, applying the word, "For he that is least among you all, the same is great." He will affirm that he who humbles himself and becomes a child in the midst of all that believe, though he be an apostle or a bishop, and becomes such "as when a nurse cherishes her own children," is the little one pointed out by Jesus. He will also affirm that the angel of such a person is worthy to behold the face of God. The little are here called perfect, according to the passage "He that is least among you all, the same is great." Paul said, "Unto me who am less than the least of all saints was this grace given." These are in harmony with the saying, "Whoever shall cause one of these little ones to stumble," and "So it is not the will of my Father in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." — COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 13.29
1 Tessalonicenses 2:14
"But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country." We must inquire whether the expression has the same force when applied universally to every prophet (as if all prophets are dishonored in their own country). Or, it may be the case that because the expression "a prophet" is in the singular, these things were said only about one. If, then, these words are spoken about one person, these things which have been said suffice, if we refer that which was written to the Savior. But if it is a general principle in view, it is not historically true; for Elijah was not dishonored in Tishbeth of Gilead, nor Elisha in Abelmeholah, nor Samuel in Ramathaim, nor Jeremiah in Anathoth. But figuratively interpreted, it is absolutely true; for we must think of Judea as their country and Israel as their kindred and perhaps of the body as the house. For all suffered dishonor in Judea from the Israel which is according to the flesh, while they were yet in the body. Thus it is written in the Acts of the Apostles, as Stephen censured the people, "Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute, who appeared before of the coming of the Righteous One?" And Paul says similar things in his first letter to the Thessalonians: "For you brethren became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judaea in Christ Jesus, for you also suffered the same things of your own countrymen even as they did of the Jews, who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and please not God, and are contrary to all men." — COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 10.18