Athanasius of Alexandria : Here is why meditation on the law is necessary, my beloved, along with an uninterrupted conversion with virtue: "that the saint may lack nothing but be perfect to every good work." For by these things comes the promise of eternal life, as Paul wrote to Timothy, calling constant meditation exercise, and saying, "Exercise yourself unto godliness." — FESTAL LETTERS 11.7 Philoxenus of Mabbug : Jesus wished and desired this service, so that all the children of men might arrive at perfection. And His coming into the world took place that He might deliver to the children of men the life and rule of spiritual beings, even as also the holy Apostle taught that it was meet that the man of God should be in all perfection, saying, "The man of God shall be perfect to do every good and perfect thing." — 13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 8 -- First Discourse on Poverty