Clement of Alexandria : "By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made of things which appear," says the apostle. "By faith Abel offered to God a fuller sacrifice than Cain, by which he received testimony that he was righteous, God giving testimony to him respecting his gifts; and by it he, being dead, yet speaketh," and so forth, down to "than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." Faith having, therefore, justified these before the law, made them heirs of the divine promise. — The Stromata Book 2 Cosmas Indicopleustes : the confidence Abel displayed after death, who yet speaketh, crying from the earth in bringing to birth the return of life. — The Christian Topography, Book 6 Ephrem the Syrian : "By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain," who brought offerings selected without care. The faith of Abel and the infidelity of Cain were sealed up in their offerings. If Abel had not believed in the promise, he would not have chosen and brought the best offerings. He had actually seen his brother, who picked up everywhere the vile ears [vegetable offerings] with contempt and offered them by laying them on the altar. For that faith Abel "obtained testimony" about himself "that he was righteous" and certainly not from a human being but from God, "who testified of his gifts," so that up to this time Abel talks through his faith, that is, is put to test through it. — COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS John Chrysostom : And observe whom he puts first, him who was ill-treated, and that by a brother. It was their own affliction, "For you also" (he says) "have suffered like things of your own countrymen." (1 Thess. ii. 14.) And by a brother who had been nothing wronged, but who envied him on God's account; showing that they also are looked on with an evil eye and envied. He honored God, and died because he honored Him: and has not yet attained to a resurrection. But his readiness is manifest, and his part has been done, but God's part has not yet been carried out towards him. — Homily on Hebrews 22 John Chrysostom : And by a "more excellent sacrifice" in this place, he means that which is more honorable, more splendid, more necessary. — Homily on Hebrews 22 John Chrysostom : And we cannot say (he says) that it was not accepted. He did accept it, and said unto Cain, "Hast thou not sinned, if thou rightly offer, but dost not rightly divide?" (Gen. iv. 7 LXX.) So then Abel both rightly offered, and rightly divided. Nevertheless for this, what recompense did he receive? He was slain by his brother's hand: and that sentence which his father endured on account of sin, this he first received who was upright. And he suffered so much the more grievously because it was from a brother, and he was the first to suffer. — Homily on Hebrews 22 John Chrysostom : And he did these things rightly looking to no man. For to whom could he look, when he so honored God? To his father and his mother? But they had outraged Him in return for His benefits. To his brother then? But he also had dishonored God. So that by himself he sought out what was good. — Homily on Hebrews 22 John Chrysostom : And he that is worthy of so great honor, what does he suffer? He is put to death. And how too was he otherwise "testified of that he was righteous"? It is said, that fire came down and consumed the sacrifices. For instead of "And the Lord had respect to Abel and to his sacrifices" (Gen. iv. 4), the Syriac said, "And He set them on fire." He therefore who both by word and deed bare witness to the righteous man and sees him slain for His sake, did not avenge him, but left him to suffer. — Homily on Hebrews 22 John Chrysostom : But your case is not such: for how could it be? You who have both prophets and examples, and encouragements innumerable, and signs and miracles accomplished? Hence that was faith indeed. For what miracles did he see, that he might believe he should have any recompense of good things? Did he not choose virtue from Faith alone? — Homily on Hebrews 22 John Chrysostom : What is, "and by it he being dead yet speaketh"? That he might not cast them into great despondency, he shows that he has in part obtained a recompense. How? "The influence coming from him is great, he means, and he yet speaketh"; that is, Cain slew him, but he did not with him slay his glory and memory. He is not dead; therefore neither shall ye die. For by how much the more grievous a man's sufferings are, so much the greater is his glory. — Homily on Hebrews 22 John Chrysostom : How does he "yet speak"? This is a sign both of his being alive, and of his being by all celebrated, admired, counted blessed. For he who encourages others to be righteous, speaks. For no speech avails so much, as that man's suffering. As then heaven by its mere appearance speaks, so also does he by being had in remembrance. Not if he had made proclamation of himself, not if he had ten thousand tongues, and were alive, would he have been so admired as now. That is, these things do not take place with impunity, nor lightly, neither do they pass away. — Homily on Hebrews 22 Oecumenius : "Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice." For whose example did Abel honor God, except that he believed by faith that there would be a compensation for these things? "by which he obtained a report that he was righteous." For when God said to Cain, "If you offer rightly, but do not divide rightly," (Gen. 4:7) He testified concerning Abel that he both offered rightly and divided rightly. It is also said that fire descended from heaven upon his burnt offering. "and by it he being dead." Indeed, the victim was the occasion for the slaughter itself. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews Oecumenius : [PHOTIUS] What is said: "and by it he being dead yet speaks," or it is understood that this victim was the occasion for envy and rivalry against his brother: moreover, this gave rise to murder. Or that he speaks through him, although dead: For this reason, it has become the cause for Abel to be remembered and regarded as unfailing. Or, if someone examines both more closely, taking into account that, through it, as it is referred to both being Dead yet Speaks: so that the meaning is: By itself or because of itself the dead host still speaks through it. [break in Photius excerpt] — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews Oecumenius : [OECUMENIUS] Or through itself the faith; however, it speaks through reputation, glory, by remembrance. [end of the Oecumenius excerpt] — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews Oecumenius : [PHOTIUS] "yet speaks." He is immortal; his deed, done through faith, does not allow him to fall into oblivion, he says. [end of the Photius excerpt] — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews Philoxenus of Mabbug : And none of the righteous pleased God without faith, even as the teaching of Paul testifieth, who, beginning with Abel, repeated all their names one after the other coming down unto the manifestation of Christ, and he showed that they all pleased God by faith. — 13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 3 -- On Faith Photios I of Constantinople : "Although he died, through it he still speaks," that is, because his very sacrifice furnished his brother with an opportunity for malice and jealousy, and his brother produced murder. Even if "he died," "through it he speaks." For this very reason Abel was always to be remembered and never forgotten. If someone should investigate both matters more accurately, the phrase "through it" (as is commonly understood) applies equally to "dying" and to "he speaks."He still speaks. He is always to be remembered. He says that Abel's deed done in faith does not allow him to fall into obscurity. — FRAGMENTS ON THE EPISTLE TO THE Hebrews 11.4 Tertullian : Therefore, since God originated Adam uncircumcised, and inobservant of the Sabbath, consequently his offspring also, Abel, offering Him sacrifices, uncircumcised and inobservant of the Sabbath, was by Him commended; while He accepted what he was offering in simplicity of heart, and reprobated the sacrifice of his brother Cain, who was not rightly dividing what he was offering. Noah also, uncircumcised-yes, and inobservant of the Sabbath-God freed from the deluge. — An Answer to the Jews Theodoret of Cyrus : The phrase "he is still speaking" means, To this day he is famous and celebrated and enjoys a good name among all religious people. — INTERPRETATION OF Hebrews 11