Ephrem the Syrian : That is, the doctrines of the [levitical] priests and their offerings. "It is well that the heart is strengthened by grace," that is, is made firm by the new gospel, not by the restrictions of the priests about food. Those who practiced this way of life obtained no profit in these rules; that is, those who observed them were not purified nor had eternal life in them. — COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS John Chrysostom : "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines." Not "with strange doctrines" only, but neither with "divers ones." "For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace, not with meats which have not profited them that have been occupied therein." Here he gently hints at those who introduce the observance of "meats." For by Faith all things are pure. There is need then of Faith, not of "meats." — Homily on Hebrews 33 John Chrysostom : "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines." "Strange," that is, different from those ye heard from us; "Divers" that is, of all sorts: for they have no stability, but are different one from another. For especially manifold is the doctrine of meats. "For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats." These are the "divers," these the "strange" doctrines: especially as Christ has said, "not that which entereth into the mouth defileth the man, but that which cometh out." (Matt. xv. 11.) And observe that he does not make bold to say this openly, but as it were by a hint. "For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace, not with meats." Faith is all. If that establishes it, the heart stands in security. It follows that Faith establishes: consequently reasonings shake. For Faith is contrary to reasoning. "Which" (he says) "have not profited them that have been occupied therein." For what is the gain from the observance of them, tell me. Does it not rather destroy? Does it not make such an one to be under sin? If it be necessary to observe them, we must guard ourselves. "Which" (he says) "have not profited them that have been occupied therein." That is, who have always diligently kept them. There is one observance, abstaining from sin. For what profit is it, when some are so polluted, as not to be able to partake of the sacrifices? So that it did not save them at all; although they were zealous about the observances. But because they had not faith, even thus they profited nothing. — Homily on Hebrews 33 Oecumenius : "diverse and strange teachings." Paul says, do not be led astray by teachings that go beyond doctrines, neither different nor strange ones. For the doctrine itself is also recognizable; but to be carried away, as from the metaphor of those who are mad, who are carried here and there, has been said. "for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace." For the heart established by the grace of God will not be led astray by diverse and strange teachings, but will keep to the truth. "not by foods." Therefore, by faith, which is active through the grace of God, the heart must be strengthened, not being strengthened in regard to the observance of foods; for those who walk in these observances, that is, those who keep them, have gained nothing from them.It is said that some among them observe the food according to Jewish customs. — The Pseudo-Oecumenian Catena on Hebrews Philoxenus of Mabbug : According to the teaching of Paul, "Those who occupied themselves with meats were not benefited by them," and not only were they deprived of any benefits, but they gathered together for their own persons loss and injury. And although the lust of the belly is not these, yet it leadeth unto them, for when the heart hath become gross through meats, straightway it driveth out from itself the remembrance of God, and when the memory of God hath departed from a man, what wickedness will he not do? and what iniquity will he be not moved to do? Even as also the prophet Moses hath taught us that through this cause the people forgot their God, and that through the lust of the belly they went forth unto idolatry, and from eating meat they were led into blasphemies, and from dainty foods they arrived at all wickedness. — 13 Ascetic Discourses, Discourse 10 -- On Gluttony Theodoret of Cyrus : By "strange teachings" he referred to what was at variance with the evangelical teachings. So he bids them persevere in the teaching of grace and abandon the observances of the law: No one reaped any benefit from them. — INTERPRETATION OF Hebrews 13