25. Indeed, in the three statements before us, we must observe that some words are
understood. For the first statement has all the words that are necessary. “Whosoever,” says
He, “is angry with his brother without a cause, shall be in danger of the judgment.” But in
the second, when He says, “and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca,” there is understood
the expression without cause,84 and thus there is subjoined, “shall be in danger of the
council.” In the third, now, where He says, “but whosoever shall say, Thou fool,” two things
are understood, both to his brother and without cause. And in this way we defend the apostle
when he calls the Galatians fools,85 to whom he also gives the name of brethren; for he does
not do it without cause. And here the word brother is to be understood for this reason, that
the case of an enemy is spoken of afterwards, and how he also is to be treated under the
greater righteousness.
84 Augustin helps us to understand how the word εἰκῆ (without cause) in the preceding clause crept into
some of the Mss. In Retract. I. xix. 4 he makes the critical note and correction: “Codices græci non habent sine
causa.”
85 Gal. iii. 1.
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Chapter IX