One of the best things about my latest decision to read through the Bible is that the commentary is from an Orthodox perspective, meaning that most of the comments are from the Church Fathers.
John Cassian (ca. 360-435 C. E.) on Free Will:
"And by this testimony we can clearly see what we ought to ascribe to free will, and what to the design and daily assistance of the Lord, that it belongs to divine grace to give us opportunities of salvation and prosperous undertakings and victory; but that it is ours to follow up the blessings God gives us with either earnestness or indifference."
Athanasius the Great (ca. 293-373 C. E.) on our offerings to God:
"When we make a return we give nothing of our own, but those things which we have before received from Christ, this being especially of His grace, that He should require, as from us, His own gifts. He bears witness to this in Numbers when He says: 'My gifts, My presents, My burnt offerings, you shall take care to offer Me as a sweet aroma in my feasts.' That is, those things you give Me are yours, as having received them from Me, but they are the gifts of God. Let us offer to the Lord every virtue, and that true holiness which is in Him, and in piety let us keep the feast to Him with those things He hallowed for us."
John Chrysostom (ca. 347-407 C. E.) on loving God:
"God needs nothing we have to give Him, and this especially proves sincere love, when one who needs nothing and is not in any necessity, does everything for the sake of being loved by us. So when He bids you to love Him, He then most of all shows He loves you. For nothing secures our salvation more than loving Him."
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