Augustine, John Chrysostom, Philip Schaff. Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian. 1889.
"Of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus," Ver. 18. "Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrown the faith of some." He has well said, "They will increase unto more ungodliness." For it appears indeed to be a solitary evil, but see what evils spring out of it. For if the Resurrection is already past, not only do we suffer loss in being deprived of that great glory, but because judgment is taken away, and retribution also. For if the Resurrection is past, retribution is past. The good therefore have reaped persecutions and afflictions, and the wicked have not been punished, nay verily, they live in great pleasure. IT WERE BETTER TO SAY THAT THERE IS NO RESURRECTION, THAN THAT IT IS ALREADY PAST. "And overthrow," he says, "the faith of some." "Of some," not of all. For if there is no resurrection, faith is subverted. Out preaching is vain, nor was HE born, nor has He ascended into heaven. Observe how this ERROR, while it seems to oppose the doctrine of the Resurrection, draws after it many other EVILS. (page 493)
