Tractates on the Gospel of John (continued)
TRACTATE 7 157 raments, and should have all prophecy, and have all faith" (hut in what sense did he say all faith?) "so as to remove mountains, yet should not have love, I am nothing. And if I distribute all my goods to the poor, and if I deliver my body that I may be burned, yet should not have love, it profits me nothing." But in no way can they say that they have love who divide unity. These things were said; let us see what follows.
4. "John gave testimony," because he saw. What testimony did he give? "That he was the Son of God." Therefore, it was necessary that he baptize, who was the only Son of God, not an adopted [son]. The adopted sons, they are the ministers of the only Son; the only Son has power, the adopted sons, ministry. Should we grant that a minister, who does not belong to the number of sons, because he lives an evil life and does evil deeds, baptize, what consoles us? "He it is who baptizes."
5. "The next day again John was standing there, and two of his disciples. And looking upon Jesus as he walked by, he says, 'Behold the Lamb of God.'" Indeed he is a Lamb, but in the singular; for the disciples were also called lambs: "Behold, I am sending you like lambs in the midst of wolves."'^ They were also called the light: "You are the light of the world." But in a different sense from him about whom it was said, "It was the true light that enlightens every man who comes into this world." So, also. Lamb in the singular,"^ he alone without stain, without sin; not one whose stains were wiped away, but who had no stain.
(2) For why was it that John said about the Lord, "Behold the Lamb of God"? Was John himself not a lamb? Was he not a holy man? Was he not friend of the bridegroom? Therefore in the singular, that one said, he is the Lamb of God, because solely by the blood alone of this Lamb could men be redeemed.
6. My brothers, if we recognize that the price of our ransom is the blood of the Lamb, who are they who today celebrate
12. Cf. 1 Cor 13.1-3. 13. Cf. Mt 10.16; Lk 10.3. 14. Mt 5.14. 15. Jn 1.9.
16. The true light is singular, "It was," as opposed to the light of this world which is plural, "You are." 17. Cf. Tractates 3.12 and 4.10.