I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men,
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 1. Intercessions, as in the Prot. translation. If men’s intercessions to God in favour of others, are no injury to Christ, as our mediator, how can it be any injury to Christ for the Angels and saints in heaven to pray or intercede to God for us? Witham.—Saint Augustine writes thus on this verse: By supplications are meant what are said before the consecration. By prayers, are what are said in and after the consecration and communion, at mass, including the Pater Noster; which S. Jerom also says, our Lord taught his apostles to recite at the daily sacrifice of his body. l. iii. cont. Pelag. chapter 5. By intercessions, what are said after the communion: and by thanksgivings, what both the priest and people give to God for so great a mystery then offered and received. ep. 50. ad Paulin. See Saint John Chrysostom in hunc locum.