Why is Jesus called “Light and Fire”?

St. Clement of Alexandria says, “For just as, had the sun not been in existence, night would have brooded over the universe notwithstanding the other luminaries of heaven; so,

761 The Pastor of Hermas (or Shepherd of Hermas) 3.9.12 (ANF 2:47).

762 St. Ambrose of Milan, On the Holy Spirit 3.5 (NPNF II/10:139–140).

763 St. Jerome, Commentary on Matthew Book 1 , 7.25 (FOTC 117:97–98).

had we not known the Word, and been illuminated by Him; we should have been nowise different from fowls that are being fed, fattened in darkness, and nourished for death. Let us then admit the light, that we may admit God; let us admit the light and become disciples to the Lord. This, too, He has been promised to the Father: “I will declare Your name to my brethren; in the midst of the Church, I will praise You” (Ps. 22:22).”⁷⁶⁴

St. Jacob of Sarug says, “Our Lord is light to those who love Him; but He is fire to those who come near Him to test Him.”

St. Augustine says, “Is the Son less because He is said to have been sent? I hear of a sending, not a separation. But yet, says he, among men we see that he who sends is greater than he who is sent. Be it so; but human affairs deceive a man; divine things purge him. Do not regard things human, in which the sender appears greater, the sent less; notwithstanding, things human themselves bear testimony against you … And there are many cases in which the greater is chosen to be sent by the less … The sun sends out a ray, but does not separate it … a lamp sheds light, but does not separate it … A man that sends remains himself behind, while only the man that is sent goes forward. Does the man who sends go with him whom he sends? Yet the Father who sent the Son, has not departed from the Son … The Father sending has not departed from the Son sent, because the sent and the sender are one.”⁷⁶⁵