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Reply. It is affirmed that out of obedience Christ gave Himself up
to suffer.[1790] Hence the Apostle says: "He became obedient
unto death."[1791] But this was most fitting: (1) because
it was in keeping with divine justice that, "as by the disobedience of
one man, many were made sinners, so also by the obedience of one,
many shall be made just";[1792] (2) So that Christ's
passion and death should be the result of obedience; (3) so that
Christ should be victorious over death and the disobedience of the
devil, as the Scripture says: "An obedient man shall speak of
victory."[1793]
Reply to first objection. Christ received a command from the Father
to suffer. And so by dying He fulfilled all the precepts of the Old
Law. He fulfilled all the moral precepts, for these are the result
of His supreme charity and obedience; by the supreme sacrifice of
Himself, all the ceremonial precepts; all the judicial precepts, by
satisfying completely for so great a punishment. Thus Christ
fulfilled all justice, and was obedient out of love for His Father,
who commanded Him. In this we clearly see His supreme love both for
God the Father,[1794] and for His neighbor, as St. Paul
says: "He loved me, and delivered Himself up for me."[1795]
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