Catena Fidei

Genesis 18:27 (WEB)
Abraham answered, “See now, I have taken it on myself to speak to the Lord, although I am dust and ashes.

Fathers and councils · 11

Gregory of Nyssa, Answer to Eunomius' Second Book Chapter 1
“On this account, indeed, after the ecstasy which fell upon him, and after his sublime meditations, falling back on his human weakness, “I am,” saith he, “but dust and ashes,” that is to say, without voice or power to interpret that good which his mind had conceived.” — editor's note: Gen. xviii. 27.
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Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures Lecture 7
“A great and honourable man was Abraham, but only great in comparison with men; and when he came before God, then speaking the truth candidly he saith, I am earth and ashes.” — editor's note: Gen. xviii. 27.
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Ambrose of Milan, Concerning Repentance II.1Book II
“For he had read that Abraham, when confessing himself to be but dust and ashes, in his deep humility found favour with God.” — editor's note: Gen. xviii. 27.
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Augustine of Hippo, Confessions I.6Book I
“Still suffer me to speak before Thy mercy—me, “dust and ashes.”” — editor's note: Gen. xviii. 27.
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Augustine of Hippo, Confessions X.5Book X
“I indeed, though in Thy sight I despise myself, and reckon “myself but dust and ashes,” yet know something concerning Thee, which I know not concerning myself.” — editor's note: Gen. xviii. 27.
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Augustine of Hippo, Expositions on the Psalms Psalm 147
“When Abraham speaketh to his God, and wisheth the burning of Sodom to be disclosed to him, he saith, “I am but earth and ashes.”” — editor's note: Gen. xviii. 27.
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John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew Homily 25
“Thus we see that both David and Abraham, when they were come up to the highest pitch of virtue, then best fulfilled this; and would call themselves, the one, “earth and ashes,”the other, “a worm;”and all the saints too, like these, acknowledge their own wretchedness.” — editor's note: Gen. xviii. 27.
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John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew Homily 62
“In direct opposition to him, Abraham saith, “I am dust and ashes,”and prevailed over countless barbarians, and having fallen into the midst of Egyptians, returned, bearing a trophy more glorious than the former, and, cleaving to this virtue, grew ever more high.” — editor's note: Gen. xviii. 27.
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John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew Homily 69
“For surely Abraham, when amidst Canaanites, said, “I am but dust and ashes;”and David, when in the midst of camps,“I am a worm, and no man;”and the apostle, in the midst of the world, “I am not meet to be called an apostle.”” — editor's note: Gen. xviii. 27.
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Jerome, Letters Letter 108
“On the next day soon after sunrise she stood upon the brow of Capharbarucha, that is, “the house of blessing,” the point to which Abraham pursued the Lord when he made intercession with Him.” — editor's note: Gen. xviii. 23–33.
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Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata, or Miscellanies IV.16Book IV
““For Abraham, who for his free faith was called ‘the friend of God,’ was not elated by glory, but modestly said, ‘I am dust and ashes.’” — editor's note: Gen. xviii. 27.
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