Whoever receives a prophet, receives the one who dwells within the prophet, and he becomes worthy of a prophet’s reward because he received the prophet in the name of a prophet. Likewise, the one who receives a righteous person is given a similar reward. This one becomes righteous by honoring righteousness. Because righteousness is perfected through faith, this service obtains a reward. Given God’s graciousness, there are many opportunities for striving for eternity. Whenever we receive the righteous person and prophet in an attitude of reverence, we receive the honor attributed to the righteous and the prophet.
The Lord taught that no deed done from a good conscience is in vain, and that the assurance of one’s faith is not undermined by another’s unbelief. Indeed, He foresees that many will glory in the mere name of apostleship, whereas their every action shows they are unworthy of the name. They deceive and lie constantly, and even if we have accorded to them our allegiance when it comes to religious convictions, we are not cheated out of the reward of our own works and of hope. For even though these are the very least, that is, they are the greatest of sinners—there is nothing less than the least—nevertheless, the Lord insists we have a straightforward duty to them that is not in vain, even if a light responsibility, which He indicates by the name of cold water. It is not to the sins of a person, but to the name of “disciple” that honor has been bestowed. So too, the reproachful conduct of the one who deceives does not undermine the benefits of the other, since the Lord’s reward is for the one who gives by faith, not for the deceit of the one receiving it.
Hilary of Poitiers, Commentary on Matthew 10.28–29
