THEOSISJerome of Stridon
If a son is born to a man who recognizes the transgressions of his father and chooses to fear the Lord, refraining from the sins that others commit, such as worshipping idols, engaging in adultery, or exploiting others, he shall not be held accountable for his father's wrongdoing; instead, he shall live. The father, who has acted deceitfully and harmed his brother, has brought upon himself his own fate due to his sins. It should not surprise anyone that the child of a righteous father faces destruction if he strays into sin, while on the other hand, the offspring of a wicked person may turn away from evil, see the depravity in his father’s actions, and thus avoid the taint of his father's guilt.
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This principle also applies to us, as indicated in the Psalms: "Hear, O ye, and see, and incline thine ear, and forget thy people, and thy father's house, and the King shall desire thy beauty" (Psalms 44:11-12). We, who are birthed from the lineage of the Gentiles, are called to turn away from the sins of our forebears, practicing justice and righteousness to truly live. This reiterates what has previously been elaborated. Thus, we summarize briefly to prepare for topics of a more profound and complex nature.