John Chrysostom, On the Letter to the Hebrews

“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves. For they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief,831 “lamenting,” στενάζοντεςfor this is unprofitable for you.”

[1.] Anarchy34963496 It will be observed that St. Chrysostom uses “rulers” (ἄ ρχοντες) and the cognate words, of spiritual rulers. is an evil, and the occasion of many calamities, and the source of disorder and confusion. For as, if thou take away the leader from a chorus, the chorus will not be in tune and in order; and if from a phalanx of an army thou remove the commander, the evolutions will no longer be made in time and order, and if from a ship thou take away the helmsman, thou wilt sink the vessel; so too if from a flock thou remove the shepherd, thou hast overthrown and destroyed all.

Anarchy then is an evil, and a cause of ruin. But no less an evil also is the disobedience to rulers. For it comes again to the same. For a people not obeying a ruler, is like one which has none; and perhaps even worse. For in the former case they have at least an excuse for disorder, but no longer in the latter, but are punished.

But perhaps some one will say, there is also a third evil, when the ruler is bad. I myself too know it, and no small evil it is, but even a far worse evil than anarchy. For it is better to be led by no one, than to be led by one who is evil. For the former indeed are oftentimes saved, and oftentimes are in peril,832 “suffer,” ἐ κινδύνευσεν but the latter will be altogether in peril, being led into the pit [of destruction].

How then does Paul say, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves”? Having said above, “whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation” ( c. ver. 7 ), he then said, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves.”

What then (you say), when he is wicked should we obey?

Wicked? In what sense? If indeed in regard to Faith, flee and avoid him; not only if he be a man, but even if he be an angel come down from Heaven; but if in regard to life, be not over-curious. And this instance I do not allege from my own mind, but from the Divine Scripture. For hear Christ saying, “The Scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat.” ( Matt. xxiii. 2.) Having previously spoken many fearful things concerning them, He then says, “They sit on Moses’ seat: all therefore whatsoever they tell you observe, do; but do not ye after their works.” ( Matt. xxiii. 2, 3.) They have (He means) the dignity of office, but are of unclean life. Do thou however attend, not to their life, but to their words. For as regards their characters, no one would be harmed [thereby]. How is this? Both because their characters are manifest to all, and also because though he were ten thousand times as wicked, he will never teach what is wicked. But as respects Faith, [the evil] is not manifest to all, and the wicked [ruler] will not shrink from teaching it.

Moreover, “Judge not that ye be not judged” ( Matt. vii. 1 ) concerns life, not faith: surely what follows makes this plain. For “why” (He says) “beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” ( Matt. vii. 3.)

“All things therefore” (He says) “which they bid you observe, do ye” (now to “do” belongs to works not to Faith) “but do not ye after their works.” Seest thou that [the discourse] is not concerning doctrines, but concerning life and works?

[2.] Paul however previously commended them,833 i.e. the rulers, see ver. 7 and then says, “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves, for they watch for your souls, as they that shall give account.”

Let those who rule also hear, and not only those who are under their rule; that as the subjects ought to be obedient, so also the rulers ought to be watchful and sober. What sayest thou? He watches; he imperils his own head; he is subject to the punishments of thy sins, and for thy sake is amenable to what is so fearful, and art thou slothful, and affectedly indifferent, and at ease? Therefore he says, “That they may do this with joy, and not with grief: 834 στενάζοντες. It will be observed that St. Chrys. dwells much on this word: and also that he understands the “do this” of “watching for souls” ; not as the English version might lead us to understand it, of the “giving account.” for this is unprofitable for you.”

Seest thou that the despised ruler ought not to avenge himself, but his great revenge is to weep and lament? For neither is it possible for the physician, despised by his patient, to avenge himself, but to weep and lament. But if [the ruler] lament (he means), God inflicts vengeance on thee. For if when we lament for our own sins we draw God to us, shall we not much rather [do this], when we lament for the arrogance and scornfulness of others? Seest thou that he does not suffer him to be led on to reproaches? Seest thou how great is his philosophy? He ought to lament who is despised, is trodden under foot, is spit upon.

Be not confident because he does not avenge himself on thee, for lamenting is worse than any revenge. For when of himself he profits nothing by lamenting, he calls on the Lord: and as in the case of a teacher and nurse, when the child does not listen to him, one is called in who will treat him more severely, so also in this case.

[3.] Oh! how great the danger! What should one say to those wretched men, who throw themselves upon so great an abyss of punishments? Thou hast to give account of all over whom thou rulest, women and children and men; into so great a fire dost thou put thy head. I marvel if any of the rulers can be saved, when in the face of835 πρὸς such a threat, and of the present indifference, I see some still even running on, and casting themselves upon so great a burden of authority.

For if they who are dragged by force836 Those who are ordained against their will by actual force; as frequently occurred in the age of St. Chrysostom. have no refuge or defense, if they discharge duty ill and are negligent; since even Aaron was dragged by force, and yet was imperiled;837 κινδυνεύω seems here as elsewhere in writers of this age to imply actual suffering as well as danger; so in this discourse. [1.] and Moses again was imperiled, although he had oftentimes declined; and Saul having been entrusted with another kind of rule, after he had declined it, was in peril, because he managed it amiss; how much more they who take so great pains to obtain it, and cast themselves upon it? Such an one much more deprives himself of all excuse. For men ought to fear and to tremble, both because of conscience, and because of the burden of the office; and neither when dragged to it should they once for all decline, nor, when not dragged cast themselves upon it, but should even flee, foreseeing the greatness of the dignity; and when they have been seized, they ought again to show their godly fear.838 εὐλάβειαν. That is, by submitting to the will of God thus manifested, and receiving ordination. Let there be nothing out of measure. If thou hast perceived it beforehand, retire; convince thyself that thou art unworthy of the office. Again, if thou hast been seized, in like manner be thou reverential,839 have a godly fear. always showing rightmindedness.840 εὐγνωμοσύνην

[4.] Ver. 18. “Pray for us” (he says); “for we trust we have a good conscience among all,841 ἐ ν πᾶσιν, see below. [The construction of ἐ ν πᾶσι with what follows, “in all things willing (wishing) to live honestly,” both in the A.V. and the R.V. is undoubtedly correct; but St. Chrysostom has taken it as connected with the preceding clause. —F.G.] willing to live honestly.”

Thou seest that he used these apologies, as writing to persons grieved with him, as to those who turned away, who were disposed as towards a transgressor, not enduring even to hear his name? Inasmuch then as he asked from those who hated him what all others ask from those who love them [their prayers for him], therefore he here introduces this; saying, “We trust that we have a good conscience.” For do not tell me of accusations; our conscience, he says, in nothing hurts842 καταβλάπτει us; nor are we conscious to ourselves that we have plotted against you. “For we trust,” he says, “that we have a good conscience among all,” not among the Gentiles only, but also among you. We have done nothing with deceitfulness,843 καπηλείας, see St. Chrys. on 2 Cor. ii. 17. nothing with hypocrisy: for it was probable that these [calumnies] were reported respecting him. “For they have been informed concerning thee” (it is said) “that thou teachest apostasy.” ( Acts xxi. 21.) Not as an enemy, he means, nor as an adversary I write these things, but as a friend. And this he shows also by what follows.

Ver. 19. “But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.” His thus praying was [the act] of one who loved them greatly, and that not simply, but with all earnestness, that so, he says, I may come to you speedily. The earnest desire to come to them is [the mark] of one conscious to himself of nothing [wrong], also the entreating them to pray for him.

Therefore having first asked their prayers, he then himself also prays for all good things on them. ( Ver. 20 ) “Now the God of peace,” he says (be ye not therefore at variance one with another), “that brought again from the earth the Shepherd of the sheep” (this is said concerning the resurrection) “the Great [Shepherd]” (another addition: here again he confirms to them even to the end, his discourse concerning the Resurrection) “through the blood of the everlasting covenant, our Lord Jesus Christ,” ( ver. 21 ) “make you perfect in every good work, to do His will, working in you844 [The R.V. here follows the reading ἐ ν ἡμῖν adopted by many critical authorities.—F.G.] that which is well-pleasing in His sight.”

Again he bears high testimony to them. For that is made “perfect” which having a beginning is afterwards completed. And he prays for them which is the act of one who yearns for them. And while in the other Epistles, he prays in the prefaces, here he does it at the end. “Working in you,” he says, “that which is well-pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

[5.] Ver. 22. “And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation, for indeed I have written a letter unto you in few words.” Seest thou that what he wrote to no one [else], he writes to them? For (he means) I do not even trouble you with long discourse.

I suppose that they were not at all unfavorably disposed towards Timothy: wherefore he also put him forward.845 By saying that he would come with Timothy, as if Timothy were his superior; see the further comment, in the next section. For ( ver. 23 ) “know ye,” he says, “that our brother Timothy is set at liberty,846 or, “released,” “gone,” or, “come away,” ἀ πολελυμένον with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.” “Set at liberty,” he says; from whence? I suppose he had been cast into prison: or if not this, that he was sent away from Athens. For this also is mentioned in the Acts.847 See Acts xvii. 16; xviii. 5

Ver. 24, 25. “Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. Grace be with you all. Amen.”

[6.] Seest848 St. Chrys. here recurs to ver. 21 thou how he shows that virtue is born849 γεγενημένην … ἐ κ neither wholly from God, nor yet from ourselves alone? First850 Here as elsewhere St. Chrys. does not expressly mention any “secondly,” but after treating the remaining verses recurs to the subject in speaking on the words “Grace be with you” : and there indicates a second evidence. by saying, “make you perfect in every good work”; Ye have virtue indeed, he means, but need to be made complete. What is “good work and word”?851 See 2 Thess. ii. 17. “Stablish you in every good word and work.” Probably St. Chrys. had this in his mind. So as to have both life and doctrines right. “According to His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight.”

“In His sight,” he says. For this is the highest virtue, to do that which is well-pleasing in the sight of God, as the Prophet also says, “And according to the cleanness of my hands in His eye-sight.” ( Ps. xviii. 24.)

And having written thus much, he said this was little, in comparison with what he was going to say. As he says also in another place, “As I wrote to you in few words: whereby when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ.” ( Eph. iii. 3, 4.)

And observe his wisdom. He says not, “I beseech you, suffer the word of” admonition, but “the word of exhortation,”852 [παρακλήσεως.] that is, of consolation, of encouragement. No one, he means, can be wearied at the length of what has been said (Did this then make them turn away from him? By no means: he does not indeed wish to express this): that is, even if ye be of little spirit, for it is the peculiarity of such persons not to endure a long discourse.

“Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty, with whom if he come shortly I will see you.” This is enough to persuade them to submit themselves, if he is ready to come with his disciple.

“Salute them that have the rule over you, and all the saints.” See how he honored them, since he wrote to them instead of to those [their rulers].

“They of Italy salute you. Grace be with you all. Amen.” Which was for them all in common.

But how does “Grace” come to be “with” us? If we do not do despite to the benefit, if we do not become indolent in regard to the Gift. And what is “the grace”? Remission of sins, Cleansing: this is “with” us. For who (he means) can keep the Grace despitefully, and not destroy it? For instance; He freely forgave thee thy sins. How then shall the “Grace be with” thee, whether it be the good favor or the effectual working of the Spirit ? If thou draw it to thee by good deeds. For the cause of all good things is this, the continual abiding with us of the “grace” of the Spirit. For this guides us to all [good things], just as when it flies away from us, it ruins us, and leaves us desolate.

[7.] Let us not then drive it from us. For on ourselves depends, both its remaining, and its departing. For the one results, when we mind heavenly things; the other, when [we mind] the things of this life. “Which the world” (He says) “cannot receive because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him.” ( John xiv. 17.) Seest thou that a worldly soul cannot have Him? We need great earnestness that so there He may be held fast by us, so as to direct all our affairs, and do them in security, and in much peace.

For as a ship sailing with favorable winds is neither to be hindered nor sunk, so long as it enjoys a prosperous and steady breeze, but also causes great admiration according to the march of its progress both to the mariners, and to the passengers, giving rest to the one, and not forcing them to toil on at their oars, and setting the others free from all fear, and giving them the most delightful view of her course; so too a soul strengthened by the Divine Spirit, is far above all the billows of this life, and more strongly than the ship, cuts the way bearing on to Heaven, since it is not sent along by wind, but has all the pure sails filled by the Paraclete Himself: and He casts out of our minds all that is slackened and relaxed.

For as the wind if it fall upon a slackened sail, would have no effect; so neither does the Spirit endure to continue in a slack soul; but there is need of much tension, of much vehemence, so that our mind may be on fire, and our conduct under all circumstances on the stretch, and braced up. For instance when we pray, we ought to do it with much intentness,853 tension. stretching forth the soul toward Heaven, not with cords, but with great earnestness. Again when we do works of mercy, we have need of intentness, lest by any means, thought for our household, and care for children, and anxiety about wife, and fear of poverty entering in, should slacken our sail. For if we put it on the stretch on all sides by the hope of the things to come, it receives well the energy854 ἐ νέργειαν of the Spirit ; and none of those perishable and wretched things will fall upon it, yea, and if any of them should fall, it does it no harm, but is quickly thrown back by the tightness, and is shaken off and fails down.

Therefore we have need of much intentness. For we too are sailing over a great and wide sea, full of many monsters, and of many rocks, and bringing forth for us many storms, and from the midst of serene weather raising up a most violent tempest. It is necessary then if we would sail with ease, and without danger, to stretch the sails, that is, our determination: for this is sufficient for us. For Abraham also, when he had stretched forth his affections towards God and set before Him his fixed resolution,855 [προαίρεσιν.] what else had he need of? Nothing: but “he believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” ( Gen. xv. 6.) But Faith [comes] of a sincere will.856 [προαιρέσεως.] He offered up his son, and though he did not slay him, he received a recompense as if he had slain him, and though the work was not done the reward was given.

Let our sails then be in good order,857 καθαρὰ not grown old (for everything “that is decayed and waxen old is nigh to vanishing away”858 ἐ γγὺς ἀφανισμοῦ) ( c. viii. 13 ), not worn into holes, that so they may bear the energy of the Spirit. “For the natural man,”859 ψυχικὸς it is said, “receiveth not the things of the Spirit.” ( 1 Cor. ii. 14.) For as the webs of spiders could not receive a blast of wind, so neither will the soul devoted to this life, nor the natural man ever be able to receive the grace of the Spirit: for our reasonings differ nothing from them,860 the cobwebs. preserving a connection in appearance only but destitute of all power.

[8.] Our condition, however, is not such, if we are watchful: but whatever may fall upon [the Christian], he bears all, and is above all, stronger than any whirlpool.861 ἴ λιγγος For suppose there be a spiritual man, and that innumerable calamities befall him, yet is he overcome by none of them. And what do I say? Let poverty come upon him, disease, insults, revilings, mockings, stripes, every sort of infliction, every sort of mocking, and slanders, and insults: yet, as though he were outside the world, and set free from the feelings of the body, so will he laugh all to scorn.

And that my words are not mere boasting, I think many [such] exist even now; for instance, of those who have embraced the life of the desert. This however, you say, is nothing wonderful. But I say that of those also who live in cities, there are such men unsuspected. If thou wish however, I shall be able to exhibit some among those of old. And that thou mayest learn, consider Paul, I pray thee. What is there fearful that he did not suffer, and that he did not submit to? But he bore all nobly. Let us imitate him, for so shall we be able to land in the tranquil havens with much merchandise.

Let us then stretch our mind towards Heaven, let us be held fast by that desire, let us clothe ourselves with spiritual fire, let us gird ourselves with its flame. No man who bears flame fears those who meet him; be it wild beast, be it man, be it snares innumerable, so long as he is armed with fire, all things stand out of his way, all things retire. The flame is intolerable, the fire cannot be endured, it consumes all.

With this fire let us clothe ourselves, offering up glory to our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father, together with the Holy Ghost, be glory, might, honor, now and ever and world without end. Amen.

Thanks be to God.

ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΛΔʹ. Πείθεσθε τοῖς ἡγουμένοις ὑμῶν, καὶ ὑπείκετε: αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἀγρυπνοῦσιν ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν, ὡς λόγον ἀποδώσοντες: ἵνα μετὰ χαρᾶς τοῦτο ποιῶσι, καὶ μὴ στενάζοντες: ἀλυσιτελὲς γὰρ ὑμῖν τοῦτο. αʹ. Κακὸν μὲν ἡ ἀναρχία πανταχοῦ, καὶ πολλῶν ὑπόθεσις συμφορῶν, καὶ ἀρχὴ ἀταξίας καὶ συγχύσεως: μάλιστα δὲ ἐν Ἐκκλησίᾳ τοσοῦτον ἐπισφαλεστέρα ἐστὶν, ὅσον καὶ τὸ τῆς ἀρχῆς μεῖζον καὶ ὑψηλότερον. Ὥσπερ γὰρ, ἂν χοροῦ τὸν κορυφαῖον ἀνέλῃς, οὐχὶ κατὰ μέλος καὶ κατὰ τάξιν ὁ χορὸς ἔσται, καὶ φάλαγγος στρατοπέδου τὸν στρατηγὸν ἂν ἀποστήσῃς, οὐκ ἔτι ῥυθμῷ καὶ τάξει τὰ τῆς παρατάξεως ἔσται, καὶ πλοίου τὸν κυβερνήτην ἐὰν περιέλῃς, καταδύσεις τὸ σκάφος: οὕτω καὶ, ποιμνίου τὸν ποιμένα ἐὰν ἀποστήσῃς, πάντα ἀνέτρεψας καὶ ἠφάνισας. Κακὸν μὲν οὖν ἡ ἀναρχία καὶ ἀνατροπῆς ὑπόθεσις, κακὸν δὲ οὐχ ἧττον καὶ ἡ ἀπείθεια τῶν ἀρχομένων: τὸ αὐτὸ γὰρ γίνεται πάλιν. Λαὸς γὰρ ἄρχοντι μὴ πειθόμενος, ὅμοιός ἐστι τῷ μὴ ἔχοντι, τάχα δὲ καὶ χείρων: ἐκεῖ μὲν γὰρ καὶ συγγνώμην ἔχουσιν ὑπὲρ τῆς ἀταξίας, ἐνταῦθα δὲ οὐκέτι, ἀλλὰ καὶ κολάζονται. Ἀλλ' ἴσως ἐρεῖ τις ἡμῖν, ὅτι ἔστι καὶ τρίτον κακὸν, ὅταν ὁ ἄρχων ᾖ κακός. Οἶδα κἀγὼ, καὶ οὐ μικρὸν τοῦτο κακὸν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τῆς ἀναρχίας πολλῷ κάκιον: κρεῖττον γὰρ ὑπὸ μηδενὸς ἄγεσθαι ἢ ὑπὸ κακοῦ ἄγεσθαι. Ὁ μὲν γὰρ πολλάκις μὲν ἐσώθη, πολλάκις δὲ ἐκινδύνευσεν: οὗτος δὲ πάντως κινδυνεύσει, εἰς βάραθρα ἀγόμενος. Πῶς οὖν ὁ Παῦλός φησι: Πείθεσθε τοῖς ἡγουμένοις ὑμῶν, καὶ ὑπείκετε; Ἀνωτέρω εἰπὼν, Ὧν ἀναθεωροῦντες τὴν ἔκβασιν τῆς ἀναστροφῆς μιμεῖσθε τὴν πίστιν, τότε εἶπε, Πείθεσθε τοῖς ἡγουμένοις ὑμῶν, καὶ ὑπείκετε. Τί οὖν, φησὶν, ὅταν πονηρὸς ᾖ, καὶ μὴ πειθώμεθα; Πονηρὸς, πῶς λέγεις; εἰ μὲν πίστεως ἕνεκεν, φεῦγε αὐτὸν καὶ παραίτησαι, μὴ μόνον ἂν ἄνθρωπος ᾖ, ἀλλὰ κἂν ἄγγελος ἐξ οὐρανοῦ κατιών: εἰ δὲ βίου ἕνεκεν, μὴ περιεργάζου. Καὶ τοῦτο οὐκ οἴκοθεν λέγω τὸ ὑπόδειγμα, ἀλλ' ἀπὸ τῆς θείας Γραφῆς. Ἄκουε γὰρ τοῦ Χριστοῦ λέγοντος: Ἐπὶ τῆς Μωϋσέως καθέδρας ἐκάθισαν οἱ Γραμματεῖς καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι. Πρότερον εἰπὼν δεινὰ πολλὰ περὶ αὐτῶν, τότε φησίν: Ἐπὶ τῆς Μωϋσέως καθέδρας ἐκάθισαν. Πάντα οὖν, ὅσα ἂν λέγωσιν ὑμῖν ποιεῖν, ποιεῖτε: κατὰ δὲ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν μὴ ποιεῖτε. Ἔχουσι, φησὶ, τὸ ἀξίωμα, ἀλλὰ βίου εἰσὶν ἀκαθάρτου. Ἀλλὰ μὴ τῷ βίῳ, ἀλλὰ τοῖς λόγοις προσέχετε: τῶν μὲν γὰρ ἠθῶν ἕνεκεν οὐδεὶς ἂν βλαβείη. Τί δήποτε; Ὅτι καὶ δῆλα πᾶσίν ἐστι, καὶ οὐδὲ αὐτὸς, κἂν μυριάκις ᾖ πονηρὸς, πονηρὰ διδάξει ποτέ. Πίστεως δὲ ἕνεκεν, οὔτε δῆλόν ἐστιν ἅπασιν, ὅ τε πονηρὸς οὐ παραιτήσεται διδάσκειν: ἐπεὶ καὶ τὸ, Μὴ κρίνετε, ἵνα μὴ κριθῆτε, περὶ βίου ἐστὶν, οὐ περὶ πίστεως: τὸ γοῦν ἐπαγόμενον τοῦτο δηλοῖ. Τί γὰρ βλέπεις, φησὶ, τὸ κάρφος τὸ ἐν τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ τοῦ ἀδελφοῦ σου, τὴν δὲ δοκὸν τὴν ἐν τῷ σῷ ὀφθαλμῷ οὐ κατανοεῖς; Πάντα οὖν ὅσα ἂν λέγωσιν ὑμῖν, φησὶ, ποιεῖν, ποιεῖτε (τὸ δὲ ποιεῖν ἔργων ἐστὶν, οὐ πίστεως): κατὰ δὲ τὰ ἔργα αὐτῶν μὴ ποιεῖτε. Ὁρᾷς ὅτι οὐ περὶ δογμάτων ἐστὶν ὁ λόγος, ἀλλὰ περὶ βίου καὶ ἔργων; Ἀλλ' ὁ Παῦλος πρότερον συνέστησεν αὐτοὺς, καὶ τότε φησί: Πείθεσθε τοῖς ἡγουμένοις ὑμῶν, καὶ ὑπείκετε: αὐτοὶ γὰρ ἀγρυπνοῦσιν ὑπὲρ τῶν ψυχῶν ὑμῶν, ὡς λόγον ἀποδώσοντες. Ἀκουέτωσαν καὶ οἱ ἄρχοντες, μὴ μόνον οἱ ἀρχόμενοι, ὅτι ὥσπερ πειθηνίους εἶναι δεῖ τοὺς ἀρχομένους, οὕτω καὶ τοὺς ἄρχοντας ἀγρύπνους εἶναι καὶ νηφαλίους. Τί λέγεις; ἀγρυπνεῖ, κινδύνους ἔχει κατὰ τῆς αὑτοῦ κεφαλῆς, ὑπόκειται ταῖς τιμωρίαις τῶν σῶν ἁμαρτημάτων, καὶ διὰ σὲ τοσούτῳ ἐστὶν ὑπεύθυνος φόβῳ, καὶ σὺ ῥᾳθυμεῖς καὶ ἀκκίζῃ καὶ βάναυσος εἶ, καὶ οὐ βούλει πείθεσθαι; Διὰ τοῦτο προστίθησι λέγων: Ἵνα μετὰ χαρᾶς τοῦτο ποιῶσι, καὶ μὴ στενάζοντες: ἀλυσιτελὲς γὰρ ὑμῖν τοῦτο. Ὁρᾷς ὅτι τὸν ἄρχοντα καταφρονούμενον οὐκ ἀμύνεσθαι χρὴ, ἀλλ' ἡ πολλὴ ἄμυνα τὸ κλαῦσαι καὶ στενάξαι ἐστίν; εἰκότως. Ἐπεὶ καὶ ἰατρὸν καταφρονούμενον ὑπὸ τοῦ κάμνοντος, οὐκ ἔνι ἀμύνασθαι, ἀλλὰ δακρῦσαι καὶ ἀνοιμῶξαι. Ὥστε ἐὰν στενάξῃ ὁ ἄρχων, ἀμύνεταί σε ὁ Θεός. Εἰ γὰρ ὑπὲρ τῶν οἰκείων ἁμαρτημάτων στενάζοντες ἐπισπώμεθα τὸν Θεόν: ὑπὲρ τῆς τῶν ἄλλων ἀπονοίας καὶ καταφρονήσεως στενάζοντες, οὐ πολλῷ μᾶλλον; Ὁρᾷς ὅτι οὐκ ἀφίησιν αὐτὸν εἰς ὕβρεις ἐξάγεσθαι; ὁρᾷς ὅση ἡ φιλοσοφία; Στενάζειν δεῖ τὸν καταφρονούμενον, τὸν καταπατούμενον, τὸν διαπτυόμενον. Μὴ θαῤῥήσῃς ὅτι σε οὐκ ἀμύνεται: ὁ γὰρ στεναγμὸς πάσης ἀμύνης χείρων. Ὅταν γὰρ αὐτὸς μηδὲν ὀνήσῃ στενάζων, καλεῖ τὸν Δεσπότην: καὶ καθάπερ ἐπὶ διδασκάλου καὶ τροφέως, ὅταν ἐκείνου μὴ ἀκούῃ τὸ παιδίον, καλεῖται ὁ αὐστηρότερον προσφερόμενος: οὕτω καὶ ἐνταῦθα. Βαβαὶ, πόσος ὁ κίνδυνος! τί ἄν τις εἴποι πρὸς τοὺς ἀθλίους, τοὺς ἐπιῤῥίπτοντας ἑαυτοὺς τοσαύτῃ τιμωριῶν ἀβύσσῳ; Πάντων ὧν ἄρχεις γυναικῶν καὶ ἀνδρῶν καὶ παίδων σὺ λόγον δίδως: τοσούτῳ πυρὶ τὴν κεφαλὴν ὑποτίθης. Θαυμάζω εἴ τινα ἔστι τῶν ἀρχόντων σωθῆναί ποτε, πρὸς τῇ τοσαύτῃ ἀπειλῇ καὶ τῇ παρούσῃ ῥᾳθυμίᾳ ὁρῶν ἔτι καὶ ἐπιτρέχοντάς τινας, καὶ ἐπιῤῥίπτοντας ἑαυτοὺς τῷ τοσούτῳ ὄγκῳ τῆς ἀρχῆς. Εἰ γὰρ οἱ ἀνάγκῃ ἑλκόμενοι οὐδεμίαν ἔχουσι συγγνώμην οὐδὲ ἀπολογίαν, κακῶς τὸ πρᾶγμα οἰκονομοῦντες καὶ ἀμελοῦντες: ἐπεὶ καὶ Ἀαρὼν ἀνάγκῃ εἱλκύσθη καὶ ἐκινδύνευσε, καὶ Μωϋσῆς πάλιν ἐκινδύνευσε, καίτοι πολλάκις παραιτησάμενος: καὶ Σαοὺλ ἑτέραν ἐμπιστευθεὶς ἀρχὴν, μετὰ τὸ παραιτήσασθαι ἐκινδύνευσεν, ἐπειδὴ κακῶς αὐτὴν ᾠκονόμησε: πόσῳ μᾶλλον οἱ σπουδὴν ταύτην τιθέμενοι καὶ ἐπιῤῥίπτοντες ἑαυτούς; ὁ γὰρ τοιοῦτος πολλῷ πλέον ἑαυτὸν ἀποστερεῖ πάσης συγγνώμης. Δεδοικέναι γὰρ χρὴ καὶ τρέμειν, καὶ διὰ τὸ συνειδὸς καὶ διὰ τὸν ὄγκον τῆς ἀρχῆς, καὶ οὔτε ἑλκομένους ἅπαξ παραιτεῖσθαι, οὔτε μὴ ἑλκομένους ἐπιῤῥίπτειν ἑαυτοὺς, ἀλλὰ καὶ φεύγειν μὲν προορῶντας τοῦ ἀξιώματος τὸ μέγεθος, κατασχεθέντας δὲ, πάλιν τὴν εὐλάβειαν ἐπιδείκνυσθαι χρή. Μηδὲν ἄμετρον ἔστω, πάντα κατὰ τάξιν γινέσθω. Πρὸ τοῦ γενέσθαι προαισθόμενος, ἀναχώρει, πεισθεὶς σαυτὸν ἀνάξιον εἶναι τοῦ πράγματος: συλληφθεὶς πάλιν, ὁμοίως εὐλαβῂς ἔσο, πανταχοῦ τὴν εὐγνωμοσύνην ἐπιδεικνύμενος. Προσεύχεσθε, φησὶν, καὶ περὶ ἡμῶν: πεποίθαμεν γὰρ ὅτι καλὴν συνείδησιν ἔχομεν, ἐν πᾶσι καλῶς θέλοντες ἀναστρέφεσθαι. βʹ. Ὁρᾷς ὅτι ταῦτα ἀπολελόγηται ὡς πρὸς λελυπημένους πρὸς αὐτὸν γράφων, ὡς πρὸς ἀποστρεφομένους, ὡς πρὸς παραβάτην διακειμένους, καὶ οὐκ ἀνεχομένους οὐδὲ τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ἀκοῦσαι. Ἐπεὶ οὖν παρὰ τῶν μισούντων αὐτὸν ταῦτα ἀπῄτει, ἅπερ ἂν παρὰ τῶν φιλούντων οἱ λοιποὶ πάντες, τούτου ἕνεκεν ἐνταῦθα τίθησι τοῦτο, λέγων: Πεποίθαμεν ὅτι καλὴν συνείδησιν ἔχομεν. Μὴ γάρ μοι τὰς κατηγορίας εἴπῃς: τὸ συνειδὸς ἡμῶν, φησὶν, οὐδὲν ἡμῶν καταγινώσκει, οὐδὲ σύνισμεν ἑαυτοῖς ὅτι ἐπεβουλεύσαμεν ὑμῖν. Πεποίθαμεν γὰρ, φησὶν, ὅτι καλὴν συνείδησιν ἔχομεν, ἐν πᾶσι καλῶς θέλοντες ἀναστρέφεσθαι. Ἄρα οὐκ ἐν ἐθνικοῖς μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐν ὑμῖν. Οὐδὲν μετὰ καπηλείας, οὐδὲν μετὰ ὑποκρίσεως πεποιήκαμεν: εἰκὸς γὰρ ἦν αὐτὸν ταῦτα διαβάλλεσθαι. Καὶ ὅτι διεβέβλητο, ἄκουε, Ἰακώβου λέγοντος: Κατηχήθησαν γὰρ περὶ σοῦ, ὅτι ἀποστασίαν διδάσκεις. Οὐχ ὡς ἐχθρὸς, φησὶν, οὐδὲ ὡς πολέμιος ταῦτα γράφω, ἀλλ' ὡς φίλος. Καὶ τοῦτο καὶ ἐκ τοῦ ἑξῆς δηλοῖ: Περισσοτέρως δὲ παρακαλῶ τοῦτο ποιῆσαι, ἵνα τάχιον ἀποκατασταθῶ ὑμῖν. Τοῦτο σφόδρα φιλοῦντος ἦν αὐτοὺς, τὸ οὕτως ἀξιοῦν εὔξασθαι. Μὴ ἁπλῶς, φησὶν, ἀλλὰ μετὰ πάσης σπουδῆς: ὥστε με ταχέως ἐλθεῖν πρὸς ὑμᾶς Τοῦτο μηδὲν ἑαυτῷ συνειδότος ἐστὶ, τὸ σπουδάζειν ἐλθεῖν πρὸς αὐτοὺς, καὶ παρακαλεῖν αὐτοὺς εὔχεσθαι ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ. Τούτου ἕνεκεν πρῶτον παρ' αὐτῶν αἰτήσας τὰς εὐχὰς, τότε καὶ αὐτὸς αὐτοῖς ἐπεύχεται πάντα τὰ ἀγαθά. Ὁ δὲ Θεὸς τῆς εἰρήνης, φησί. Τοῦτο εἶπε διὰ τὸ στασιάζειν αὐτούς. Εἰ τοίνυν ὁ Θεὸς εἰρήνης Θεός ἐστι, μὴ διαστασιάζετε πρὸς ἡμᾶς. Ὁ ἀναγαγὼν ἐκ τῆς γῆς τὸν Ποιμένα τῶν προβάτων. Περὶ τῆς ἀναστάσεως τοῦτο εἴρηται. Τὸν μέγαν. Ἄλλη προσθήκη. Ἐνταῦθα πάλιν μέχρι τέλους τὸν περὶ τῆς ἀναστάσεως αὐτοῖς λόγον διαβεβαιοῦται. Ἐν αἵματι διαθήκης αἰωνίου, τὸν Κύριον ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦν Χριστὸν, καταρτίσαι ὑμᾶς ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ: εἰς τὸ ποιῆσαι τὸ θέλημα αὐτοῦ, ποιῶν ἐν ὑμῖν τὸ εὐάρεστον ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ. Πάλιν μαρτυρεῖ αὐτοῖς μεγάλα: τὸ γὰρ καταρτιζόμενόν ἐστι τὸ ἀρχὴν ἔχον, εἶτα πληρούμενον. Καὶ ἐπεύχεται αὐτοῖς: ὅπερ ἐστὶ ποθοῦντος. Καὶ ὅρα: ἐν μὲν ταῖς ἄλλαις ἐπιστολαῖς ἐν τοῖς προοιμίοις εὔχεται, ἐνταῦθα δὲ ἐν τῷ τέλει. Ποιῶν, φησὶν, ἐν ὑμῖν τὸ εὐάρεστον ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ: ᾧ ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν. Παρακαλῶ δὲ ὑμᾶς, ἀδελφοὶ, ἀνέχεσθε τοῦ λόγου τῆς παρακλήσεως: καὶ γὰρ διὰ βραχέων ἐπέστειλα ὑμῖν. Ὁρᾷς ὅτι ὃ μηδενὶ ἐπέστειλε, τοῦτο τούτοις ἐπιστέλλει; Καὶ γὰρ διὰ βραχέων, φησὶν, ἐπέστειλα: τουτέστιν, Οὐδὲ ἐνοχλῶ ὑμᾶς τῇ μακρολογίᾳ. Οἶμαι αὐτοὺς οὐ πάνυ πρὸς τὸν Τιμόθεον ἔχειν ἀπεχθῶς: ὅθεν καὶ αὐτὸν προεστήσατο. Γινώσκετε γὰρ, φησὶ, τὸν ἀδελφὸν Τιμόθεον ἀπολελυμένον, μεθ' οὗ, ἐὰν τάχιον ἔρχηται, ὄψομαι ὑμᾶς. Ἀπολελυμένον, φησί: πόθεν; Οἶμαι αὐτὸν εἰς δεσμωτήριον ἐμβεβλῆσθαι: ἢ, εἰ μὴ τοῦτο, ἀπὸ Ἀθηνῶν ἀπολελυμένον: καὶ γὰρ καὶ τοῦτο ἐν ταῖς Πράξεσι κεῖται. Ἀσπάσασθε πάντας τοὺς ἡγουμένους ὑμῶν, καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἁγίους. Ἀσπάζοντα, ὑμᾶς οἱ ἀπὸ τῆς Ἰταλίας. Ἡ χάρις μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν. Ἀμήν. Ὁρᾷς πῶς δείκνυσι τὴν ἀρετὴν οὔτε ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ τὸ ὅλον, οὔτε ἐξ ἡμῶν μόνον κατορθουμένην; τῷ γὰρ εἰπεῖν: Καταρτίσαι ὑμᾶς ἐν παντὶ ἔργῳ ἀγαθῷ, καὶ τὰ ἑξῆς, τοῦτο δηλοῖ: ὡσεὶ ἔλεγεν: Ἔχετε μὲν ἀρετὴν, δεῖσθε δὲ πληρώσεως. Εἰπὼν δὲ ἔργῳ καὶ λόγῳ ἀγαθῷ, ἔδειξεν ὅτι καὶ βίον ὀρθὸν ἔχειν δεῖ καὶ δόγματα. Καλῶς δὲ προσέθηκε τὸ, Ποιῶν ἐν ὑμῖν τὸ εὐάρεστον ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ. Ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ, φησίν: αὕτη γὰρ ἡ μεγίστη ἀρετὴ, ποιεῖν ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ τὸ εὐάρεστον: καθὰ καὶ ὁ Προφήτης λέγει: Καὶ κατὰ τὴν καθαριότητα τῶν χειρῶν μου ἐνώπιον τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτοῦ. Τοσαῦτα δὲ γράψας, ὀλίγα αὐτὰ ἔφησεν εἶναι, σύγκρισιν ποιῶν πρὸς ἃ ἔμελλε λέγειν: καθὰ καὶ ἀλλαχοῦ φησι, Καθὼς ἔγραψα ὑμῖν ἐν ὀλίγῳ: πρὸς ὃ δύνασθε ἀναγινώσκοντες νοῆσαι τὴν σύνεσίν μου ἐν τῷ μυστηρίῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Καὶ ὅρα αὐτοῦ τὴν σοφίαν: Οὐ λέγει, Παρακαλῶ ὑμᾶς, ἀνέχεσθε τοῦ λόγου τῆς παραινέσεως, ἀλλὰ, Τοῦ λόγου τῆς παρακλήσεως: τουτέστι, τῆς παραμυθίας, τῆς προτροπῆς. Οὐκ ἔχει τις, φησὶ, πρὸς τὸ μῆκος ἀπαγορεῦσαι τῶν λεχθέντων. Τί οὖν; καὶ τοῦτο ἦν ὃ ἐποίει αὐτοὺς ἀποστρέφεσθαι; Οὐδαμῶς: ἀλλ' οὐ βούλεται αὐτοῖς ἐνδείξασθαι, καὶ εἰπεῖν ὅτι Ὀλιγοψυχεῖτε: τῶν γὰρ τοιούτων ἴδιον τὸ μὴ ἀνέχεσθαι λόγου μακροῦ. Γινώσκετε τὸν ἀδελφὸν Τιμόθεον ἀπολελυμένον, μεθ' οὗ, ἐὰν τάχιον ἔρχηται, ὄψομαι ὑμᾶς. Τοῦτο ἱκανὸν αὐτοὺς πεῖσαι καθυφεῖναι, εἰ ἕτοιμός ἐστιν ἐλθεῖν μετὰ τοῦ μαθητοῦ. Ἀσπάσασθε τοὺς ἡγουμένους ὑμῶν, καὶ πάντας τοὺς ἁγίους. Ὅρα πῶς αὐτοὺς ἐτίμησεν, εἴ γε ἐκείνοις ἐπέστειλεν ἀντ' ἐκείνων. Ἀσπάζονται ὑμᾶς οἱ ἐκ τῆς Ἰταλίας. Ἡ χάρις μετὰ πάντων ὑμῶν. Ἀμήν. Ὅπερ ἦν κοινὸν ἁπάντων, τοῦτο ὕστερον εἶπεν. Ἡ χάρις δὲ πῶς γίνεται μεθ' ἡμῶν; Ἂν μὴ ὑβρίσωμεν εἰς τὴν εὐεργεσίαν, ἂν μὴ ῥᾴθυμοι γενώμεθα περὶ τὴν δωρεάν. Καὶ τί ἐστιν ἡ χάρις, φησίν; Ἡ ἄφεσις τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν, ἡ κάθαρσις: αὕτη γὰρ μεθ' ἡμῶν ἐστι. Τίς γὰρ, φησὶν, ὑβρικὼς δύναται φυλάξαι τὴν χάριν, καὶ οὐκ ἀπόλλυσιν αὐτήν; Οἷον, ἐχαρίσατό σοι τὰ ἁμαρτήματα: πῶς οὖν ἔσται μετὰ σοῦ ἡ χάρις, τουτέστιν, ἡ εὐδοκίμησις, ἢ ἡ τοῦ Πνεύματος ἐνέργεια, ἂν μὴ διὰ τῶν ἀγαθῶν πράξεων αὐτὴν ἐπισπάσῃ; Τοῦτο γὰρ πάντων αἴτιον ἀγαθῶν, τὸ παραμένειν ἡμῖν ἀεὶ τὴν χάριν τοῦ Πνεύματος: αὕτη γὰρ πρὸς ἅπαντα ἡμᾶς ὁδηγεῖ, ὥσπερ οὖν ὅταν ἀποπτῇ ἡμῶν, ἀπόλλυσιν ἡμᾶς καὶ ἐρήμους ποιεῖ. γʹ. Μὴ δὴ αὐτὴν ἀποκρουσώμεθα: ἐν ἡμῖν γάρ ἐστι καὶ μένειν αὐτὴν, καὶ ἀπελθεῖν. Τὸ μὲν γὰρ, ὅταν τὰ οὐράνια λογιζώμεθα, γίνεται: τὸ δὲ, ὅταν τὰ βιωτικά. Ὃ ὁ κόσμος, φησὶν, οὐ δύναται λαβεῖν, ὅτι οὐ θεωρεῖ αὐτὸ, οὐδὲ γινώσκει αὐτό. Κόσμον τὸν πονηρὸν καὶ αἰσχρὸν βίον καλεῖ. Ὁρᾷς ὅτι οὐκ ἔστι κοσμικῆς ψυχῆς τὸ ἔχειν αὐτό; Πολλῆς τοίνυν ἡμῖν δεῖ τῆς σπουδῆς, ὥστε αὐτὸ κατασχεθῆναι παρ' ἡμῶν, ὥστε πάντα τὰ ἡμέτερα οἰκονομεῖν, καὶ ἐν ἀσφαλείᾳ ποιεῖν καὶ ἐν εἰρήνῃ πολλῇ. Ὥσπερ γὰρ τὴν ἐξ οὐρίων πλέουσαν ναῦν οὐκ ἔστιν οὔτε ἐμποδισθῆναι, οὔτε βαπτισθῆναι, ἕως ἂν ἀπολαύῃ δεξιοῦ τοῦ πνεύματος καὶ διηνεκοῦς, ἀλλὰ καὶ πολλὴν μετὰ τὴν κάθοδον ἐπιδόσεως δόξαν παρέχεται τοῖς τε ναύταις, τοῖς τε ἐπιβάταις, τοὺς μὲν διαναπαύουσα, καὶ οὐκ ἐῶσα ταῖς κώπαις προσταλαιπωρεῖν, τοὺς δὲ παντὸς ἀπαλλάττουσα δέους, καὶ θέαμα ἥδιστον τὸν αὑτῆς παρεχομένη δρόμον: οὕτω καὶ ψυχὴ τῷ θείῳ ὠχυρωμένη Πνεύματι, πάντως μέν ἐστιν ἀνωτέρα τῶν τρικυμιῶν τῶν βιωτικῶν, τὴν δὲ ἐπὶ τὸν οὐρανὸν φέρουσαν ὁδὸν σφοδρότερον ἐκείνης τέμνει τῆς νεὼς, ἅτε οὐχ ὑπ' ἀνέμου παραπεμπομένη, ἀλλ' ὑπ' αὐτοῦ τοῦ Παρακλήτου πεπληρωμένα ἔχουσα τὰ ἱστία πάντα καὶ καθαρὰ, καὶ πᾶν χαῦνον καὶ διαλελυμένον ἐκβάλλει ἐκ τῆς διανοίας τῆς ἡμετέρας. Ὥσπερ γὰρ εἰς χαῦνον ἱστίον ἐμπίπτων ὁ ἄνεμος, οὐκ ἂν ἐνεργήσειεν: οὕτως οὐδὲ τὸ Πνεῦμα εἰς χαύνην ψυχὴν παραμένειν ἀνέχεται, ἀλλὰ δεῖ πολλῆς τῆς τάσεως, τῆς σφοδρότητος. Ὥστε πεπυρωμένην ἡμῖν εἶναι χρὴ τὴν διάνοιαν, καὶ πανταχοῦ τετάσθαι ἡμῶν τὰ ἔργα καὶ τετονῶσθαι: οἷον, ὅταν εὐχώμεθα, μετὰ πολλῆς τοῦτο τῆς τάσεως δεῖ ποιεῖν, ἀποτείνοντας πρὸς τὸν οὐρανὸν τὴν ψυχὴν, οὐ σχοινίοις, ἀλλὰ προθυμίᾳ σφοδρᾷ. Ὅταν ἐλεῶμεν πάλιν, τάσεως ἡμῖν δεῖ, μήποτε φροντὶς οἰκίας, καὶ προστασία παίδων, καὶ γυναικὸς ἐπιμέλεια, καὶ δέος πενίας ἐπεισελθὸν, χαυνώσῃ τὸ ἱστίον. Ἂν γὰρ τῇ τῶν μελλόντων ἐλπίδι τείνωμεν αὐτὸ πάντοθεν, καλῶς δέχεται τοῦ Πνεύματος τὴν ἐνέργειαν: ἐκείνων δὲ τῶν ἐπικήρων καὶ ταλαιπώρων οὐδὲν εἰς αὐτὴν ἐμπεσεῖται, ἀλλὰ κἂν ἐμπέσῃ, αὐτὴν μὲν οὐδὲν ἔβλαψεν, ἀπεκρούσθη δὲ ταχέως τῷ στεγανῷ καὶ ἐξέπεσεν ἀποτιναχθέν. Διὰ τοῦτο τοίνυν πολλῆς ἡμῖν δεῖ τῆς τάσεως: καὶ γὰρ καὶ ἡμεῖς θάλατταν πλέομεν μεγάλην καὶ εὐρύχωρον, πολλῶν μὲν θηρίων γέμουσαν, πολλῶν δὲ σκοπέλων, πολλοὺς δὲ ἡμῖν χειμῶνας τίκτουσαν, καὶ ἐξ αἰθρίας μέσης χαλεπωτάτην ζάλην ἐπεγείρουσαν. Δεῖ τοίνυν, εἴ γε βουλοίμεθα μετὰ εὐμαρείας πλεῖν καὶ ἀκινδύνως, τείνειν τὰ ἱστία, τουτέστι, τὴν προαίρεσιν τὴν ἡμετέραν: ἀρκεῖ γὰρ ἡμῖν τοῦτο: ἐπεὶ καὶ ὁ Ἀβραὰμ, ἐπειδὴ τὸν πόθον ἔτεινε πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν, καὶ τὴν προαίρεσιν παρέστησεν ἀπηρτισμένην, τίνος ἑτέρου ἐδεήθη; οὐδενός, ἀλλ' Ἐπίστευσε τῷ Θεῷ, καὶ ἐλογίσθη αὐτῷ εἰς δικαιοσύνην. Ἡ δὲ πίστις προαιρέσεως γνησίας ἐστίν. Ἀνήνεγκε τὸν υἱὸν, καὶ μὴ σφάξας, τὴν τοῦ σφάξαντος ἀμοιβὴν ἐδέξατο, καὶ τοῦ ἔργου μὴ γενομένου ὁ μισθὸς ἐδίδοτο. Ἔστω τοίνυν ἡμῖν καθαρὰ καὶ καινὰ τὰ ἱστία, μὴ πεπαλαιωμένα: Πᾶν γὰρ τὸ παλαιούμενον καὶ γηράσκον ἐγγὺς ἀφανισμοῦ: μὴ ἐκτετρημένα, ὥστε στέγειν τοῦ Πνεύματος τὴν ἐνέργειαν: Ψυχικὸς γὰρ ἄνθρωπος, φησὶν, οὐ δέχεται τὰ τοῦ Πνεύματος. Ὥσπερ γὰρ τὰ τῶν ἀραχνῶν ὑφάσματα Πνεύματος ῥύμην οὐκ ἂν δέξαιτο: οὕτως οὐδὲ ψυχὴ βιωτικὴ, οὐδὲ ἄνθρωπος ψυχικὸς Πνεύματος χάριν δέξασθαι δυνήσεταί ποτε. Ἐκείνων γὰρ οὐδὲν διεστήκασιν ἡμῶν οἱ λογισμοὶ, ὄψει μὲν μόνον ἀκολουθίαν σώζοντες, δυνάμεως δὲ ἀπεστερημένοι πάσης. Ἀλλ' οὐ τὰ ἡμέτερα τοιαῦτα, ἐὰν νήφωμεν: ἀλλὰ ὅπερ ἂν ἐμπέσῃ, πάντα στέγει, καὶ πάντων ἐστὶν ἀνώτερος, πάσης ἴλιγγος ἰσχυρότερος. Ἔστω γάρ τις πνευματικὸς ἀνὴρ, καὶ μυρία αὐτῷ συμπιπτέτω δεινά: ἀλλ' οὐδενὶ τούτων ἁλίσκεται. Καὶ τί λέγω; ἐπαγέσθω πενία, νόσος, ὕβρεις, λοιδορίαι, σκώμματα, πληγαὶ, πᾶν εἶδος κολάσεως, πᾶν εἶδος χλευασίας καὶ ὀνειδισμῶν καὶ ὕβρεων: ἀλλ' ὥσπερ ἐκτὸς ὢν τῆς οἰκουμένης καὶ τῶν τοῦ σώματος ἀπηλλαγμένος παθῶν, οὕτως ἁπάντων καταγελάσεται. Καὶ ὅτι οὐ κόμπος τὰ ῥήματα, πολλοὺς μὲν οἶμαι εἶναι καὶ νῦν: οἷον, τῶν τὰς ἐρημίας κατειληφότων. Ἀλλ' οὐδὲν θαυμαστὸν, φησίν. Ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω, καὶ τῶν ἐν ταῖς πόλεσιν ἀνυπονοήτους ἄνδρας εἶναι τοιούτους. Εἰ δὲ βούλει, καὶ τῶν πάλαι τινὰς ἐπιδεῖξαι δυνήσομαι. Καὶ ἵνα μάθῃς, ἐννόει μοι τὸν Παῦλον: τί μὲν οὐκ ἔπαθε δεινὸν, τί δὲ οὐχ ὑπέστη; ἀλλὰ πάντα ἔφερε γενναίως. Τοῦτον δὴ μιμησώμεθα καὶ ἡμεῖς: οὕτω γὰρ δυνησόμεθα καὶ ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ εὐαρεστῆσαι, καὶ πρὸς τοὺς λιμένας καταχθῆναι τοὺς εὐδιεινοὺς μετὰ πολλῆς τῆς ἐμπορίας. Τείνωμεν τοίνυν τὴν διάνοιαν ἡμῶν πρὸς τὸν οὐρανὸν, τῷ πόθῳ κατασχεθῶμεν ἐκείνῳ, τῷ πυρὶ περιβάλωμεν ἑαυτοὺς τῷ πνευματικῷ, τῇ φλογὶ διαζώσωμεν ἑαυτούς. Οὐδεὶς φλόγα ἐπιφερόμενος δέδοικε τοὺς ἀπαντῶντας: κἂν θηρίον ᾖ, κἂν ἄνθρωπος, κἂν μυρίαι παγίδες, ἕως πεπυρωμένος ᾖ, πάντα ὑπεξίσταται, πάντα παραχωρεῖ. Ἀνύποιστος ἡ φλὸξ, ἀφόρητος ἡ πυρὰ, πάντα καταναλίσκει. Τοῦτο τὸ πῦρ περιβάλωμεν ἑαυτοὺς, καὶ δόξαν ἀναπέμψωμεν τῷ Κυρίῳ ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστῷ, μεθ' οὗ τῷ Πατρὶ, ἅμα τῷ ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, δόξα, κράτος, τιμὴ, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.