§678Following in the steps of the prophets and John the Baptist, Jesus announced the judgement of the Last Day in his preaching.581 Then will the conduct of each one and the secrets of hearts be brought to light.582 Then will the culpable unbelief that counted the offer of God's grace as nothing be condemned.583 Our attitude to our neighbour will disclose acceptance or refusal of g…

Refutation of another argument adduced by the Marcionites, that God directed the Hebrews to spoil the Egyptians. 1. Those, again, who cavil and find fault because the people did, by God's command, upon the eve of their departure, take vessels of all kinds and raiment from the Egyptians, and so went away, from which [spoils], too, the tabernacle was constructed in the wilderness…

2. Now when, as you see, He had demonstrated the greatness of God's providential care, and they were in what follows to be rebuked also, even in this He was sparing, laying to their charge not want, but poverty, of faith. Thus, if God, says He, so clothe the grass of the field, much more you, O you of little faith. Matthew 6:30 And yet surely all these things He Himself works. …

2. For with what judgment ye judge, says He, you shall be judged. Matthew 7:2 That is, it is not the other, says Christ, that you condemn, but yourself, and you are making the judgment-seat dreadful to yourself, and the account strict. As then in the forgiveness of our sins the beginnings are from us, so also in this judgment, it is by ourselves that the measures of our condemn…

2. But what means, With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you or of man's day? (ἡμέρας) I judge myself unworthy, says he, of being judged by you. And why say I, by you? I will add, by (καὶ τὸ [τοῦ]) any one else. Howbeit, let no one condemn Paul of arrogance; t…

2. Afterwards indicating that not in the teachers but in themselves they ought to have their hopes of salvation, he says, 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith. Not in the wisdom which is without: for there it is not possible to stand, but to be borne along; even as in the faith ye may stand. Quit you like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. …

1. Let us hear the oracles of God with fear, with fear and much trembling. For (it is said) Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice unto Him with trembling. Psalm 2:11 But if even our joy and our exultation ought to be with trembling, of what punishment are we not worthy, if we listen not with terror to what is said, when the things spoken, as now, are themselves fearful? For hav…

1. The best Physicians after they have made a deep incision, and have increased the pains by the wound, soothing the afflicted part, and giving rest and refreshment to the disturbed soul, proceed not to make a second incision, but rather soothe that which has been made with gentle remedies, and such as are suited to remove the violence of the pain. This Paul also did after he h…

1. Anarchy is an evil, and the occasion of many calamities, and the source of disorder and confusion. For as, if you 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, you will sink the…

Wherefore, girding up your loins, serve the Lord in fear and truth, as those who have forsaken the vain, empty talk and error of the multitude, and believed in Him who raised up our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, and gave Him glory. In whom, though now ye see Him not, ye believe, and believing, rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

1. Relation of the Baptist to Elijah. The Theory of Transmigration Considered. The disciples asked Him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come? Matthew 17:10 The disciples indeed who went up with Jesus remembered the traditions of the scribes concerning Elijah, that before the advent of Christ, Elijah would come and prepare for Him the souls of those who w…

Abba Poemen said, "If a man has attained to that which the Apostle speaks of, 'to the pure, everything is pure,' he sees himself less than all creatures." A brother said, "How can I deem myself less than a murderer?" The old man said, "When a man has really comprehended this saying, if he sees a man committing a murder, he says: 'He has only committed this one sin but I commit …

A brother at Scetis committed a fault. A council was called to which Abba Moses was invited, but he refused to go. Then the priest sent someone to say to him, "Come, for everyone is waiting for you." So he got up and went. He took a leaking jug, filled it with water, and carried it with him. The others came out to meet him and said to him, "What is this, Father?" The old man sa…

Abba Moses said, "A man must die to his neighbor and never judge him at all, in any way whatever."

Judge not, that ye be not judged. Enter ye in at the strait gate. Strive to enter in, for many shall seek to enter in and shall not be able. The narrow way is the way of universal holiness: holy tempers, holy desires, holy words, holy actions. By their fruits ye shall know them — not by their profession, not by their opinions, but by the tenor of their lives.

Q. What is the aim of the ninth commandment? A. That I never give false testimony against anyone, twist no one's words, not gossip or slander, nor join in condemning anyone without a hearing or without a just cause. Rather, in court and everywhere else, I should avoid lying and deceit of every kind; these are devices the devil himself uses, and they would call down on me God's …