Moral Rules (Moralia) 26–45

That every word or deed must be confirmed by the testimony of the God-inspired Scripture, for the full assurance of the good and the shame of the wicked. Matthew: “And the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become loaves of bread.’ But he answered and said, ‘It is written: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’” Acts: “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” … “And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ But others mocking said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’ But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: ‘Men [of Judea] and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these men are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is the third hour of the day; but this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: And in the last days it shall be, God says, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and [your sons and your daughters] shall prophesy …’”

That one must [use the testimony of Scripture] even in matters of nature and of ordinary custom … Matthew: “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the rotten tree bears bad fruit,” and what follows. Luke: “And their scribes and the Pharisees grumbled at his disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Those who are healthy have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.’” Second to Timothy: “No one serving as a soldier entangles himself in the affairs of life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. And if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”

That one must not become like those who are strangers to the Lord's teaching, but imitate God and his saints according to the power given us by [him]. Matthew: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave, just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” [To the Romans: “Do not be conformed to this age,] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may test what is the will of God.” First to the Corinthians: “Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ.”

[28] That one must not be carried away simply and without examination by those who counterfeit the truth, but [recognize each] from the mark given us by Scripture. Matthew: “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.” John: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” First to the Corinthians: “Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, ‘Jesus is accursed.’”

[29] That each one must make himself credible by his own works. John: “The very works that I do bear witness about me, that the Father has sent me. … If I am not doing the works of my Father, do not believe me; but if I do them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may know and believe that the Father is in me and I in him.” Second to the Corinthians: “Giving no offence in anything, so that the ministry may not be blamed, but in everything commending ourselves as ministers of God, in much endurance, in afflictions,” and what follows.

[30] That one must not [profane] holy things by mixing them with things of common [use]. Matthew: “And Jesus entered the temple of God and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves; and he said to them, ‘It is written: My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers.’” First to the Corinthians: “What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing?” … “If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you may not come together for judgment.”

How long what is called by God's name must be honoured as holy: as long as [the will] of God [is done in it]. Matthew: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often would I have gathered [your children] together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate.”

That what has been set apart for those dedicated to God must not be spent on others, unless something should be left over … Mark: “Now the woman was a Greek, [a Syrophoenician by birth, and she begged him to] cast the demon out of her daughter. But he [said to her, ‘Let the children be fed first,] for it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs.’ But she answered and said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children's crumbs.’ And he said to her, ‘Because of this saying, go; the demon has gone out of your daughter.’”

[32] That one must willingly render to each what is due to him. Luke: “And they asked him, saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and show no partiality, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful for us to give tribute to Caesar or not?’ But he perceived their craftiness and said to them, ‘Why do you test me? Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?’ They answered and said, ‘Caesar's.’ And he said to them, ‘Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.’” To the Romans: “Render therefore to all what is owed: tribute to whom tribute is owed, revenue to whom revenue, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour. Owe no one anything except to love one another.”

[33] That one must not cause others to stumble. Matthew: “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a great millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” And again: “Woe to that man by whom the stumbling block comes!” To the Romans: “But rather decide this: never to put a stumbling block [or hindrance in the way of a brother].”

That everything opposed to the will of the Lord [is a stumbling block]. Matthew: “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, ‘Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.’”

That one must give up even a thing or word that Scripture permits, when others are thereby built up toward sin by the like, or are cut off from their eagerness for what is good. First to the Corinthians: “Now concerning the eating of food offered to idols: we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we for him, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and we through him. But not all have this knowledge. Some, through being accustomed until now to the idol, eat food as offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God; we are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this liberty of yours does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you, who have knowledge, [reclining at table in an idol's temple], will not his conscience, since he is weak, be built up to eat food offered to idols? [And so by your knowledge the weak brother is destroyed,] the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against the brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, so that I may not make my brother stumble.” “Do we not have the right to eat and drink? Do we not have the right to take along a wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? Who ever serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not get some of the milk of the flock?” and what follows.

That to avoid causing anyone to stumble one must do even [what is not required]. Matthew: “When they came to [Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came] to Peter and said, ‘Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, ‘What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?’ Peter said to him, ‘From others.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Then the sons are free. But so that we may not cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for me and for yourself.’”

That in the things the Lord wills, even if some take offence, one must show unyielding boldness. Matthew: “Not what goes into the mouth defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a person.” Then his disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” But he answered and said, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. Let them alone; they are blind; [and if the blind lead the blind,] both will fall into a pit.” John: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in yourselves.” And a little later: “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you also want to go away?’” Second to the Corinthians: “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is sufficient for these things?”

That each one must set forth a pattern of good things for others, each in his own measure. Matthew: “Learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart.” Second to the Corinthians: “For I know your eagerness, about which I boast of you [to the Macedonians], that Achaia has been ready since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them.” First to the Thessalonians: “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.”

[35] That those who see the fruit of the Holy Spirit in someone, who everywhere keeps the evenness of godliness, and do not ascribe it to the Holy Spirit but attribute it to the adversary, blaspheme the Holy Spirit himself. Matthew: “Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that [the mute man spoke] and saw. And all the crowds were amazed and said, ‘Can this be the son of David?’ But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, ‘This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.’ Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, … ‘[But if it is by the Spirit] of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.’” To which he next adds: “Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven people. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.”

[36] That those who keep the pattern of the Lord's teaching must be received with all eagerness and honour, to the glory of the Lord himself; and whoever does not listen or receive them is condemned. Matthew: “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.” … “And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.” John: “Whoever receives anyone I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.” To the Philippians: “I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need.” And a little later: “So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and [honour such men].”

That eagerness according to one's ability, even in the smallest things, is acceptable to God, even if it comes from [women]. Matthew: “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink because he is a disciple, truly I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.” Luke: “He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and he saw a poor widow putting in two small coins there, and he said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed to the offerings of God out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all the living she had.’” Matthew: “Now when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he reclined at table. And when the disciples saw it, they were indignant, saying, ‘Why this waste of the ointment? For this could have been sold for a large sum and given to the poor.’ But Jesus, knowing it, said to them, ‘Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a beautiful thing to me.’” Acts, about Lydia: “And when she was baptized, and her household, she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.’ And she prevailed upon us.”

[38] That the Christian must show also toward the brothers [a hospitality that is simple and without display]. John: “One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon's brother, said to him, ‘There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two [fish]; but what are they among so many?’ And Jesus said, ‘Have the people sit down.’ Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.” Luke: “A woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his word. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.’ But Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but few things are needed, or only one. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’”

That one must not be easily moved, but firm in the faith and immovable from the good things that are in the Lord. Matthew: “As for the one sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.” First to the Corinthians: “Therefore, my brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” To the Galatians: “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ for a different [gospel].”

That one must not put up with those who teach other doctrines, even if [they persuade by plausibility] … Matthew: “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.” Luke: “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at feasts, who devour widows' houses and for a pretence make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” To the Galatians: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you [a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed].”

That one must cut off everything that causes stumbling, even if it seems most closely one's own and most necessary. Matthew: “Woe to that man by whom the stumbling block comes! And if your foot or your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it from you. It is better for you to enter life lame or crippled than with two feet or two hands to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it from you.”

That one must spare those who are weaker in faith and bring them up to perfection by care; but spare them, plainly, without overlooking a commandment of God. Matthew: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.” To the Romans: “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him.” To the Galatians: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness, looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

That one must not think that the Lord came to abolish the law and the prophets, but to fulfil them and to add what is more perfect. Matthew: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have not come to abolish but to fulfil.” To the Romans: “Do we then overthrow the law through faith? By no means! On the contrary, [we uphold the law].”

[43] That as the law forbids wicked deeds, so the gospel [forbids] the hidden passions themselves [in the soul]. Matthew: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, [‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders] will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother without cause will be liable to judgment.” To the Romans: “For no one is a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward in the flesh; but a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from people but from God.”

That as the law [requires] part, so the gospel requires the whole in each of the good works done. Luke: “Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” To the Colossians: “In him also you were circumcised [with a circumcision made without hands], by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ.”

That those who do not show a righteousness according to the gospel greater than that in the law cannot be counted worthy of the kingdom of heaven. Matthew: “Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will [never] enter the kingdom of heaven.” To the [Philippians]: “If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God.”

That the yoke of Christ is kind and his burden light, giving rest to those who accept them; but all that is foreign to the teaching of the gospel is heavy and burdensome. Matthew: “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is kind, and my burden is light.”

That those who do not keep among themselves the equality of honour that children keep toward one another cannot be counted worthy of the kingdom of heaven. Matthew: “Truly I tell you, unless you turn and become like the children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

That whoever desires to be counted worthy of greater glory in the kingdom of heaven must love being lowly and last here. Matthew: “Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” [Mark]: “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.” To the Philippians: “[Do] nothing from rivalry or conceit, [but in humility count others more significant than yourselves].”

[46] That by comparison with the good order kept in lesser things, [a greater] zeal [is required] in greater ones. Luke: “Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” “And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. ‘In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him [and saying, ‘Give me justice] against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though [I neither fear God nor respect] man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not wear me out by her continual coming.’ And the Lord said, ‘Hear what the unjust judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night?’” Second to Timothy: “No one serving as a soldier entangles himself in the affairs of life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him. And if anyone competes as an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.”

That by comparison with those who in lesser things showed fear from faith and zeal from a worthy desire, those who are caught despising or neglecting greater things have a more severe [condemnation]. Luke: “The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.” Matthew: “The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.”

That one must not despise the greater things while showing zeal in the lesser; but, doing first the greater of the commandments, [one may also do the lesser] … Matthew: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel!”