Moral Rules (Moralia) 62–69

That those who have believed in God and been baptized must at once prepare themselves for temptations, even from their own kin, even to death; for whoever is not so [prepared] is easily [overthrown] when trouble overtakes him. Matthew: “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming upon him; and behold, a voice from the heavens said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’ Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.” [Matthew]: “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of people, for they will deliver you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.” And a little later: “Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” … “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” John: “I have said these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues; indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me,” and what follows. Luke: “And the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy; but these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of testing fall away.” Second to the Corinthians: “For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death, so that we should not rely on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” Second to Timothy: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus [will be persecuted].”

That one must not throw oneself into temptations before the time of God's permission, but must even pray not to fall into temptation. Matthew: “Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.” And a little later: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” John: “After this Jesus went about in Galilee; he would not go about in Judea, because the Jews were seeking to kill him. Now the Jews' feast of Booths was at hand. So his brothers said to him, ‘Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.’ For not even his brothers believed in him. Jesus said to them, ‘My time has not yet come, but your time is always here. The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil. You go up to the feast. I am not going up to this feast, for my time has not yet fully come.’ After saying this, he remained in Galilee. But after his brothers had gone up to the feast, then he also went up, not publicly but in private.”

That one must withdraw at the right time from those who plot against one; but when one has been allowed to fall into temptation, one must ask in prayer for the way out, so as to be able to bear it, and for the will of God. Matthew: “When they persecute you in this town, flee to the next.” … “But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him. Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there.” John: “So from that day on they made plans to put him to death. Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews.” Luke: “And he knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done.’” First to the Corinthians: “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

That in temptations the Christian, remembering in each of the things brought against him what is said in the God-inspired Scripture in answer to it, must thereby keep himself unharmed and bring his adversaries to nothing. Matthew: “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, ‘It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God,’” and what follows.

[63] That the Christian must not be afraid or anxious in difficult circumstances, distracted from his trust in God, but take courage, since the Lord is present and arranging his affairs, strengthening him against all, and the Holy Spirit teaching him even what to answer to his adversaries. Matthew: “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke: “And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” Mark: “And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?’” Acts: “But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy they arrested the apostles and put them in the public prison. But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out, and said, ‘Go and stand in the temple and speak to the people all the words of this Life.’ And when they heard this, they entered the temple at daybreak and began to teach.” Second to the Corinthians: “For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia.” And a little later: “He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he delivers us; on him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.”

That one must rejoice in suffering anything whatever, even to death, for the sake of the name of the Lord and of his commandments. Matthew: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” Luke: “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven.” Acts: “And when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the name [of the Lord]. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus.” To the Colossians: “Of this [gospel] I, Paul, became a minister. Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the [church].”

That one must pray, even at the very moment of departure, for [fitting things]. Matthew: “And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, [‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God,] my God, why have you forsaken me?’” [Luke]: “Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!’ And having said this he breathed his last.” Acts: “And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, saying, [‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice,] ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”

[66] That one must not abandon those who [contend] for [godliness]. [John]: “Jesus answered them, ‘Do you now believe? Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone.’” Second to Timothy: “You are aware that [all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom] are Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me; may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day; and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.” Second to Timothy: “At my first defence no one [came to stand by] me …”

That one must pray for those in temptations [with fervour]. Luke: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” Acts: “So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.”

[67] That for those who have full assurance of the resurrection of the dead it is foreign to grieve over those who have fallen asleep. [Luke]: “And there followed him a great multitude of the people and of women who were mourning and lamenting for him. But turning to them Jesus said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me.’” First to the Thessalonians: “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”

That one must not expect the characteristics of this age even after the resurrection, but must know that in the age to come life is angelic and free from need. Luke: “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage; but those who are counted worthy to attain that age and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. For they can no longer die; for they are equal to angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.’” First to the Corinthians: “But someone will say, ‘How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?’ Foolish man! What you sow is not made alive unless it dies first. And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of some other kind. But God gives it a body as he has willed.” And a little later: “So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.” …

That one must not look for a local or fleshly coming of the Lord, but await it in the glory of the Father, over the whole inhabited world at once. Matthew: “Then, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ,’ or ‘There,’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise, and will give great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” Mark: “But you, take heed; behold, I have told you everything beforehand. … In those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will [not] give its light, and the stars of heaven [will be falling, and the powers in the] heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory.” To the Thessalonians: “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, shall by no means precede those who have fallen asleep; for the Lord himself, with a command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ [will rise first] …”

The things that are forbidden in a connected series, and carry a sentence [of punishment]. Matthew: “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immorality, [thefts, false witness, blasphemies]. These are what defile a man.” … “Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the [devil] and his angels. For I was hungry and you did not give me to eat; I was thirsty and you did not give me drink; I was a stranger and you did not take me in; naked, [and you did not clothe me; sick and in prison,] and you did not visit me.” Luke: “Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full [now], for [you will hunger]. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe when all men speak well of you.” “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day come upon you suddenly.” To the Romans: “And since they did not see fit to hold God in knowledge, God gave them up to an unfit mind, to do what is not proper, [filled] with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, covetousness, malice,” and so on. “For ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet,’ and any other commandment,” and so on. First to the Corinthians: “Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, [… nor thieves …].” Second to the Corinthians: “lest perhaps there be strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, rivalries, slanders, whisperings, conceit, disorders.” To the Galatians: “Now the works of the flesh are plain, which are adultery, sexual immorality, impurity, [licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy,] outbursts of anger, rivalries, dissensions, factions, envyings, murders, drunkenness, carousings, and things like these, of which I warn you beforehand, as I also warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” To the Galatians: “Let us not become conceited, [provoking one another,] envying one another.” To the Ephesians: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, with all malice.” [And:] “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; [nor filthiness, nor foolish talk, nor coarse jesting,] which are not fitting.” To the Colossians: “Put to death therefore your members that are on the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; on account of which the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. But now you too put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another.” [First to Timothy: “… for the ungodly] and sinners, for the unholy and profane, … and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, with which I was entrusted.” First to Timothy: “In later times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to [deceitful] spirits [and teachings of demons, through the hypocrisy of liars seared in] their own conscience, who forbid marriage [and command] abstinence from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” First to Timothy: “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that accords with godliness, [he is puffed up, understanding nothing, but has a sickly craving for] disputes and quarrels about words, from which come envy, [strife, slanders, evil suspicions,] constant friction among men corrupted in mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. Keep away from such men.” Second to Timothy: “In the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, [blasphemers,] disobedient to parents, ungrateful, [unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control,] savage, not loving the good, treacherous, reckless, [conceited,] lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but having denied its power; turn away from these too.” To Titus: “For we too were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various desires and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hateful, hating [one another].”

The things that are approved in a connected series, and [receive] blessings. [Matthew: “Blessed are the poor in spirit,] for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile you and persecute you and say every evil word against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” Matthew: “Come, you blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you [took] me [in]; naked, [and you clothed me;] I was sick, and you visited me; I was in prison, and you came to me.” To the Romans: “[if service,] in serving; or he who teaches, in teaching; [he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, in simplicity; he who leads,] with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. … Not slothful in zeal, [fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation,] persevering [in prayer]; sharing in the needs of the saints, [pursuing hospitality]. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not set your mind on lofty things, but associate with the lowly. [Do not be wise in your own eyes.] Repay no one evil for evil; [take thought for] what is honourable in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live at peace with all men. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to wrath; for it is written: ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” 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 purity, in knowledge, in long-suffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love without hypocrisy, in the word of truth, in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; through glory and dishonour, through ill report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as [unknown, and yet well known; as dying,] and behold, we live; as disciplined, and yet not put to death; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” Second to the Corinthians: “Finally, brothers, rejoice, be restored, [be comforted …].” To the Galatians: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; [against such things there is no law].” [To the Ephesians: “I therefore,] the prisoner in the Lord, [urge you] to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called, with all [humility] and meekness, with long-suffering, bearing with one another in love, being eager to keep the [unity of the Spirit in the bond of] peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling.” To the Ephesians: “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ also forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God for a fragrant aroma.” To the Philippians: “If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation of love, any fellowship of the Spirit, any affection and compassion, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being of one soul, minding one thing, doing nothing out of rivalry or vainglory.” To the Philippians: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any virtue and if anything worthy of praise, think on these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do these things.” To the Colossians: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God; set your mind on the things above, not on the things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” [And:] “[Put on,] then, as God's elect, [holy] and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering …” First to the Thessalonians: “Admonish the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, support the weak, be long-suffering toward all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always pursue what is good, both toward one another and toward all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in everything; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophecies; but test all things, hold fast what is good; abstain from every form of evil.” [To Titus: “… that the older men be sober, …] sound in faith, in love, in endurance. Older women likewise, reverent in behaviour, [… so that they may] train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, [… so that] the word of God may not be blasphemed.” [To Titus: “Remind] them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all meekness toward all men.” To the Hebrews: “Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those in bonds as though bound with them, and those who are ill-treated, as being yourselves also in the body. Let marriage be held in honour among all, and the marriage bed undefiled; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers. Let your way of life be free from the love of money, being content with what you have.” … toward all men.