# Fragments on Job

- Author: [Methodius of Olympus](https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/authors/methodius-of-olympus/)
- Latin title: *Fragmenta in Iob*
- Date: late 3rd cent. (disputed) (approximate)
- Source: G. Nathanael Bonwetsch, ed., Methodius, GCS 27 (Leipzig: Hinrichs, 1917), pp. 511-520 (Greek text: G. N. Bonwetsch, Methodius (GCS 27, 1917); OCR made for this site)

- Translation: Claude, from the original text, unless a passage says otherwise; each passage below gives the translator
- Work page: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/
- Passages: 25

## Fragment on Job, no. 1

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-1
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:511
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: God judges by persuading, not by force, and Christ will ask the judged what they have done worthy of his blood.

### Greek text

Δύναται, φησί, γενέσθαι δίκαιος συγκρίσει ἀνθρώπων· ὡς δὲ πρὸς τὸν τῶν ὅλων κύριον πῶς ἔσται δίκαιος βροτός; — Οὐ γὰρ τυραννεῖ κρίνων ὁ θεός, ἀλλὰ πείθει τὸν κρινόμενον καὶ ποιεῖ αὐτὸν θελῆσαι παραδέξασθαι τὴν ἀπόφασιν αὐτοῦ. μέλλομεν γοῦν οἱ κρινόμενοι βλέπειν τὸν κύριον μεθʼ ἡμῶν συνδικαζόμενον ἐπὶ τοῦ πατρὸς καὶ λέγοντα· ὦ ἄνθρωπε, τίς ἡ ὠφέλεια ἐν τῷ αἵματί μου, ἐν τῷ καταβῆναί με εἰς διαφθοράν; φέρε τί τούτου ἢ τῶν λοιπῶν πεποίηκας ἄξιον.

### English translation (Claude)

A man can become righteous, he says, by comparison with other human beings; but before the Lord of all, how will a mortal be righteous? For when God judges he does not act as a tyrant, but persuades the one being judged and makes him willing to accept his sentence. We who are judged, then, shall see the Lord pleading our case with us before the Father and saying: “O man, what profit is there in my blood, in my going down to corruption? Come, what have you done worthy of this, or of the rest?”

### Scripture references

- Job 9:2: allusion, high confidence
- Ps 30:9 (29:10 LXX): quotation, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 9:2 (“how will a mortal be righteous before the Lord?”). The Lord's words adapt Ps 30:9 (29:10 LXX).

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.1 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:511; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-1).

## Fragment on Job, no. 2

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-2
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:511
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: The mountains God overturns (Job 9:5) are read as Moses and the prophets, made old by Christ.

### Greek text

Ὄρη· Μωϋσῆς καὶ οἱ προφῆται. ἦρα τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς μου εἰς τὰ ὄρη. Χριστὸς δὲ παλαιοῖ τὴν πρώτην διαθήκην, καὶ οὐκ οἴδασιν Ἰουδαῖοι, πρὸς οὓς εἴρηται· εἰ ἐπιστεύετε Μωυσεῖ, ἐπιστεύετε ἂν ἐμοί. ὁ αὐτὸς δὲ καὶ κατέστρεψε τὰ μέχρι γράμματος ὄρη τῆς Ἱερουσαλὴμ καὶ τὸ ἁγίασμα. ὁ αὐτὸς καὶ τὸν ἥλιον ἀμαυροῖ τῇ ἑαυτοῦ λαμπρότητι καὶ τοὺς ἀστέρας.

### English translation (Claude)

Mountains: Moses and the prophets. “I lifted up my eyes to the mountains.” Christ makes the first covenant old, and the Jews do not know it, to whom it was said, “If you believed Moses, you would believe me.” He also overturned the mountains of Jerusalem that reach only as far as the letter, and the sanctuary. He also darkens the sun and the stars with his own brightness.

### Scripture references

- Job 9:5–7: allusion, high confidence
- Ps 121:1 (120:1 LXX): quotation, high confidence
- Heb 8:13: allusion, high confidence
- John 5:46: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 9:5–7. Quoted: Ps 121:1 (120:1 LXX); John 5:46. “Makes the first covenant old”: Heb 8:13. The polemic is the fragment's own.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.2 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:511; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-2).

## Fragment on Job, no. 3

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-3
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:511
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: At the crucifixion darkness, it is said, stars appeared as at night.

### Greek text

Ὁ ἀριθμῶν πλήθη ἄστρων· φέρεται δὲ ὅτι ταῖς τρισὶν ὥραις, ἐν αἷς ὁ ἥλιος ἐξέλιπεν, ἀστέρες ἐφάνησαν ὡς ἐν νυκτί.

### English translation (Claude)

“He who numbers the multitude of the stars.” It is reported that during the three hours in which the sun failed, stars appeared as at night.

### Scripture references

- Job 9:7: allusion, low confidence
- Ps 147:4: allusion, low confidence
- Luke 23:44–45: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 9:7–9 (the exact lemma is uncertain; the words resemble Ps 147:4). The three hours of darkness: Luke 23:44–45; Matt 27:45.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.3 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:511; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-3).

## Fragment on Job, no. 4

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-4
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:512
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: The visible works already named are not yet the “great and unsearchable” things of Job 9:10.

### Greek text

Ἃ γὰρ προείρηκα, φησίν, οὔπω μεγάλα, οὔπω ἀνεξιχνίαστα ὁρατὰ ὄντα.

### English translation (Claude)

For the things I have spoken of before, he says, are not yet great, not yet unsearchable, since they are visible.

### Scripture references

- Job 9:10: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 9:10.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.4 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:512; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-4).

## Fragment on Job, no. 5

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-5
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:512
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: The fear that comes from God is his gift, completing the fear that is our own work.

### Greek text

Οὐκ εἶπεν ἢ φόβος αὐτοῦ, ἀλλʼ ἢ φόβος παρʼ αὐτοῦ. ὁ οὖν αὐτοῦ φόβος ἔργον ἡμέτερον ἐκ τοῦ ἐφʼ ἡμῖν ἐρχόμενος· ὁ δὲ παρʼ αὐτοῦ χάρις καὶ δωρεά ἐστιν αὐτοῦ τὸ λεῖπον ἡμῖν ἀναπληροῦσα. ὁμοίως ἔχει καὶ τὸ Πρόσθες ἡμῖν πίστιν. λείπει γὰρ ἡμῖν, φησίν, τὸ ἀπὸ τῆς σῆς δωρεᾶς, ἀλλʼ οὐ τὸ ἐφʼ ἡμῖν.

### English translation (Claude)

He did not say “his fear,” but “the fear that comes from him.” “His fear,” then, is our own work, coming from what is in our power; but the fear that comes from him is grace and his gift, filling up what is lacking in us. The same holds for “Increase our faith.” For what we lack, he says, is what comes from your gift, not what is in our power.

### Scripture references

- Luke 17:5: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on a verse of Job not identified with certainty. “Increase our faith”: Luke 17:5.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.5 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:512; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-5).

## Fragment on Job, no. 6

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-6
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:512
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: God's patience does not mean the punishment of the ungodly is postponed forever.

### Greek text

Μὴ γάρ τις ἐννοείτω, φησίν, ὡς εἰς τέλος ὑπερτιθέμενος διαμένει θεὸς τὰς κατὰ τῶν ἀδίκων τιμωρίας, εἰ καὶ τέως μακροθυμῇ, ἀλλʼ ὥσπερ οἱ ἐνεδρεύοντες, οὕτως ἀδοκήτως αὐτοῖς ἐπέρχεται· καὶ οὐκ ἔστι τινὰ τῶν ἀσεβῶν τὴν θείαν διαδρᾶναι δίκην.

### English translation (Claude)

For let no one think, he says, that God goes on postponing to the end the punishments of the unjust, even if he is patient for a time; but like those who lie in ambush, so he comes upon them unexpectedly; and there is no one among the ungodly who can escape divine justice.

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on a verse of Job not identified with certainty.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.6 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:512; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-6).

## Fragment on Job, no. 7

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-7
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:512
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: God allows temptation because no one could be righteous without an adversary.

### Greek text

Ἀπολογεῖται περὶ τοῦ θεοῦ, διὰ τί τοὺς πειρατὰς ἀφῆκεν πειράζειν ἡμᾶς· καὶ φησίν, ὅτι οὐκ ἠδύνατο δίκαιος εἶναι ἄνθρωπος, μὴ ὄντος αὐτῷ ἀνταγωνιστοῦ.

### English translation (Claude)

He defends God on the question why he allowed the tempters to tempt us; and he says that a human being could not be righteous if he had no opponent.

### Scripture references

- Job 7:1: allusion, low confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment, probably on Job 7:1 (“Is not human life on earth a trial?”, πειρατήριον in the LXX); the identification is uncertain.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.7 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:512; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-7).

## Fragment on Job, no. 8

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-8
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:512
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: The “worm” of Job 25:6 is read of Christ, humble and not born of human union.

### Greek text

Μεθόδιος ὁ Σίδης εἰς τὸν Χριστὸν ἐκλαμβάνει, καὶ φησίν· Αὐτοῦ ἄκουε λέγοντος· ἐγὼ δέ εἰμι σκώληξ καὶ οὐκ ἄνθρωπος. σκώληκα οὖν λέγει, οὐ διὰ κακίαν, ἀλλὰ διὰ τὴν ταπεινοφροσύνην ἢ καὶ ὅτι φησὶν ὁ σκώληξ οὐκ ἐκ συνδυασμοῦ γίνεται, ἀλλʼ ἐκ παρακειμένης ὕλης.

### English translation (Claude)

Methodius of Side takes it of Christ, and says: Hear him saying, “But I am a worm and not a man.” He calls himself a worm, then, not because of wickedness but because of humility; or else, he says, because the worm is not born of a pairing but from matter lying at hand.

### Scripture references

- Job 25:6: allusion, high confidence
- Ps 22:6 (21:7 LXX): quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 25:6, introduced by the catenist (“Methodius of Side”). Quoted: Ps 22:6 (21:7 LXX). The ancient belief that worms arise from matter without mating is used as an image of the virgin birth.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.8 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:512; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-8).

## Fragment on Job, no. 9

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-9
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:513
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: Job confesses that God's judgments are beyond human grasp, against friends who think they know why he suffers.

### Greek text

Κρίσει θεοῦ πάσχειν πεπεισμένος ὁ Ἰώβ, καὶ φήσας· Ζῇ κύριος ὃς οὕτω με κέκρικεν, τὴν περὶ τῶν κριμάτων τοῦ θεοῦ σοφίαν ἄληπτον εἶναι ὁμολογεῖ, οὐ μόνον αὐτῷ, ἀλλὰ καὶ παντὶ ἀνθρώπῳ, καὶ τὴν ἐπιστήμην τῆς βουλῆς τοῦ θεοῦ μὴ ἱκανὸν εἶναι παραδέξασθαι τὸν ἐπίγειον τόπον μεμολυσμένον ἁμαρτίαις. ταῦτα οὖν ὡς πρὸς τοὺς φίλους λέγει, τοὺς οἰομένους κατειληφέναι τὴν αἰτίαν διʼ ἣν ταῦτα ἔπασχεν.

### English translation (Claude)

Job, convinced that he suffers by God's judgment, and saying, “As the Lord lives, who has so judged me,” confesses that the wisdom concerning God's judgments is beyond grasp, not only for him but for every human being, and that the earthly place, defiled with sins, is not able to receive the knowledge of God's counsel. He says this, then, as if to his friends, who think they have grasped the reason why he was suffering these things.

### Scripture references

- Job 27:2: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 27:2 (LXX), quoted.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.9 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:513; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-9).

## Fragment on Job, no. 10

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-10
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:513
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: The “divine spirit” of Job 27:3 is read as the conscience God gives to all.

### Greek text

Πνεῦμα θεῖον· ὁ Μεθόδιος πᾶσιν ἀνθρώποις ὑπὸ θεοῦ δοθὲν εἴτε δικαίοις εἴτε ἀδίκοις τὸ συνειδὸς ἐκλαμβάνει κεντοῦν ἐπὶ τοῖς ἁμαρτήμασι τὴν ψυχὴν καὶ μὴ συνευδοκοῦν τοῖς παρὰ τὸν ὀρθὸν λόγον γινομένοις· περὶ οὗ φησι καὶ τὸν Ἰωάννην ἐν τῇ ἐπιστολῇ λέγειν· ἐὰν ἡ συνείδησις μὴ καταγινώσκῃ ἡμῶν, παρρησίαν ἔχομεν πρὸς τὸν θεόν· τί οὖν, φησί, τὸ καταγινωσκόμενον; οὐ γὰρ ἑαυτῆς ἡ συνείδησις καταγινώσκει, ἀλλὰ τῆς ψυχῆς ἁμαρτανούσης. περὶ τούτου καὶ ὁ Σολομὼν ἔφασκε· τὸ γὰρ ἄφθαρτόν σου πνεῦμά ἐστιν ἐν πᾶσιν.

### English translation (Claude)

“The divine spirit”: Methodius takes it to be the conscience, given by God to all human beings, righteous or unrighteous, which stings the soul for its sins and does not consent to what is done contrary to right reason. Of this, he says, John too speaks in his letter: “If our conscience does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.” What, then, he says, is condemned? For the conscience does not condemn itself, but the soul when it sins. Of this Solomon too said: “For your incorruptible spirit is in all things.”

### Scripture references

- Job 27:3: allusion, high confidence
- 1 John 3:21: quotation, high confidence

### Extrabiblical texts

- Wis 12:1 (Wisdom of Solomon): quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 27:3. 1 John 3:21 is quoted with “conscience” for “heart.” The saying ascribed to Solomon is Wis 12:1.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.10 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:513; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-10).

## Fragment on Job, no. 11

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-11
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:514
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: Christ, the Wisdom of God, went down to the abyss unconquered and enables those who trust him to walk on the waves of life.

### Greek text

Ὁ κύριος ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς ἡ τοῦ πατρὸς σοφία καταβέβηκεν εἰς τὴν ἄβυσσον καὶ καταβὰς οὐ κεκράτηται. ἄβυσσος οὖν εἶπεν· Οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν ἐμοί, ἔστιν γὰρ ἐν οὐρανῷ. καὶ θάλασσα εἶπεν· Οὐκ ἔστι μετʼ ἐμοῦ. αὕτη ἡ θάλασσα ὁ τῶν ἀνθρώπων βίος, ἐν ᾧ τὰ περὶ τὴν ἀρετὴν ναυάγια. ἐὰν οὖν θέλῃς ἵνα μετὰ σοῦ ἡ σοφία ᾖ, κἂν ᾖς ἐπὶ θαλάσσης πάτει τὰ κύματα, ἐπίδος σου τὴν χεῖρα τῇ σοφίᾳ, καὶ ποιήσει σε περιπατεῖν ἐπάνω τῶν κυμάτων.

### English translation (Claude)

Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of the Father, went down into the abyss, and having gone down he was not held fast. The abyss, then, said, “It is not in me,” for it is in heaven. And the sea said, “It is not with me.” This sea is human life, in which the shipwrecks of virtue happen. If, then, you wish wisdom to be with you, even if you are on the sea, tread the waves: give your hand to Wisdom, and she will make you walk upon the waves.

### Scripture references

- Job 28:14: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Cor 1:24: allusion, medium confidence
- Matt 14:25–31: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 28:14 (quoted). Christ walking on the sea and taking Peter's hand: Matt 14:25–31. “Wisdom of the Father”: 1 Cor 1:24.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.11 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:514; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-11).

## Fragment on Job, no. 12

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-12
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:514
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: “My head” is read as the mind, the ruling part of the soul.

### Greek text

Τουτέστιν ὑπὲρ σωτηρίας τῆς κεφαλῆς μου· ἤτοι τοῦ νοῦ· ὡς γὰρ ἡ κεφαλὴ τὸ κυριώτατον μέρος ἐστὶν ἐν τῷ σώματι, οὕτω τῆς ψυχῆς ἡμῶν τὸ κυριώτατόν ἐστιν ὁ νοῦς.

### English translation (Claude)

That is, for the salvation of my head, that is, of my mind. For as the head is the most sovereign part of the body, so the most sovereign part of our soul is the mind.

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on a verse of Job not identified with certainty.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.12 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:514; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-12).

## Fragment on Job, no. 13

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-13
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:514
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: Job made his wealth into virtue by using it well.

### Greek text

Ὅτε εἶχον ἐγώ, δίκαιος ὤν, φησίν, τὴν χρήσιμον ἐμοὶ ὕλην, πεποίηκα ἀρετήν· πᾶσι γὰρ καλῶς ἐχρώμην.

### English translation (Claude)

When I, being righteous, he says, had the material useful to me, I made it into virtue; for I used everything well.

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment, probably on Job 29 or 31; the lemma is not identified with certainty.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.13 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:514; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-13).

## Fragment on Job, no. 14

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-14
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:514
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: God speaks to Job only after his long testing, through a whirlwind that signifies the storm he endured and clouds that signify his restoration.

### Greek text

Ὁ κύριος ἀρχῆθεν ἀνθρώποις οὐ λαλεῖ· ἀλλʼ ἐπὰν παρασκευάσηται ψυχὴ διὰ πλειόνων, καὶ ὠφεληθῇ διά τε ἀνθρώπων καὶ διὰ τῆς ἰδίας προσευχῆς καὶ ἐπιμελείας, καὶ ἐγγυμνάσηται, καὶ ἀναβῇ εἰς ὕψος καθʼ ὅσον δυνατὸν ἀνθρωπίνῃ φύσει, τότε ὁ κύριος λαλεῖ, καὶ τοὺς ἑαυτοῦ λόγους ἀποκαλύπτει τοῖς εἰς τοσοῦτον ἀναβεβηκόσιν. οὕτω τοιγαροῦν καὶ τῷ Ἰὼβ πεποίηκε· διετήρει γὰρ αὐτῷ τὸν λόγον ὡς στέφανον. Ζητήσωμεν δὲ καὶ τό· διὰ λαίλαπος καὶ νεφῶν. οὐ γὰρ φαίνεται ποτέ τινι τῶν προτέρων διὰ λαίλαπος λελαληκὼς ὁ θεός. ἡ οὖν λαῖλαψ χειμῶνός ἐστι ποιητική· τῷ δὲ Ἰὼβ μέγιστος χειμὼν ἐληλύθει, ὅλος ὁ διάβολος ἐνέσκηψεν αὐτῷ. τοῦτο αἰτήσας ἀπὸ θεοῦ. χειμὼν ἦν τῷ Ἰὼβ καὶ ὁ λόγος τῶν φίλων. ἐν τῷ τοιούτῳ χειμῶνι ὑπέστη καὶ ἐκαρτέρησεν· ὡς δὲ νοήμων, κυβέρνησιν κτησάμενος, περὶ τὴν πίστιν οὐκ ἐναυάγησεν. διὰ τοῦτο ὁ χρηματίζων αὐτῷ πρὸς σύμβολον τοῦ καταλαβόντος αὐτὸν χειμῶνος, ἐν ᾧ καὶ διέλαμψεν, διὰ λαίλαπος χρηματίζει, καὶ εἰ μὲν ἔμεινε τὰ τοῦ Ἰὼβ ἐν τῇ περιστάσει ταύτῃ, ὥστε αὐτὸν καταλειφθῆναι ταῦτα πάσχοντα καὶ ἐξελθεῖν τὸν βίον, ἐλάλησεν ἂν αὐτῷ ὁ κύριος διὰ λαίλαπος μόνον. νῦν δὲ ἐπειδὴ μεταβάλλει αὐτῷ τὰ πράγματα ἀπὸ χειμῶνος εἰς εὐδίαν, καὶ ἐπειδὴ ἀπείληφε τὴν ὑγείαν τοῦ σώματος, διὰ τοῦτο ὁ χρηματίζων αὐτῷ οὐ μόνον διὰ λαίλαπος, ἀλλὰ καὶ διὰ νεφῶν λαλεῖ.

### English translation (Claude)

The Lord does not speak to human beings from the start; but when a soul has been prepared by many means, and has been helped both through other people and through its own prayer and diligence, and has been trained, and has gone up to a height as far as is possible for human nature, then the Lord speaks, and reveals his own words to those who have gone up so far. So, accordingly, he did for Job too; for he kept his word for him like a crown. Let us also inquire into the words “through whirlwind and clouds.” For God does not appear ever to have spoken to any of those before through a whirlwind. The whirlwind, then, is what makes a storm; and the greatest storm had come upon Job: the devil in full fell upon him, having asked this from God. The words of his friends were also a storm for Job. In such a storm he stood firm and endured; and as a man of understanding, having acquired skill in steering, he did not suffer shipwreck concerning the faith. For this reason the one who speaks to him, as a sign of the storm that had seized him, in which he also shone out, speaks through a whirlwind. And if Job's affairs had remained in this distress, so that he was left suffering these things and departed this life, the Lord would have spoken to him through a whirlwind only. But now, since his affairs change for him from storm to fair weather, and since he has recovered his bodily health, the one who speaks to him speaks not only through a whirlwind but also through clouds.

### Scripture references

- Job 38:1: quotation, high confidence
- Job 1:11–12: allusion, medium confidence
- 1 Tim 1:19: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 38:1 (LXX: “through whirlwind and clouds”). “Did not suffer shipwreck concerning the faith”: 1 Tim 1:19.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.14 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:514; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-14).

## Fragment on Job, no. 15

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-15
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:515
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: The rebuke “Who is this who hides counsel?” (Job 38:2) is read as addressed to the defeated devil, not to Job.

### Greek text

Ἐπειδὴ νενίκηται ὁ πειράζων μεγαλοφρονεῖ ὁ ἀγωνοθέτης ἐπὶ τῷ ἰδίῳ ἀθλητῇ καὶ φησὶν ὡς πρὸς τὸν νενικημένον· Τίς οὗτος ὁ κρύπτων; τίνι γὰρ ἐφαρμόζει λέγεσθαι τοῦτο; ὁ Ἰὼβ οὐκ ἔκρυπτεν, εὐσεβὴς ὑπάρχων καὶ ὅσιος. οὗτος δέ, ᾧ ἐπιπλήσσει, κρύπτειν ἐθέλει καὶ ὑπολαμβάνει τὴν βουλὴν αὐτοῦ κρυπτομένην ἀπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ. πλὴν αὐτὸς ταῦτα ποιεῖ ὡς κρύπτων. καὶ γὰρ ὁ Ἀδὰμ ὅτε ἥμαρτεν ᾤετο κρύπτεσθαι ἀπὸ προσώπου κυρίου.

### English translation (Claude)

Since the tempter has been defeated, the president of the games takes pride in his own athlete and says, as to the one defeated: “Who is this who hides?” For to whom is it fitting that this be said? Job was not hiding, since he was pious and holy. But this one whom he rebukes wishes to hide and supposes that his plan is hidden from God. Yet he does these things as one hiding. For Adam too, when he sinned, thought he was hiding from the presence of the Lord.

### Scripture references

- Job 38:2: quotation, high confidence
- Gen 3:8: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 38:2 (LXX). Adam hiding: Gen 3:8.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.15 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:515; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-15).

## Fragment on Job, no. 16

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-16
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:515
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: God's challenge “Gird up your loins” (Job 38:3) is read as addressed to the devil, who cannot answer.

### Greek text

Ὡς πρὸς τὸν διάβολον· Γενναῖος εἶ, ζῶσαι ὥσπερ ἀνὴρ τὴν ὀσφύν σου, καὶ ἐρωτήσω σε. οὐ πιστεύεις με εἶναί τινά σου σοφώτερον, ἀλλʼ οἴει μέγας εἶναί τις; οὕτω γὰρ καὶ ὑπὸ τοῦ Ἡσαΐου λέλεκται ὁ διάβολος· ἐπάξω ἐπὶ τὸν νοῦν τὸν μέγαν, τὸν ἄρχοντα τῶν Ἀσσυρίων. λέγει οὖν αὐτῷ· Ζῶσαι ὥσπερ ἀνὴρ τὴν ὀσφύν σου. οὐ ζώννυται δέ. ἐρωτήσω δέ σε, σὺ δέ μοι ἀποκρίθητι. — ὁ δὲ οὐ δύναται αὐτῷ ἀποκριθῆναι. τίς γὰρ ἔγνω νοῦν κυρίου; ἢ τίς σύμβουλος αὐτῷ ἐγένετο;

### English translation (Claude)

As to the devil: “You are a noble fellow; gird up your loins like a man, and I will question you. You do not believe that anyone is wiser than you, but you think you are someone great?” For so the devil is called by Isaiah too: “I will bring judgment on the great mind, the ruler of the Assyrians.” He says to him, then, “Gird up your loins like a man.” But he does not gird himself. “I will question you, and you answer me.” But he cannot answer him. “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor?”

### Scripture references

- Job 38:3: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 10:12: quotation, high confidence
- Rom 11:34: quotation, high confidence
- Isa 40:13: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 38:3. Quoted: Isa 10:12 (LXX, “the great mind, the ruler of the Assyrians”); Rom 11:34 (Isa 40:13).

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.16 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:515; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-16).

## Fragment on Job, no. 17

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-17
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:516
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: The devil had already fallen before creation; the darkness of Gen 1:2 is darkness by choice, not created darkness.

### Greek text

Ἐμοὶ φιλονεικεῖς; καὶ πρὸς ἐμὲ ἵστασαι; καὶ τοῖς ἐμοῖς ἀθληταῖς ἀνταγωνίζῃ; ποῦ δὲ ἦς, ὅτε ἐγὼ τὴν γῆν εἰργαζόμην; τίς ἦς τότε; ἤδη, φησίν, ἐπεπτώκεις. καὶ γὰρ ἐν τῇ ἀρχῇ τῆς κοσμοποιΐας σκότος ἦν, φησίν, ἐπάνω τῆς ἀβύσσου. σκότος τοῦτο, οὐ κτισθὲν σκότος, ἀλλὰ προαιρετικῶς ἀρξάμενον εἶναι σκότος τῇ τοῦ φωτὸς στερήσει.

### English translation (Claude)

“Do you contend with me? Do you stand against me? Do you fight against my athletes? Where were you when I was making the earth? Who were you then?” You had already fallen, he says. For at the beginning of the making of the world, he says, “darkness was upon the abyss.” This darkness is not created darkness, but darkness that began to be by choice, through the loss of light.

### Scripture references

- Job 38:4: allusion, high confidence
- Gen 1:2: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 38:4. Quoted: Gen 1:2.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.17 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:516; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-17).

## Fragment on Job, no. 18

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-18
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:516
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: The plural “measures” of Job 38:5 shows the variety of the earth's produce.

### Greek text

Οὐχὶ τὸ μέτρον, ἀλλὰ τὰ μέτρα, ἵνα τὰς διαφορὰς τῆς γῆς παραστήσῃ τῆς τόδε τι τυχὸν φερούσης καὶ τῆς ἕτερόν τι, καὶ ἄλλης ἄλλο.

### English translation (Claude)

Not “the measure” but “the measures,” to show the differences of the earth: one part bearing this, another that, and another something else.

### Scripture references

- Job 38:5: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 38:5.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.18 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:516; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-18).

## Fragment on Job, no. 19

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-19
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:516
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: The catenist notes that Methodius's commentary ends here, then reads the cornerstone of Job 38:6 as Christ, who joins Jews and Gentiles.

### Greek text

Μέχρι τούτου ἐλθὼν ὁ μακάριος πατὴρ οὗτος, καὶ καταπαύει τὸ ὑπόμνημα. ὥστε γοῦν εὑρεῖν λίθον γωνιαῖον. τοῦτο δύναται καὶ εἰς τὸν μονογενῆ τοῦ θεοῦ υἱόν, διʼ ἡμᾶς σαρκωθέντα νοεῖσθαι, κατὰ τὸ ἐν ψαλμοῖς· λίθον ὃν ἀπεδοκίμασαν οἱ οἰκοδομοῦντες, οἱ τῶν Ἰουδαίων διδάσκαλοι, οὗτος ἐγενήθη εἰς κεφαλὴν γωνίας. εὐδοκίᾳ γὰρ τοῦ πατρὸς ἐλθὼν ἐπὶ γῆς συνῆψεν ἐν ἑαυτῷ τοὺς δύο λαοὺς τῶν Ἰουδαίων τε καὶ ἐθνῶν, ὥσπερ ἀμέλει καὶ ὁ γωνιαῖος λίθος ἀμφοτέρους συνδεῖ τοὺς τοίχους.

### English translation (Claude)

Having come this far, this blessed father ends his commentary. “So as to find a cornerstone”: this can also be understood of the only-begotten Son of God, made flesh for us, according to what is in the Psalms: “The stone which the builders rejected,” the teachers of the Jews, “has become the head of the corner.” For having come to earth by the good pleasure of the Father, he joined together in himself the two peoples, of the Jews and of the nations, just as the cornerstone binds both walls together.

### Scripture references

- Job 38:6: quotation, high confidence
- Ps 118:22 (117:22 LXX): quotation, high confidence
- Eph 2:14–20: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 38:6. The first sentence is the catenist's: Methodius's commentary on Job ended at this verse; the rest may be the catenist's own comment. Quoted: Ps 118:22 (117:22 LXX), with the gloss “the teachers of the Jews.” The two peoples joined: Eph 2:14–20.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.19 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:516; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-19).

## Fragment on Job, no. 20

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-20
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:517
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: A “great voice” is one that utters great things, as Paul's “great letters.”

### Greek text

Φωνὴ δὲ μεγάλη, ἢ μεγαλεῖα φθεγγομένη, ὡς τὸ ἀποστολικόν· ἴδετε πηλίκοις ὑμῖν γράμμασιν ἔγραψα. τοῖς τὰ τηλικαῦτα δηλονότι σημαίνουσιν.

### English translation (Claude)

“A great voice,” that is, one that utters great things, as in the apostle's words: “See with what great letters I have written to you,” that is, letters that signify such great things.

### Scripture references

- Gal 6:11: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on a verse of Job not identified with certainty. Quoted: Gal 6:11, taken of the greatness of the content, not the size of the letters.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.20 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:517; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-20).

## Fragment on Job, no. 21

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-21
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:517
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: Christ alone went down to the abyss as a free man and called its prisoners out.

### Greek text

[Πάλιν ἐπὶ τὴν θάλασσαν τὸν λόγον μετήγαγεν. οὐχ ὡς πηγὴν τῆς θαλάσσης ἐχούσης, ἀλλʼ ὡς μὴ ἐκλειπούσης, καθάπερ πηγὴν ἐχούσης.] εἰς ἄβυσσον πολλοὶ καταβεβήκασιν· καταβεβήκασι δέ, ὥστε δέσμιοι εἶναι, οὐχ ὥστε περιπατεῖν ἐν αὐτῇ. Ἰησοῦς μόνος ἐν ἀβύσσῳ περιεπάτησεν ὡς ἐλεύθερος, ὅπου ἴχνη περιπατούντων οὐκ ἔνι [εἵλετο γὰρ θάνατον, οὐχ ὑπεύθυνος ὤν, ἵνα τοὺς ὑποκειμένους θανάτῳ λυτρώσηται]. καὶ λέγει τοῖς ἐν δεσμοῖς· ἐξέλθατε [καὶ τοῖς ἐν σκότει· ἀνακαλύφθητε, ᾧ καὶ τὰ ἑξῆς συμφωνοῦσιν].

### English translation (Claude)

[Again he turned the discourse to the sea: not as though the sea had a spring, but as never failing, as though it had a spring.] Many have gone down into the abyss; but they have gone down so as to be prisoners, not so as to walk about in it. Jesus alone walked in the abyss as a free man, where there are no tracks of those who walk [for he chose death, though not liable to it, to ransom those subject to death]. And he says to those in bonds, “Come out” [and to those in darkness, “Be uncovered,” with which what follows also agrees].

### Scripture references

- Job 38:16: allusion, high confidence
- Isa 49:9: quotation, high confidence
- 1 Pet 3:19: allusion, medium confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 38:16 (“Have you gone to the spring of the sea and walked in the tracks of the abyss?”). The bracketed words are printed in square brackets by Bonwetsch as probably not from Methodius; they are translated in brackets. Quoted: Isa 49:9 (LXX). The descent of Christ to the dead: 1 Pet 3:19.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.21 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:517; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-21).

## Fragment on Job, no. 22

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-22
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:517
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: God tells Job his sufferings were not without reason but were meant to show him righteous.

### Greek text

[Ταῦτα ἅπερ ὑπέμεινας, μὴ οἴου ἀλόγως κεχρίσθαι μοι, μηδὲ ἀποποιοῦ μου τὸ κρίμα. τούτου τοῦ ῥητοῦ ὡς χρησίμου μνημονεύωμεν, ὅταν κρίνῃ ὁ θεὸς παθεῖν τι ἡμᾶς, τέκνον ἀποβαλεῖν, ἀρχὴν ἀπολέσαι, νοσῆσαι κατὰ τὸ σῶμα, ὅ τι δήποτε τούτων ὑποστῆναι· οὐδὲν τούτων οἷόν τε ἐστὶ παθεῖν ἡμᾶς, μὴ κρίνοντος τοῦ θεοῦ. ἐπεὶ οὖν οὐδὲν τούτων γίνεται χωρὶς κρίματος θεοῦ, λέγεται πρὸς τὸν παθόντα· μὴ ἀποποιοῦ μου τὸ κρίμα, τουτέστι μὴ ἀπαρνοῦ ὅπερ ἔκρινα περὶ σοῦ.] μὴ νομίσῃς, φησίν, ταῦτα ἅπερ ὑπέμεινας, ἀλόγως κεχρίσθαι μοι, ἀλλὰ προεισομένου μου τὸ συμφέρον σοι· προσέθηκα γὰρ τοῖς πειρασμοῖς τὸν χρηματισμὸν οὐκ ἄλλου τινὸς ἕνεκεν, ἢ ἵνα δίκαιος ἀναφανῇς. ὅ ἐστι, δειχθῇς ὅπερ ἦς.

### English translation (Claude)

[Do not think that these things you have endured were decreed for you by me without reason, and do not set aside my judgment. Let us remember this saying as useful whenever God judges that we should suffer something: lose a child, lose office, fall ill in body, undergo any of these things whatever. None of these can we suffer unless God judges it so. Since, then, none of these happens without God's judgment, it is said to the sufferer: “Do not set aside my judgment,” that is, do not deny what I judged concerning you.] Do not suppose, he says, that these things you have endured were decreed for you by me without reason, but by me who foreknew what was to your benefit; for I added to the trials my answer to you for no other reason than that you might appear righteous, that is, that you might be shown to be what you were.

### Scripture references

- Job 40:8: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 40:8 (LXX: “Do not set aside my judgment; do you think I dealt with you otherwise than that you might appear righteous?”). The bracketed passage is printed in square brackets by Bonwetsch as probably not from Methodius; translated in brackets.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.22 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:517; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-22).

## Fragment on Job, no. 23

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-23
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:518
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: The beasts and the dragon of Job are the hostile powers, over which the servant of God has authority.

### Greek text

Ὡς ἀθλητής, μάνθανε τὰ περὶ τοῦ δράκοντος, τοῦ ἀνταγωνιστοῦ. [Θηρία αἱ ἀντικείμεναι δυνάμεις ἐστίν. περὶ ὧν ἤρξατο ὁ προφήτης λέγων· μὴ παραδῷς τοῖς θηρίοις ψυχὴν ἐξομολογουμένην σοι. — Θηρία εἰσὶν αἱ ἀντικείμεναι δυνάμεις. ὧν εἴληφας, ὦ ἄνθρωπε, τὴν ἐξουσίαν, ἐὰν θεῷ δουλεύσῃς, ἐπὶ ἀσπίδων καὶ βασιλίσκων ἐπιβαίνειν.]

### English translation (Claude)

As an athlete, learn about the dragon, your opponent. [The beasts are the hostile powers. Of them the prophet began by saying, “Do not hand over to the beasts a soul that confesses you.” The beasts are the hostile powers. Over them, O man, you have received authority, if you serve God, to tread upon asps and basilisks.]

### Scripture references

- Job 40:15: allusion, low confidence
- Ps 74:19 (73:19 LXX): quotation, high confidence
- Ps 91:13 (90:13 LXX): allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 40 (the dragon; Job 40:15–41:34). The bracketed passage is printed in square brackets by Bonwetsch as probably not from Methodius; translated in brackets. Quoted: Ps 74:19 (73:19 LXX); alluded to: Ps 91:13 (90:13 LXX).

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.23 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:518; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-23).

## Fragment on Job, no. 24

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-24
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:518
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: The plants under which the beast rests are read as the souls and demons among whom the devil dwells, including some who practise chastity.

### Greek text

[Ταῦτα ὕλη καὶ τροφὴ πυρὸς τυγχάνει· αὐλίζεται δὲ μάλιστα παρὰ τοῖς ἀξίοις τοῦ πυρός, ὑπὸ τὰς ὑγρὰς καὶ ἀτόνους καὶ ἀκάρπους ψυχάς, αἱ πυρός εἰσιν ὗλαι… ἢ τοῦτο λέγει, ὅτι συνδιαιτῶνται αὐτῷ καὶ μεγάλοι τινὲς δαίμονες καὶ ὑποβεβηκότες τῇ κακίᾳ, ἢ ὅτι μικροὺς καὶ μεγάλους ἄνδρας ἐπέρχεται, πάντας ὁμοίως ὑποτρέχων. ῥάδαμνοι γὰρ αἱ παραφυάδες· λέγει οὖν ὡς ὑπὸ σκιαῖς δένδρων, οὕτω παρὰ τούτοις ἐπαναπαύεται. καὶ κλῶνες ἀγνοῦ. ἐπειδὴ πολλοὶ πολλάκις καὶ ἀγνείαν ἀσκήσαντες τῆς αὐτοῦ μερίδος γεγόνασιν, ὡς αἱ μωραὶ παρθένοι· εἰσὶ γὰρ καὶ παρʼ αὐτῷ ἀγνεύοντες.]

### English translation (Claude)

[These are the material and food of fire. And he lodges above all among those worthy of the fire, beneath moist, feeble, and fruitless souls, which are fuel for fire … Or he means this: that both certain great demons and those lower in wickedness live with him; or that he attacks both small and great men, slipping under all alike. For “branches” are the side-shoots; he says, then, that as under the shade of trees, so he rests among these. “And shoots of the chaste-tree”: since many, often even after practising chastity, have become of his portion, like the foolish virgins; for there are also those with him who keep chaste.]

### Scripture references

- Job 40:21–22: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 25:1–13: allusion, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 40:21–22 (LXX). The whole is printed in square brackets by Bonwetsch as probably not from Methodius; translated in brackets. A gap is marked in the text (…). “Chaste-tree” renders ἄγνος (vitex), which the comment links with ἁγνεία, “chastity.” The foolish virgins: Matt 25:1–13.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.24 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:518; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-24).

## Fragment on Job, no. 25

- URL: https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-25
- Source: Bonwetsch GCS 27:518
- Translation: Claude (claude-opus-5-5), 2026-10-17

Summary: The taming of the dragon (Job 40:25–26 LXX) is read of the demons' defeat and of good works that silence the devil.

### Greek text

[Ἵνα μηκέτι συρίζῃ ὁ δράκων. τοῦτό φησι διὰ τὸ παρακληθῆναι ὑπὸ τῶν δαιμόνων μὴ βαλεῖν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν ἄβυσσον. ἢ τοῦτο λέγει διὰ τὸ εἰρηκέναι αὐτὸν τῷ κυρίῳ· ταῦτά σοι πάντα δώσω… ἢ ὅτι μὴ δύνασαι οὕτως ὑποτάξαι αὐτὸν ὡς αἱρεῖσθαι μηκέτι σοι πολεμεῖν.] — [τὸ ψέλλιον κόσμος ἐστὶ τῆς χειρός, τοῦτό ἐστι τὸ ἔργον ἀγαθόν. ὁ οὖν ἔχων τὸ τοιοῦτον ψέλλιον τρυπήσει τὸ χεῖλος τοῦ δράκοντος τοῦ ἐξ ἐναντίας τοῦ διαβόλου ἐντρεπομένου, μὴ ἔχοντός τι λαλῆσαι κατʼ αὐτοῦ.]

### English translation (Claude)

[“So that the dragon may no longer hiss.” He says this because the demons begged him not to cast them into the abyss. Or he says it because he said to the Lord, “All these I will give you” … or: because you cannot so subdue him that he chooses no longer to make war on you.] — [The bracelet is an ornament of the hand, that is, a good work. Whoever, then, has such a bracelet will pierce the lip of the dragon, while the devil on the opposing side is put to shame, having nothing to say against him.]

### Scripture references

- Job 41:1–2 (40:25-Job LXX): allusion, high confidence
- Luke 8:31: allusion, high confidence
- Matt 4:9: quotation, high confidence

### Translation notes

- Catena fragment on Job 40:25–26 (LXX; 41:1–2 in English Bibles). Printed in square brackets by Bonwetsch as probably not from Methodius; translated in brackets. A gap is marked in the text (…). The demons' plea: Luke 8:31. The devil's offer: Matt 4:9.

### Citation (SBL)

Methodius, Frag. Job 1.25 (Bonwetsch GCS 27:518; trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/methodius-fragmenta/1-1/#p-1-25).