Беседа 24

Eph.6:14–17. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; and above all, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery arrows of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. What is a Christian's weapon and with whom should he fight? – About Anna, mother of Samuel. 1. “Having girded your loins,” says (Paul), “with truth.” What is the meaning of these words, this was discussed in the previous conversation. Namely: we must become so light that nothing hinders our wanderings. “Put on the armor of righteousness.” Just as armor protects from wounds, so does truth (save us). Here he calls all generally virtuous life truth. Of course, many inflict wounds on it; but no one can ever defeat and overthrow it, not even the devil himself. As it would be said: having implanted righteous deeds in his chest, Christ says: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6). An expression that is not entirely clear. What does it mean? By preparing the gospel, he puts on us, as it were, beautiful sandals. What he means here is either readiness for the gospel, so that this work must be served by the legs, as well as the provision and protection of the gospel path, or, if this explanation is incorrect, then he wants to say that they (the Ephesians) prepare for the exodus. Be that as it may, but by “readiness to preach the gospel” we mean nothing other than the best way of life. The prophet also said about this: “your ear has heard the readiness of their hearts” (Ps. 9:38), that is, a heart that was well tuned. “to preach the gospel of peace,” it says. And rightly so. Above, he mentioned war and battles, and now he indicates with whom battles should be fought, namely with demons. That is why the gospel becomes the gospel of peace. The war with the devil ends another war - against God. We are at enmity with the devil: this means we are at peace with God. Therefore, beloved, do not be afraid (of this war); the gospel of peace is already showing victory. “And above all, take the shield of faith.” He speaks here of faith, not knowledge. Yes, even if I had not mentioned faith, I still would not have failed to talk about grace, by the power of which signs are accomplished. And he rightly calls faith a shield. Just as a shield covers the entire body, becoming like a wall, so is faith, because everything is inferior to it. “By whom you will be able to quench all the fiery arrows of the evil one.” Nothing can cut through this shield. Listen to what Christ says to his disciples: “if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move” (Matthew 17:20). But how can we acquire such faith? If we do this (quench the kindled arrows of the evil one). He calls both temptations and obscene wishes the arrows of the evil one. By the way, he also added: “once about the burnt ones.” This is precisely the property of passions; but if faith also commands demons, then it is all the easier for it to cope with spiritual passions. “And take the helmet of salvation.” That is, your salvation. Protects them, as if leading them to war. “And the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Either he is talking here about the Spirit, or he means a sword, understood in a spiritual sense - a sword with which, in fact, everything is cut, everything is crushed - with which we can even cut off the head of a dragon. “Pray with every prayer and supplication at all times in the Spirit, and strive to do this with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints and for me, so that the word may be given to me to openly and boldly proclaim with my mouth the mystery of the gospel, for which I am doing my mission in prison, so that I may preach boldly as I ought” (Eph. 6-20). Having spiritual talent, that is, the word of God, is as powerful as this very word, about which it is said: “For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword” (Heb. 4:12). But note the wisdom of the blessed one (Paul). He armed them (the Ephesians) with all precaution; (help), saying: “Pray every prayer and supplication at all times in the Spirit.” You can pray not with the spirit, for example, when someone prays for vain things. “And try about this.” Otherwise: sober. This is exactly what he should be, that is, vigilant and sober, who is armed and stands with the Tsar. “With all perseverance and prayer for all the saints and for me, so that the word may be given to me through my mouth.” What are you saying, blessed Paul? Do you really need disciples? And it is well said: “it is revealed with my mouth.” Without any doubt, he did not learn for a long time what to say; but as Christ said: “When they betray you, do not worry about how or what to say; for in that hour it will be given to you what to say” (Matthew 10:19) - and so he did everything, by faith and with the assistance of grace. “To proclaim the mystery of the gospel with boldness,” that is, to properly protect it for me. You are bound by bonds: is that why you need others? Yes, he answers. But even when Peter was imprisoned, there was also constant prayer for him. “For whom I do my mission in chains, that I may preach boldly as I ought” (Eph. 6:20). In other words: so that I can respond boldly, courageously and with greater prudence. “And that you also may know my circumstances and affairs, Tychicus, my beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make you aware of everything” (Eph. 6:21). 2. (The Apostle himself only) mentioned that he was in bonds; Tichicus instructs Tichicus to tell the details about his situation. He explained in his message everything that relates to dogmas and consolation; as for the news itself, he left this to the one who delivered the message. That’s why he added: “so that you too might know,” that is, so that you would become aware, “about me.” And through this he showed his love for them and gave an opportunity to reveal their love for him. “Whom I sent to you for this very purpose, that you might know about us and that he might comfort your hearts” (Eph. 6:22). And this does not just say, without saying in advance: “having put on”, and: “having girded” - what exactly serves as a sign of constant and continuous readiness to go out (to battle). Listen to what the prophet says: “let it be like a garment in which he dresses, and like a belt with which he always girds himself” (Ps. 109:19). And another in another place says: “The righteous is bold as a lion” (Prov. 28:1). He who is dressed in such armor has nothing to fear from the enemy hordes. On the contrary, he can safely go into the very midst of the enemy. And Isaiah says: “How beautiful... are the feet of the evangelist” (Isaiah 52:7). After this, who will not decide, who will not hasten to serve such a cause, what is the gospel of peace, and the peace of God with people - a peace that is given to us without any effort on the part of man, but by the grace of God? To understand the meaning of the words: “to be prepared to preach the gospel,” let us also listen to the words of John: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight” (Matthew 3:3). True, he said this (preparing people) for baptism; but even after baptism another preparation is required. (Paul) points to the latter when he says: “in readiness to preach the gospel of peace,” and thereby suggests that we should not do anything at all that is not in accordance with the conditions of the world. Since the name of the feet often denotes a way of life, then (Paul), often speaking about life and making exhortations, uses expressions like the following: “Take heed therefore and tread carefully” (Eph. 5:15). So, let us behave worthy of the Gospel, let us act in such a way that our lives and deeds are pure throughout our entire earthly career. Peace is proclaimed in the Gospel: follow the path laid out according to this gospel. If you again become enemies, in this case there will be no “readiness to preach the gospel of peace.” Be prepared and do not retreat from the world. And whatever readiness you have shown regarding peace and faith, continue in them with the same. Faith is a shield, and the shield is the first to receive enemy blows and keep the weapon intact. This means that if there is a right faith and a virtuous life, then the weapon will remain inviolable. Paul talks a lot about faith, as well as hope, in other places, especially in the letter to the Hebrews. Believe, he says there, in future blessings, and you will not lose a single one of the blessings of this life. And indeed: be guided in misfortunes and difficult circumstances by faith and hope, and you will retain (the indicated benefits) intact and inviolable. “He who comes to God must believe that He exists and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). Faith is a shield covering those who believe without testing. When someone begins to delve into wisdom, you begin to think about everything and judge in your own way, for such a person faith does not constitute a shield. On the contrary, then we only stumble over it. Faith covers and overshadows everything: this should be its property. And therefore it cannot be shortened; otherwise the legs or some other part of the body will remain exposed. No; the shield must be of proportionate size. Kindled. There are many thoughts that excite the soul, many doubts and unanswerable questions; but true faith gives a calming answer to everything. There are many suggestions with which the devil, inflaming our soul, will plunge it into various kinds of bewilderment. For example, some say: is there a resurrection? Is there a court? Is there retribution? Just have the shield of faith, and you will quench the arrows of the devil with it. If some frantic desire has arisen in you, if evil thoughts are burning inside you, show him faith in future blessings, and he will not appear again, and what’s more, he will perish. “All ... arrows”, and not so that some are extinguished and others are not. Listen to what Paul says: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (Rom. 8:18). Do you see how many arrows the righteous once extinguished? Or do you think that this is not a kindled arrow, when the patriarch, burning with inner fire, sacrifices his son? And other righteous people could also extinguish all the arrows (of the evil one). Whether thoughts are at war within us, let us move faith forward. If we are overwhelmed by frantic desires, let us call on faith to help; Whether we are in difficult circumstances and misfortune, let us seek consolation in faith. Faith is what protects every weapon; if it is not there, then the weapon will immediately be crushed. “And above all,” it is said, “take the shield of faith.” What does “and most of all” mean? And above the truth, and above the truth, and “in readiness to preach the gospel.” In other words, all this requires faith. Therefore, he added: “and take the helmet of salvation,” that is, you can achieve final security and avoid all misfortune otherwise than through faith. Just as a helmet protects the head from any danger, because it carefully covers it from all sides, so faith, in addition to serving instead of a shield, also replaces the helmet of salvation. And when the arrows (of the evil one) are extinguished, then we will immediately receive thoughts that will protect the principle that rules within us (the mind) and will not allow it to suffer in any way. In fact, when contrary thoughts fade away, in their place others arise in us, which, unlike those, protect us and inspire hope. And like a helmet on a head, so they will cover the principle that rules within us. 3. And not only do we need to take (the shield and helmet), but also the sword of the Spirit, in order not only to protect ourselves from (the arrows) thrown at us by the devil, but to defeat him himself. Indeed, wielding this sword, the soul, while still protected from flaming arrows, can stand against the enemy with complete courage; With this sword she will be able to crush the enemy’s armor, kill the dragon and cut off his head. And Paul himself, with the same (sword), destroyed and captured the devices of the devil. "Which is the Word of God". Here he calls the word of God the commandment or teaching that Jesus Christ bequeathed to the apostles and which they preached everywhere, performing miracles in His name. Let us also observe one thing - how to preserve God’s commandments in everything. Fulfilling them will lead us to the fact that in this way we will overthrow and kill the dragon - this cunning serpent. And note the prudence of Paul. Above, he said: “you will be able to quench all the fiery arrows of the evil one”; now, in order not to make them arrogant, he points out that in this matter they most of all need God’s help. What exactly is he saying? “Everything is by prayer and petition.” As if I would say this: you will achieve this, and you can accomplish everything if you begin to pray; but it will never happen that during prayer, meaning only yourself, you will thus attract the mercy of God to yourself. “Everyone,” he says, “pray with prayer and petition at all times in the spirit, and try to do this with all constancy and prayer for all the saints.” Do not limit yourself to one known time of the day. Do you hear what he says? Start praying at all times. Pray without ceasing, he says. Haven’t you heard about the widow, how she defeated (the judge), thanks to her perseverance? Have you heard how one friend earnestly prayed and begged (his friend)? Have you not also heard about the Canaanite woman, how she, with her persistent request, aroused the Lord’s participation? These people achieved their goal with persistence. “And be diligent about this,” it is said. Whatever Paul means here—whether all-night vigils or sobriety of the soul—I accept both. You see how the Canaanite woman was awake when, despite the inattention of the Lord, Who not only rejected her (at first), but also called her a dog, she said: “So, Lord! but the dogs also eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table” (Matthew 15:27)? And she did not retreat from Him until she received what she asked. What did the widow do, who never ceased to beg the judge, who neither feared God nor was ashamed of people, until she rebuked him? How troubled was the friend who, in the dead of midnight, came (to his friend) and insisted until he woke him up and shamed him with his persistent request? These are the fruits of wakefulness! Do you also want to accustom your soul to wakefulness? Go to Hannah and listen to what she says: “Lord [Almighty God] of hosts!” (1 Samuel 1:11). Listen especially to what happened before these words were spoken. And they all got up, it was said, because of the meal, and she immediately went, not to sleep or to rest. Therefore, I think that during the meal she did not eat anything and did not burden herself with any dishes. Otherwise I wouldn’t have shed so many tears. If even during fasting we hardly, or, better said, never pray the way Anna prayed, then after a meal she would not have made a similar prayer at all if she had not imitated the custom of fasters during the meal. Let us men be ashamed of this woman! She prayed for a son and cried, but we ask for the kingdom (of heaven), and do it with carelessness. “And she stood,” it is said, “before the Lord” (1 Samuel 1:9). What does she say? “Lord [Almighty God] of hosts!” - words that in explanation mean: “Lord, God of hosts.” But the tears flowed before she could say anything. With them she hoped to bend the mercy of God to herself. Where there are tears, there is complete contrition; and where there is contrition, there is much wisdom and prudence. “If You will consider the sorrow of Your servant ... and give me a son, then I will give him [as a gift] to the Lord forever” (1 Samuel 1:11). She did not say: for one year or two, as we do, and she did not say: “If you give me a child, I will give money,” but: “When my firstborn, the son of prayer, is born, I will give him entirely instead of a gift.” This was truly the daughter of Abraham. God demanded a son from him, and he gave it; this one gives even before her request is fulfilled. Then look at the reverence in the fact that “her lips, as it is said, only moved, and her voice was not heard” (1 Samuel 1:13). With such a disposition, a person approaches God who sincerely desires to receive what he asks, in whom laziness, inattention, absent-mindedness, neglect, and carelessness have no place. And without prayer (someone will say) couldn’t God have granted (Anna son)? Did He really not know about this woman’s desire even before she began to pray? But if He had given (her a son) without asking, then the wife’s zeal would not have been revealed, her virtue would not have become visible, and she would not have received such a reward. Thus, it was not envy or hatred that was the cause of the long infertility, but (Divine) goodness. 4. So, when you hear the words of Scripture that (God) closed her womb, and that she suffered annoyance from her rival, then know that by this (God) wanted to show the wife’s wisdom. Look, in fact: (Anna) had a husband, completely submissive to her, who said to her: “Am I not better to you than ten sons?” (1 Samuel 1:8)? Meanwhile, her rival was driving her out of patience with her reproaches and attacks. And, however, (Anna) did not threaten her, did not quarrel with her, did not say (to her husband): “since my rival offends me, then exact it from her.” She had children. But this one also enjoyed her husband’s love. That is why he consoled her, saying: “Am I not better to you than ten sons?” But let us turn again to the wife’s wisdom. “Then Eli considered her,” it is said, “drunk” (1 Samuel 1:13). Look what she says to him: “Do not consider your servant a worthless woman, for out of my great sorrow and out of my sorrow I have spoken hitherto” (1 Samuel 1:16). Let go of anger and not be annoyed with people who reproach us, do not be upset, do not even justify yourself before them - only a person with a truly contrite heart can do this. Nothing disposes the soul so much to philosophy as contrition. There is nothing sweeter than crying for God. “For out of my great sorrow and out of my sorrow I have spoken hitherto.” Let us all imitate her. Take heed, ye barren! Listen, you who tenderly love your children! Take heed, husbands and wives! After all, husbands often helped in this case. Listen to what the Scripture says: “And Isaac prayed to the Lord for [Rebekah] his wife, because she was barren” (Gen. 25:21). Indeed, faith can produce great things. “with all constancy and prayer for all saints” - put yourself last. What do you want, blessed Paul, putting yourself in conclusion? This is what, he replies: “and for me, so that the word may be given to me - with my lips openly and boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am carrying out an embassy in chains.” To whom are you embassying? To people, he answers. What kindness on the part of God! He sent messengers from heaven with the news about Himself and about the world. And people meanwhile took them and bound them, not even respecting the universal law according to which in any case, the envoy is freed from any trouble. But even in the bonds of the embassy, the bonds threaten me with the deprivation of freedom to speak; therefore your prayer opens my lips, “to proclaim openly with boldness,” i.e. to say all that I have been sent to declare. “And so that you too may know about my circumstances and deeds, Tychicus, beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will inform you about everything.” Faithful means he will not lie about anything; on the contrary, he will tell everything in truth. “whom I sent to you for this very purpose, so that you would know about us and so that he would comfort your hearts.” Oh, how much love there is! So that there is no reason, he says, for anyone and whatever they want to intimidate you. In all likelihood, they were in some kind of misfortune, since the expression: “so that he may comfort your hearts” means: so that he (Tychicus) would not allow you to fall. “Peace to the brothers and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 6:23). (Paul) wishes them (the Ephesians) peace and love with faith. And it was not without purpose that he put it that way. He wants them not only to contain the word of love, (but wisely), and not to mix with Gentiles. Either this is what he means, or that they should maintain faith, so that they would encourage themselves with hope for the future. "Peace with God and love." If there is peace, then there will be love. And vice versa, where there is love, peace will appear. "with faith" There is no benefit from love without faith, or, better said, without faith love cannot exist at all. “Grace be with all who always love our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen" (Eph.6:24). Here he allowed division, placing the world separately, and grace too. It is said: “invariably... Amen.” What does “unchanging” mean? Either: decently, as it should, or: with the incorruptible, that is, those who live not for fame and wealth, but for incorruptible benefits. Ἐν (in) stands instead of: διά (through). So - through incorruption; it’s the same as saying: through virtue, because all sins in general are called corruption. Just as we use the expression about virgins: “such and such was corrupted,” the same is said about the soul. That is why Paul said: “So your minds are not corrupted” (2 Cor. 11:3). And in another place he says: “in teaching...incorruptibility” (Tit. 2:7). 5. In fact, tell me, what is the corruption of the body? Is it not when it all decomposes and its composition falls into pieces? This is what happens to the soul when sin reigns in it. Chastity and truth are the beauty of the soul, and courage and prudence are health for it. So, he is in danger who is vile and ugly, who is devoted to greed and deceit, who displays cowardice, timidity and weakness. That sins produce corruption is clear from the fact that they make people shameful and weak, and cause illness. When we say that virginity has been corrupted, we mean not only the corruption of the body, but mainly the fact that such a thing is associated with a violation of the law. The act itself consists of copulation. But if copulation were called corruption, then marriage would be the same. This means that corruption is not in copulation, but in sin - in breaking the law; it is he who makes the first shameful. Let's take another example. The decay of any house, what else would it consist of, if not rotting (of its constituent parts)? Yes, and everywhere decay is one change or another, but a change for the worse; everywhere it destroys the previous state of things and plunges them into another. Listen to what the Scripture says: “all flesh has perverted its way” (Gen. 6:12); and in another place: “In unbearable decay”; also: “people who are depraved in mind” (2 Tim. 3:8). Our body is perishable, but our soul is imperishable. How can we avoid exposing it to decay? Original sin made this (possible). Even after baptism, he can corrupt the soul and make it the prey of undying worms. But, on the other hand, (worms) cannot even touch the soul when they find it incorruptible. Adamant, for example, is not chewed by the worm; Yes, even if he started gnawing, he wouldn’t do anything. Take care, do not corrupt your soul, because what is smoldering is full of stench. Listen to what the prophet says: “My wounds stink and fester because of my madness” (Ps. 37:6). However, corruption itself will be clothed with incorruption, and not incorruption (in corruption), because where there is incorruption, there is no corruption. Thus, incorruptible corruption, without end, and immortal death are possible. This is exactly what will happen when bodies become immortal. Therefore, if we go there with corruption in our soul, then it will become incorruptible for us and will have no end. To constantly burn and be the constant food of worms, this, of course, is incorruptible corruption. A similar thing happened to blessed Job. It decayed, but did not collapse - and this went on for a long time. All I knew was that I was constantly pouring: “My body is covered with worms and dusty scabs” (Job 7:5). The soul experiences something similar to this during the time when worms surround it and begin to devour it, not two years, not three, ten or a hundred, not even thousands of years, but endlessly, as it is said: “where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched” (Mark 9:44). Let us be afraid, I beg you, let us be afraid of these words, lest we actually experience this. Covetousness is corruption - and a corruption that is more terrible than all types of corruption: it leads to idolatry. Let us abandon this corruption and choose that which is incorruptible. Have you acquired wealth at the expense of anyone? What you have acquired will be spent, but greed will remain with you. Again, corruption serves as a reason for incorruption. Pleasure passes, but sin remains - because it does not decay. It is an extreme misfortune if we do not get rid of all this in our present life, and whoever goes there, burdened with the weight of sins, will be subjected to great misfortune. “Into hell,” it is said, “who confesses You?” (Ps. 6:6) 5. There is a place of judgment, and then there will be no time to repent. How did the rich man cry then? And all in vain. How did those who did not feed Christ justify themselves? But they also went into eternal fire. How did those who spent their lives in lawlessness say then? "God! Have we not prophesied in Your name? and was it not in Your name that they cast out demons?” (Matthew 7:22)? But the Lord did not even recognize them as His own. True, all this will happen after death; but then help won’t help if we don’t help ourselves at the present time. Let us be afraid, lest we then say these words: “Then the righteous will answer Him: Lord! when did we see you hungry and feed you?” (Matthew 25:37)? Let us now begin to feed Him - and not just one day, not two or three. After all, it is said: “Let mercy and truth not forsake you” (Prov. 3:3), but it does not say: “do (some good) once or twice.” The virgins had oil, but there was not enough of it. Therefore, you need to stock up on a large amount of oil, and for this you need to become like fruitful olive trees in the house of God. Let's think about how much sinful burden each of us has, and in accordance with how many sins we have committed, we will try to accomplish the same feats of philanthropy, or even better, much more. Then not only will sins be blotted out, but righteous deeds will also appear that will serve to our justification. Otherwise, if our virtues are not able, on the one hand, to atone for crimes, and on the other hand, to become an excuse for us for what has been omitted, then no one will rescue us from torment, from which may we all be delivered by the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ, with whom to the Father and the Holy Spirit (glory, power, honor, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen). In Yungerov’s translation it means “devotion.” Translation by P. Yungerov – Editorial office of “The ABC of Faith” You might be interested in: