Беседа 7

Eph.3:8–11. To me, the least of all saints, this grace was given - to preach to the pagans the unsearchable riches of Christ. and to reveal to everyone what is the economy of the mystery that has been hidden from eternity in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ, so that the manifold wisdom of God may now be made known through the Church to the principalities and powers in heaven, according to the eternal purpose, which He fulfilled in Christ Jesus our Lord. The abundance of humility of the ap. Pavel. - How one should love one's enemies. Whoever visits a hospital does not just visit it, but with the intention of learning how to heal and use medicine. So we, gathered here, not only gathered, but to learn the abundance of Paul’s humility. What exactly? Intending to speak about the greatness of God's grace, listen to what he says: “To me, the least of all saints, this grace was given.” He showed humility in that he mourned past sins, already corrected, remembered them, and was modest to the point that he called himself a blasphemer, a persecutor and an offender; but nothing can be compared with what he says now. Before, he says, I was such and such, and calls himself a monster; but when now, having completely corrected himself, he still humiliates himself and calls himself least of all, this is truly great and extraordinary modesty. "To me, the least of all saints." He did not say: (to the least) apostles, so he used an expression more humiliating than this last one. Elsewhere he said: “Neither am I worthy to be called an Apostle” (1 Cor. 15:9); here he calls himself even the least of all the saints: “To me,” he says, “the least of all saints, this grace has been given.” What kind? “To preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ and to reveal to everyone what is the dispensation of the mystery that has been hidden from eternity in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ, so that now the manifold wisdom may be made known through the Church to the principalities and powers in heaven.” God." Even if this was not revealed to people, do you really enlighten the angels, the rulers, and the authorities? I enlighten, he says, because it was hidden in God, “who created everything through Jesus.” And you dare to say this? Yes, I dare you, he said. But how did this become known to the angels? the wisdom of God, but “manifold.” So what, then, did the angels not know it at all? If they did not know it in the beginning, then neither did they know it? Послушай, что ангел говорит Иосифу: «наречешь Ему имя Иисус, ибо Он спасет людей Своих от грехов их» ( Мф.1:21 ). He (Paul) was sent to the Gentiles, and those (the other apostles) were sent to the circumcision. Потому-то особенно удивительны и поразительны его слова: «Мне, наименьшему... дана» . Но и это было делом благодати, что меньшему были поручены истины величайшие, что он был их благовестником, – ведь сделавшийся благовестником величайшего через это становится велик и сам. “To preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Если богатство (Христа) остается неисследованным даже и после Его явления, то тем более неисследованно существо Его. Если и теперь еще есть здесь тайна, то тем более была она прежде, нежели узнали ее. You call it a mystery (the wealth of Christ’s love) because it was not known either to the angels or to anyone else. “And reveal to everyone,” he says, “what is the dispensation of the mystery that has been hidden from eternity in God, who created everything by Jesus Christ.” The angels knew only that “for the portion of the Lord is His people” (Deut. 32:9). Moreover, in another place it is said: “The prince of the kingdom of Persia stood against me” (Dan. 10:13). Therefore it is not surprising if they did not know this. If they did not know what concerned the return (of the Israelites), then much less could they know this (the riches of Christ's love), since it was revealed through the gospel. He, he says, will save His people Israel. Nothing is said here about the pagans; but the Spirit reveals them. It was known about their calling, but that at the same time they would sit on the throne of God, who could expect this, who could believe this? “Hidden,” he says, “in God.” However, this “economy” (about the salvation of the pagans) is revealed more clearly in the Epistle to the Romans. “In God,” he says, “who created all things by Jesus Christ.” He did well that, remembering creation, he said: “By Jesus Christ.” After all, He who created everything through Him reveals this through Him: “And without Him,” it is said, “nothing began to be” (John 1:3). Having spoken about principles and powers, he spoke about both things above and below. “From eternity.” Now, he says, it has been accomplished, but not now determined, but destined from ancient times. “from eternity in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ” - that is, according to the foreknowledge of the centuries, knowing in advance the future, the coming centuries, because he knew what would happen, and determined it accordingly. “from eternity” - of course, those who were created by Jesus Christ, because through Christ “All things ... began to be” (John 1:3). “In whom we have,” he says, “boldness and sure access through faith in Him” (Eph. 3:12). Not as captives, he says, we are brought, not as those awarded forgiveness, not as sinners: “we have,” he says, “boldness and sure access through faith,” that is, with boldness (we hope). Why is this? By faith in Him. “Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations for your sake, which are your glory” (Eph. 3:13). Why about them? And why (his sorrows) constitute them glory? Because God so loved them that He gave His Son for them, and gave His servants (the apostles) to suffer. In fact, Paul was in chains so that they would receive such benefits! God also says about the prophets: “He smote them with the words of My mouth” (Hos. 6:5). This means that they were afraid and embarrassed. He also writes about this to the Thessalonians, saying: “so that no one will be shaken by these tribulations” (1 Thessalonians 3:3). One should not only not grieve, but also rejoice. However, if a prediction can console you, then we predict that we will experience sorrow here. Why? Because the Lord commanded so. “For this purpose I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and on earth is named” (Eph. 3:14–15). Here (the apostle) shows the distinctive feature of his prayer for them. He did not simply say, “I pray,” but said, “I bow my knees,” and thereby expressed his intense prayer for them. “From whom every fatherland is named.” He no longer speaks (about the fatherland, which was divided) “according to the number of the sons of Israel” (Deut. 32:8), but about the One who created both the high and low tribes, not like those of Judah. “May He grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith” (Eph. 3:16–17). Look with what insatiability he asks them for benefits so that they do not hesitate. How is this accomplished? “By His Spirit in your inner man, Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” How exactly? “That you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge” (Eph. 3:18–19). What (the apostle) prayed for at the beginning is what he prayed for now. What did he talk about at the beginning? “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation to the knowledge of Him, and may enlighten the eyes of your heart, that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what are the riches of His glorious inheritance for the saints, and how beyond measure the greatness of His power is among us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power” (Eph. 1:17-19). And now he says the same thing: “so that you...may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height,” that is, (may you be able) to know with accuracy the mystery of the economy of our salvation. By breadth and length and depth and height he calls the knowledge of the riches of God's love - how it has spread everywhere. He describes it with bodily features, adapting to human concepts; (that’s why she says) that she hugged both the upper and lower and those located on the sides. We said, he says, that this can be taught not by our word, but by the Holy Spirit. “He must be firmly established,” he says, “against temptations and deceptions, because there is no other way to be strengthened in goodness than through trials and with the help of the grace of God. And about how Christ dwells in hearts, listen to what He himself says: I, “and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). but in the hearts of believers who are established and do not waver in love for Him, “so that you can,” he says, “that is, a lot of strength is needed.” And why this strength is needed, explaining this, he adds: “so that you, rooted and established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to understand the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled. with all the fullness of God" (Eph. 3:18-19). This means: although the love of Christ is above all human knowledge, yet you will know it if Christ dwells in you - and not only will you know it, but “that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” By the fulfillment of God he means the knowledge of that which is in the Father and the Son and the Holy. The spirit gives worship to God, or encourages one to perform those deeds through which one could be filled with such virtues as God is filled with. “But to Him who, by the power that works within us, is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Eph. 3:20). He said it well: “by force,” because force tends to get what we never expected. And what (God) does for us more than we “ask or... imagine” is clear from what (the apostle) himself wrote. “I,” he says, “pray; and even without my prayer He will do more than our requests - and not just more or more abundantly, but “incomparably more than anything” - an expression that shows the special greatness of the gift. Where can this be seen? From the power, he says, acting in us - because we never asked for it or expected it. “To him be glory in the church in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, from age to age. Amen" (Eph. 3:21). The apostle did well to conclude his word with prayer and praise: we must glorify and bless Him who has given us such blessings. It is also worthy of wonder that for the gifts we have received from God, we glorify (Him) in Christ Jesus. This is also well said: “To him be glory in the Church,” because it is known that the Church will always exist. And since she always remains, then (the apostle) wants us to glorify God until the end of the world, which he explained when he said: “to all generations.” It is also necessary to say, what is fatherland (πατριαί)? Here (on earth) the word fatherland (generation) refers to childbirth; but how will there be a birth in heaven, where no one is born one from another? Probably (the apostle) here calls the heavenly hosts fatherland, since in Scripture the generation of Merarino is called a host (Num. 4:33). (The apostle) does not ask everything from God, but demands from them faith and love, and not just love, but love that is rooted in us and firm, such love that the winds would not shake or anything else would destroy. (The Apostle) said that tribulations make up glory; if such are my sorrows, how much more so are your own. So, sorrows do not yet serve as a sign that we have been abandoned (by God): he who has shown such kindness to us, of course, will not abandon us. If (the Apostle) Paul needed prayer and the help of the Spirit so that he could recognize the love of God, then who after this will know the being of Christ, guided only by speculation? Is it really so difficult to know that God loves us? Very difficult, beloved! Some do not even know this - which is why, as they say, thousands of evils happen in the world - while others do not know the measure (of this love). Paul does not seek this measure and does not want to measure it (love); and how could he do it? But he says that it is an excellent and great thing to know (the wealth of love), and that he can prove this very thing by the knowledge that we have been awarded. What is greater than having Christ “strongly” and “established” in you? He says that we ask a lot (from God); but He can do much more for us than we ask, so that we not only love Him, but also love Him deeply. Let us try, beloved, to know the love of God. This is important for us: nothing else brings us so much benefit, nothing else elevates us so much. The knowledge of this love can act on souls more than the fear of Gehenna. How do we know it? Both from what has been said and from what is happening every day. Why, in fact, was all this created? For what need? Not for anyone. The reason for the existence of both creatures above and below is one love (of God). But this love is especially evident from the fact that He does good to people without receiving anything from them in advance. Therefore, in imitation of Him, we too will do good to our enemies; we will not reject those who hate us and turn away from us. This makes us like God. If, it is said, you love the one who loves, what is the use? This is what the pagans do too (Matthew 5:46–47). But what is a sign of true love? Love for the hater. I want to give an example, and - forgive me - not finding it in the field of spiritual objects, I borrow it from carnal life. Can't you see the lovers? How many insults they suffer from their mistresses, how much deceit, how much harm, how much they are tormented and withered by them - and, nevertheless, they love them more than their own souls, spending nights at their doors. Let us learn from this example, of course, not to love these dissolute women, but to love our enemies in this way. In fact, tell me, don’t (mistresses with those addicted to them) act worse than all enemies? Do they not squander their property, do they personally insult them, and do they not command them with greater authority than their slaves? However, (the lovers) are not far behind them. And no one has such an enemy as a lover has in his mistress, because the mistress is proud of him, and dishonors him, and often abuses him, and treats him the more contemptuously, the more she is loved by him. What is more beast-like than a soul with such a mood? However, they love (lovers of their mistresses). However, now we will find such love among spiritual (people) - not today, because now it has cooled - but among ancient, great and wondrous men. Blessed Moses surpassed those who have passionate love. How and in what way? First, having left the royal court with its luxury, honors and glory, he chose rather to be with the Israelites. But another would not only not do this, on the contrary, he would blush if someone caught him being related not only to slaves, but also to people who are considered criminals. Not only was he not ashamed of his kinship, but he also showed himself to be the most zealous defender (of the Israelites) and for their sake he himself was exposed to danger. How? Seeing, it is said, that one was offending the other, he defended the offended one and killed the offender. But he didn’t do this for his enemies. True, this act was great, but not as great as what happened afterwards. The next day he saw the same thing, and seeing that he was offending the one for whom he had avenged (yesterday), he convinced him not to offend. And this man, out of his extreme lack of gratitude, says (to him): “Who made you a leader and a judge over us?” ( Exodus 2:14 )? Who wouldn't be annoyed by such words? If the previous deed had been committed under the influence of anger and reckless irritability, then this man (Moses) would have killed. The one for whom this was done would not report him. But he, says (Scripture), said so because they were related to each other; on the contrary, being himself offended, he does not say anything like this: “Who made you a leader and judge over us?” Why didn't you say that yesterday? The insult inflicted by you and your cruelty made me a prince and a judge. But, notice, now some say this to God. They want (God) to be cruel to those who offend them, and they accuse Him of being patient with them, although they themselves, when offending others, do not do this. What is more offensive than such words? However, even after this, when he was sent to the unappreciative and ungrateful, (Moses) went and did not refuse. Not only that; when, after the signs and wonders he had performed, they intended to stone him, and he avoided their hands - remaining, however, the subject of their constant murmur - (the prophet) loved them with such love that, after the people had committed a well-known grave sin, he said to God: “Forgive them their sin, and if not, then blot me out of Your book, in which You have written” (Ex. 32:32). I would rather, he says, perish with them than to be saved without them. This is truly a non-reasoning, some kind of passionate love! And what are you saying? Don't you value the sky? I don’t value it, he says, because I love those who have sinned. Do you want to be erased? How could it be otherwise? “I love you,” he says. Meanwhile, what happened next? Listen to what Scripture says in another place: and Moses was embittered for their sake, “and Moses suffered for them” (Ps. 105:32). How many times did they insult him! How many times were both he and his brother abandoned! How many times have you wanted to return to Egypt! And after all this he burned and flamed (with love), and was ready to suffer for them. This is how you should love your enemies! Being subjected to their attacks, torment, suffering hardships from them, one must wish for their salvation. Yes, and Paul, tell me, didn’t you want to be thrown into Gehenna instead of them (the Israelites)? But one cannot help but cite the Master himself as an example, as He did when He said: “He commands His sun to rise on the evil and on the good” (Matthew 5:45). He (our Savior) cites the Father as an example; and we will bring Him - Christ. He came to us - I mean His economy - became a slave for our sake, humbled Himself, exhausted Himself, took on the form of a slave; having come (to earth), although he himself did not follow the path of tongues, he commanded this to his disciples, and not only did this, but also went around (to various places), healing every disease and every infirmity. So what? Everyone marveled and said in bewilderment: “Where did He get all this from?” (Matthew 13:56)? And those who received benefits from Him said: “He is possessed of a demon” (John 10:20), He is a blasphemer, a madman and a deceiver (Matthew 9:3, 27:63). Well, did He drive them away from Himself? No; on the contrary, hearing this, he did even more good, going to those who intended to crucify Him, as if He was supposed to serve them for salvation. And being crucified, what did He say? “Father! forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Both before and after suffering evil, He did everything for them and prayed for them until His last breath. And after the crucifixion, what did you not do for them? Didn't he send apostles? Didn't he show signs? Didn’t he shake the earth for them? This is how we should love our enemies in imitation of Christ! This is what Paul did: stoned, enduring thousands of sufferings, he did everything for them (his enemies). Listen to what he says: “My heart's desire and prayer to God ... is for salvation” (Rom. 10:1); and again: “For I testify to them that they have a zeal for God” (Rom. 10:2); and again: “If ... you, a wild olive tree, were grafted into their place and became a sharer of the root and juice of the olive tree” (Rom. 11:17). With what tender love does he say these words, with what kindness? This is impossible to say, truly impossible! This is how you should love your enemies. Love for enemies is love for God, who gave commandments and laws, and is imitation of Him. Know that when you show benefits to your enemies, you are not doing good to them, but to yourself; you are not loving them, but obeying God. So, knowing this, let us be established in mutual love, so that, having fulfilled it exactly, we may receive the promised benefits in Christ Jesus our Lord, with whom to the Father with the Holy Spirit be glory, power, honor, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. 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