Беседа 14

Phil.4:4–7. Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say: rejoice. Let your meekness be known to all people. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 1. “Blessed are those who mourn,” and: “Woe to you who laugh” (Matthew 5:4; Luke 6:25), says Christ. Why does Paul say: “Rejoice in the Lord always”? (The Apostle) does not contradict Christ - not at all. Christ said: “Woe to you who laugh,” meaning the laughter of this world in relation to present affairs; and he called blessed not those mourners who mourn only the loss of property, but those who grieve and cry over their own iniquities, reflecting on the sins of their own or those of others. This crying is not opposed to that joy; even more - it comes from this crying, because the one who mourns and confesses his untruths rejoices. Otherwise (to say), you can cry about your sins, but rejoice in Christ. And so, since (the Philippians) languished under the burden of suffering - “because it has been given to you,” it is said, “not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,” then he says: “Rejoice in the Lord always.” These words mean nothing more than - lead such a life as to rejoice. Therefore, when things for God are accomplished for you without hindrance, rejoice. So, either this is what (the apostle) says, or the preposition about (έν) is used (instead of (συν); as if he were saying: “Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say: rejoice.” This is what he says, characteristic of someone who is strongly confident, and who shows that he who abides in God always rejoices. Whether such a one grieves or endures something, he always rejoices. Listen to what he tells Luke about the apostles: “They went out from the Sanhedrin, rejoicing, because they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 5:41). If whips and bonds, which seem to be most painful, produce joy, then what else can cause us sorrow? “And again I say: rejoice.” “Let your meekness be known to all men.” Above, he said: “Their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame; they think about earthly things.” And since it seemed likely that (the Philippians) would react unfriendly to evil (people), (the apostle) exhorts that, although they have nothing in common with such people, at the same time they should treat with great meekness not only their brothers, but even their enemies and enemies. “The Lord is near. Don't worry about anything." Why, tell me, are you depressed? Because they rebel against you? Because you see their cheerful life? "Don't worry about anything." The judgment has already arrived; soon they will give an answer to their deeds. But you are in sorrow, and they are in joy? This will end soon. But are they treacherous and threatening? And this will not be tolerated for long; the judgment is already near, when everything will be the opposite. “Do not worry about anything”: the time has come for retribution. Whether you deal meekly with those who are preparing disasters for you, whether poverty, death, or any other evil befalls you, everything will stop. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” So, the first consolation is that “the Lord is near”, and in the promise: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). Here is another consolation, which in sorrow, in misfortune, and in all sorrowful cases serves as a relieving medicine. What is it? Prayer and thanksgiving for everything. Therefore, He wants us to not only ask in our prayers, but also give thanks for what we have. And how can someone ask for the future who does not know how to give thanks for the past? But “always,” he says, that is, in every thing, “in prayer and petition.” So, one should give thanks for everything, even for what seems regrettable: this is the property of a truly grateful person. The first (thanksgiving for everything) is required by the very essence of things; and the last (thanksgiving for the sorrowful) comes from a grateful soul and strongly devoted to God. Such prayers are pleasing to God, but He does not listen to others. Therefore, pray for what pleases Him. He arranges everything for our benefit, although we do not understand. Even the very things we don’t understand are very useful. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” What does it mean? “The peace of God,” that is, the peace that God has created with people, surpasses all understanding. Who could really expect, who could hope for such benefits? They are above not only every word, but also every human mind: for their enemies, for those who hate Him, turn away from Him - for them He did not spare to betray the Only Begotten Son in order to be reconciled with us. This peace, that is, reconciliation and the love of God, “will guard your hearts and your minds.” 2. The teacher’s job is not only to exhort, but also to pray and help (the students) through prayer, so that they do not fall under the weight of temptations and are not deceived; as if he had said this: whoever delivered you in such a way incomprehensible to the mind, may He preserve and strengthen you so that you do not suffer anything. So, either this explains (the apostle) or understands the peace about which Christ said: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you” (John 14:27), - may he preserve you. This is the world that surpasses every human mind. If you ask: how? - then listen. When the Lord commands to have peace with enemies who offend, arm themselves against us and hate us, is this not beyond human understanding? But let us pay special attention to the first words: “Peace that surpasses all understanding.” If peace (exceeds every mind), then how much more does God himself, the giver of peace, surpass every mind, not only ours, but even the mind of angels and the powers on high. What does “in Christ Jesus” mean? Let him remain in Him, he says, so that you may be steadfast and not fall away from your faith in Him. “Finally, my brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just” (Phil. 4:8). What does "Finally" mean? That is, everything has already been told to us. This expression is characteristic of someone who is in a hurry and does not pay any attention to the present. “Finally, my brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any excellence or if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What have you learned and heard and seen in me” (Phil. 4:9). What does “what is kind” mean? Dear to believers, dear to God. "Whatever is true". The absolutely true is the same as virtue, and a lie is the same as vice, since the pleasure of vice is a lie, and its glory is a lie, and everything in the world is a lie. “What is pure” is said in contrast to the expression: “they think about earthly things.” “What is fair” is the opposite: “Their god is the womb.” “What is just, what is honorable” - this is what he says (“think about”). "What is only virtue and praise". Here he instills in them care in their attitude towards people. “Think about this,” he says. Do you see that he wants to drive out every evil thought from our souls? After all, evil deeds come from (evil) thoughts. “What have you learned, what have you accepted?” Here is a wonderful teaching - with all the exhortations (the apostle) presents himself as an example, as in another place he says: “Who walk in the image” (Phil. 3:17); and here again: “What have you learned, what have you received”, that is, you have been instructed, “and have heard and seen in me” - both from words, and from actions, and from the way of life. Do you see that this commandment applies to everything? Since it was impossible to talk in detail about everything, about entrances, and about exits, and about words, and about appearance, and about friendship - and a Christian should take care of all this - he briefly and generally said: “they heard and saw in me,” that is, in my presence; as if he said this: I guided you both in deeds and words. “Do this,” not only say, but also do, “and the God of peace will be with you,” that is, if you keep this and have peace among yourself, then you will be in peace and great security, you will not experience anything unpleasant, and nothing contrary to your desires. If we have peace with God, and we have it through virtue, then much more will He abide with us. He Who loved us so much that He came to those who did not want (His coming) - will He not show His love much more if He sees those turning to Him? There is nothing so hostile to our nature as vice. And how vice is hostile and virtue is friendly is clear from everything. If you wish, let us first consider this in relation to one vice - fornication. Fornication makes people dishonest, poor, ridiculous and despicable for everyone - it does what enemies tend to do; and often he plunged into illness and danger; many also died from harlots and received wounds. If fornication does this, then much more does it do adultery. Are these really the consequences of alms? No way; on the contrary, she, like a child-loving mother, makes her child very modest, well-behaved, truly glorious, encourages us to do what is necessary, does not leave us, does not distract us from necessary matters, and makes the soul more intelligent. There is nothing more reckless than fornicators. However, don’t you want to see covetousness? And it does the same thing that an enemy would do for us. How? And it makes us hated by everyone; it produces the fact that everyone curses us - both the offended and the not offended - the latter sympathize with the former, but fear for themselves; everyone looks at them (covetous people) as universal enemies, as wild animals, as demons; everywhere there are countless reproaches, treachery, envy - everything that is characteristic of enemies. The truth, on the contrary, makes everyone our friends, everyone’s friends and well-wishers: everyone prays for us; As a result, our situation becomes completely safe, there is no trouble or suspicion at all, we fall asleep fearlessly, calmly, not worried about anything, not tormented by anything. 3. Do you see that she is much better? Well, tell me, is it better to envy or rejoice at another? Let us examine all this, and we will find that virtue, like a truly child-loving mother, makes people safe; and vice, plunging into danger, is an unreliable and dangerous thing. Listen to what the prophet says: “The Lord is the strength of those who fear Him, and He will show His covenant to them” (Ps. 24:14). He is not afraid of anyone who does not recognize any evil in himself; but he who lives viciously does not rely on anyone, but trembles even before slaves and looks at them suspiciously. What am I saying in front of the slaves? He cannot endure the judgments of conscience. Not only external, but also internal thoughts disturb him and do not allow him to be calm. So what do you say? Should one live for praise? (Paul) did not say: look to the praise, but do what is praiseworthy, but not for the sake of praise. “Whatever is true”: and praise is a lie. “What is honest, what is pure”: honest means external, pure spiritual dignity. Do not, he says, cause stumbling and do not give cause (2 Cor. 6:3). Since he said: “Whatever is praiseworthy,” so that you would not think that he was simply talking about attitude towards people, he added: “Whatever is virtue and praise, think about it, then do it.” He wants us to constantly remain in this, to strive for this, to think about this. If we have peace among ourselves, then God will be with us; but if we start a war, then the God of peace will not be with us. Nothing is so hostile to the soul as vice; and conversely, nothing makes it safe as much as peace and virtue. Therefore, we must begin with what concerns us, and then we will attract God to ourselves. God is not a God of hostility and war. Therefore, leave hostility and war both with God and with your neighbor, live peacefully with everyone. Think about whom God saves: “Blessed,” He says, “are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). Such constantly imitate the Son of God, and you imitate Him: live peacefully. The more your brother is at enmity against you, the greater the reward awaits you. Listen to what the prophet says: “Long has my soul lived with those who hate peace.” (Ps. 119:6). This is virtue, this is beyond the human mind, this brings us closer to God. There is nothing so pleasing to God as forgetfulness of malice. It frees you from sins, blots out your guilts; and when we scold and fight, we move away from God. From bickering comes enmity, and from enmity comes malice. Cut the root and there will be no fruit; In this way we will learn to despise the things of this world. There is no, truly there is no struggle over spiritual things; but everything that you see happens, be it struggle, envy, or whatever anyone might name, happens because of everyday objects: every struggle has its beginning either in covetousness, or in envy, or in vanity. Therefore, if we live peacefully, we will learn to despise earthly things. Has anyone stolen your property? He did not offend you at all, as long as he did not steal the riches above. Has your glory been hindered? If only it would not be glory with God, but insignificant glory, which is actually not glory, but only the name of glory, or better - disgrace. Has your honor been stolen? Not from you (he stole), but from himself. Just as an offender does not offend another, but himself, so one who deceives his neighbor first of all destroys himself, because whoever digs a hole for his neighbor falls into it himself. So, let us not be deceitful against others, so as not to harm ourselves. When we begin to overthrow the glory of others, let us remember that we are harming ourselves, that we are deceiving more against ourselves. And indeed, although having overcome (the enemy) we will harm him before people, we will offend ourselves before God, having irritated Him. So, let's not harm ourselves. And just as by offending our neighbors we offend ourselves, so by doing good to them we do ourselves good. Therefore, when an enemy has harmed you, in this case, thinking that he has shown you a benefit, if you are prudent, not only do not repay him with equal harm, but also do good. But you will say: the blow is very noticeable. Think about the fact that not only are you not doing good to your enemy, but you are also punishing him while doing good to yourself - and you will immediately begin to do good. Well? Is it really possible, you say, to do (good) with such an intention? It should not be done with such an intention; but when your heart cannot bear (insults), then bow it in this way, and you will soon decide to leave hostility; after that you will do good to your enemy as to a friend, and in this way you will receive future blessings, which we all may be worthy to achieve in Christ Jesus (our Lord, to whom be glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen). You might be interested in: