Глава III

Ignorance of Divine commandments is not an excuse for a person 5. So, from those who have learned the Divine commandments, the excuse that people usually use when citing their ignorance is taken away. But those who do not know the law of God will not escape punishment. For those who sinned without having the law will perish without the law, and those who sinned under the law will be judged according to the law 38 . And it seems to me that the apostle did not say this as if he wanted to indicate that those who sin and do not know the law will suffer something worse than those who do. For it may seem that to perish is much worse than to be judged, but since this is said about the pagans and Jews (of whom the latter received the law, and the former live without the law), then who will dare to say that the Jews who sinned in the law will not perish - after all, they did not believe in Christ - although it is said about them: they will be judged according to the law? For without faith in Christ no one can be set free, so that they too will be judged in this way that they will perish. After all, if the condition of those who do not know the law of God is worse than the condition of those who know it, then how will it be true what the Lord said in the Gospel: The servant who did not know the will of his Master and did something worthy of punishment will be beaten less, but the one who knew the will of his Master and did something worthy of punishment will be beaten a lot 39? Behold, the Lord shows here that he who knows sins more gravely than he who does not know. However, because of this, one should not retreat into the darkness of ignorance in order to look for excuses in it. For it is one thing not to know, and another thing to not want to know. After all, [when Scripture says]: He did not want to understand in order to do good, 40 then the reproach here refers to the will of the one about whom it is spoken. But that unbelief, which is characteristic not of those who do not want to know, but of those who simply do not know, will serve no one as an excuse; it will not save anyone [such ignorance] from burning in eternal fire; It will rather lead to greater grief if a person did not believe for the reason that he had not heard at all what he should believe in. For it is not without reason that it is said: Pour out Your wrath on the nations who have not known You 41 and also in the apostle: When He comes in a flame of fire to take revenge on those who do not know God 42 . And so that we have this very knowledge, so that no one says: “I did not recognize, did not hear, did not understand,” the human will moves towards this where it is said: Do not want to be like a horse and a mule, who have no reason 43. Although even worse will be the one about whom it is said: A foolish slave cannot learn by words; because, although he understands them, he does not obey 44. And when a person says: “I cannot do what is commanded, for my lust overcomes me,” 45 then he no longer seeks any excuse for his ignorance and does not blame God in his heart, but recognizes evil in himself and suffers from his evil, so that the words of the apostle are addressed to him: Do not desire to be overcome by evil, but overcome evil is good 46. And it is clear that when it is said: Do not wish to be defeated, this speech is undoubtedly addressed to his free decision. For to desire and not to desire depends on his own will. De gratia et libero arbitrio (CPL 352). Translation based on the publication: Patrologiae Cursus Completus. Series Latina. Accurante J.-P. Migne. Paris, 1845. T. 44, Col. 881–912. Compare: 2 Thessalonians 1:7–8. To the Synod. Transl.: At the appearance of the Lord Jesus from heaven, with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God.